Wheeldon's Morphoses was great again this year!

I loved MORPHOSES for the second year running. They just performed at City Center. This is one of my favorite pictures this year because it shows what variety there was with the dancers at the same time that they made an exciting and cohesive ensemble together. Leading on the right is Leanne Benjamin (a principal dancer at the Royal Ballet) who is in her 40's and I would never believe that if I hadn't read it in numerous reviews. Smallest dancer, 4th in, Beatriz Stix-Brunell is still a student and only 15,  and I wouldn't believe that either, except I remember her not that long ago when she was still at SAB in the children's division and in the Nutcracker. My favorite was Drew Jacoby, 3rd from the right, who is an exotic amazonian creature, extremely tall and powerful and magnificent.

For Morphoses's 2nd year, Christopher Wheeldon again gathered an amazing group of 19 dancers, guesting mainly from  New York City Ballet, The Royal Ballet, and The Norwegian National Ballet. While I missed some of the dancers from last year (I am remembering Darcey Bussell and Aesha Ash - this is my report last year), it was very exciting to see this year's group. His long term goal is to assemble a permanent full time company but in the mean time his dancers gather from various places. I went to see both programs, both excellent, which included pieces by both Wheeldon and several other choreographers. In our house a week later we are still talking about SHUTTERS SHUT, a short 3 minute piece danced to words, a recording of Gertrude Stein reciting her own poem. Choreographed by Lightfoot Leon and danced by Andreas Heise and Christine Thomassen from the Norwegian Ballet, it was perfection: these two dancers were sharp and exact and perfectly coordinated together in their timing as if they were one, plus they were very funny. 

I also went to the free "open house" on Sunday for some behind-the-scenes, which I always enjoy! As we came into the theater, the dancers were in the midst of "class" on stage, with teacher, Jeffrey Edwards, and pianist. It was fun to see the group in their assortment of get-ups: leg warmers, bodies bundled up in a variety of ways, casual but working hard (Maria Kowroski was chewing gum!).  Only Beatriz was in a simple leotard and pink tights, hair very neat in a bun: reminding us that she is still a student, even if she dances like someone older. As Wheeldon said later, class is for warming up both the body and the mind, to get ready for for the day's rehearsals and performances. Not only does the body, but also the mind, needs to limber up and strengthen. Through doing the combinations the dancers get ready both mentally and physically for their day ahead. It is always completely awe-inspiring to me how dancers remember everything they do!

Following class, Wheeldon had a short rehearsal with Beatriz to go over some notes from the previous evening's performance of Commedia (the ballet in the picture above). He said he choreographed Commedia as a sort of a preview to celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Ballet Russes next year in 2009.  (Remember the wonderful documentary, Ballet Russes: I loved the part when the four 14-year old "baby ballerinas" met up again at the Ballet Russes reunion when they were in their 80s! It struck me that Wheeldon has his own "baby ballerina" right now!) With her attentive and obedient poise Beatriz seems both mature beyond her years and very much 15. It was fun seeing them work one on one - and what attention to detail! Then as a little bonus, we got a run-through of Shutter Shut. Speaking for a moment afterwards, Christine admitted that it had been a lot of work to learn this piece. I can believe that it must be a real mind/body challenge for the dancers - these two were fantastic! A few questions and answers with charming and amiable Wheeldon finished up the hour. He talked about his choreographic process, saying that the music always comes first. He listens to the music ALOT before he gets into the studio with his dancers. He said the rehearsal period is always short, out of necessity, and that he works with his dancers on the spot, developing ideas there in the studio. He clearly loves his dancers and it is no surprise that he draws the best out them in his process. The "open house" was very warm and friendly and certainly put me in an eager mood for the afternoon's performance. Just too bad that it was the last performance of their too short season. On all fronts, this year was a big success, and I'm already looking forward to next year!  What projects does he have planned for celebrating the Ballet Russes? What repertory will he create and what dancers will he bring together next season? It's great to hear Morphoses is going places (Australia in January and more!) It certainly must be hard getting a new ballet company off the ground and it is great that it going so well!

For Matt Murphy's excellent and in depth interview with Wheeldon click here: Ranting Details

For the vivid and full descriptions of the programs plus the best collection of photos that I have seen gathered in one place, read Oberon's Grove, here and here and here

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