Review: Houston Ballet Presents An Unforgettable SLEEPING BEAUTY

There is something to be said for a timeless fairy tale and even more to be said for a captivating ballet. Houston Ballet gives us both with THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, a work chosen to honor choreographer Ben Stevenson's 80th year. With Tchaikovsky's soaring score and Stevenson's masterful choreography this ballet is thought to be the zenith of the golden age of ballet, and for good reason.

The curtain goes up and it feels like we have snuck inside a gorgeous Zelinsky picture book.

It's a great escape, that's for sure.

The story is a classic and well-known to most everyone. Princess Aurora is being christened at the royal palace and the fairies are there to give her special gifts. Before the Lilac Fairy can bestow her gift, the evil fairy Carabosse, angry that she didn't receive an invitation, arrives with her henchmen to cast a viscious spell on the baby: she will one day prick her finger and die. Luckily the Lilac Fairy is proficient at damage control and alters the curse; the princess will not die, but sleep until the spell is undone by a princely kiss. One hundred years pass. That's a heck of a long time to wait for a kiss, and luckily the prince is quick about it once he finds our princess in her gorgeous bedroom. Act III is full of wedding splendor, with the commoners and royals celebrating the promise of happily-ever-after.

The story is simple. The production is anything but.

Desmond Heeley's costumes and sets are luxe and opulent. Glittering ballgowns in metal hues, frothy fairy dresses in candy colors, a wedding party in sumptuous red and gold, and silvery dream fairies conjuring an image of Aurora in an icy white tutu with silver accents provide plenty of bling and eye candy, but it's tasteful, rich eye candy. Heeley's sets are breathtaking as well, from the enormous silvery fountain in the second act to the glistening spider web scrim that shades Carabosse, to the gold moldings and candles in the final act. It's purely gorgeous and decadent.

The cast matches the excellence of the production quality. Sara Webb is innocent, pure and delightful as Aurora, and manages to show maturity and elegance as the story progresses. Webb's dancing is light and fluid and her trademark musicality makes her Aurora extra special. This is a demanding role that requires excellent technique and it is exhilarating to watch Webb, whether she's holding a position en pointe for a masterfully long time or dancing the Rose Adagio with her four visiting princes.

Dancing the part of the Lilac Fairy, Yuriko Kajiya is sheer grace and benevolence. Dancers Allison Miller, Elise Elliott, Ian Casady, and Connor Walsh build a beguiling and powerful Pas de Quatre. Jared Matthews is the quintessential prince and dances with sensitivity and strength, especially with Webb. Everybody loves a villain (at least I do) and Melody Mennite is fiery and strident as the evil Carabosse. Karina Gonzalez is elegant and sure as Princess Florine, and Charles-Louis Yoshiyama is an inspiration as Bluebird. Yoshiyama is a dynamic and fluid dancer, and I thoroughly enjoyed his time on stage. Harper Watters and Natalie Varnum dance the roles of Puss In Boots and The White Cat, respectively, and add a needed comedic reprieve (the show is 3 hours long, after all) with their feline choreography.

This is an iconic ballet with all the drama and beauty that one would expect. Houston Ballet doesn't disappoint. Get your tickets now.

For Tickets:http://www.houstonballet.org

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY Show Schedule:

At 7:30 pm on February 25, 26, 27, March 4, 5, 2016

At 2:00 pm on February 28 and March 6, 2016

At 1:30 pm on February 27 and March 5, 2016

Photo Credits: Amitava Sarkar

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