Review: The Adventures of DON QUIXOTE Danced to Perfection by Los Angeles Ballet

The Los Angeles Ballet continues its mission to offer world-class professional ballet to greater Los Angeles with their World Premiere of DON QUIXOTE as part of their tenth season presenting the perfect embodiment of the Romantic ideal. The season includes four full-length story ballets including new productions of Don Quixote and Romeo and Juliet, as well as the return of the company's critically-acclaimed productions of Giselle and The Nutcracker presented earlier this season.

With the exception of Romeo and Juliet, all are choreographed by Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, and I am greatly looking forward to their Los Angeles premiere of Frederick Ashton's Romeo and Juliet in May 2016. "We are thrilled to be the first American company to perform this tremendous piece, a work of classical genius," says Christensen. Shakespeare's timeless tragedy of star-crossed lovers is unforgettably expressed in dance, drama, and Prokofiev's timeless score creates the embodiment of their tragically romantic love affair.

But first, you can enjoy a classic romantic fantasy by seeing DON QUIXOTE, which premiered at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center on February 20 and continues for two more performances on February 27 at the Alex Theater in Glendale and March 26 at UCLA's Royce Hall. It's a performance for all ages with amazing artistry, gravity-defying leaps and spins, and a collection of wondrously colorful costumes designed by Nicholas Georgiadas.

DON QUIXOTE is a fantastic ballet filled with the dreams of the Don (Adam Lüders), the love of Kitri and Basilio (technically perfect and emotionally evocative dancers Julie Cinquemani and Kenta Shimizu) and the adventures that follow them during this epic tale. There is something for everyone: humor, love, adventure and lots of beauty, especially during the Barcelona marketplace scene in Act 1 when Don Quixote arrives on a large "horse" with lance in hand, immediately challenging the top hat wearing and parasol toting Gamache (comically embodied to a tee by Zheng Hua Li) to a duel over the lovely Kitri.

After being mocked and chased away, Don Quixote is entertained by Lorenzo (Saxon Wood) and the matadors, who dance a lively Spanish-flavored, leap-filled ballet with their leader Espada (tall and blond Erik Thordal-Christensen, a joy to behold with his athletic artistry, complete with magnificent cape work). Don Quixote is then charmed by the street dancer Mercedes (Alyssa Bross, dressed in a sexy black and red gypsy costume). Don Quixote loves the attention being paid to him by Kitri's friend (flirty dancers Bianca Bulle and Kate Highstrete), but still envisions Kitri as his Dulcinea, even though she tricks him and runs off with her true love, Basilio.

Desiring to accomplish more before his life ends, Don Quixote sets off on further adventures with gypsies and windmills, attacking a marketplace marionette show (featuring some of the youngest dancers in the company), and frolicking in Dulcinea's garden with its enchanting creatures during a dream, all the while being attended to by his ever-present manservant Sancho Panza (David Renaud) who enjoys his own flirtation with many of the ladies who literally sweep him off his feet.

DON QUIXOTE has a lively cast of characters from village folk to gypsies to flamenco dancers who will enthrall audiences of all ages. Along with the incredible soloists, all of the ensemble work is perfectly executed throughout the production, with coordinated tambourine and fan accompaniment in their most spectacular number. Artistic Director Colleen Neary says the character variety is a fun challenge for LAB dancers as she coaches them to embrace each character's physical attributes, and she has succeeded spectacularly.

With Choreography by Colleen Neary & Thordal Christensen after Marius Petipa & Alexander Gorsky, Music by Ludwig Minkus & Riccardo Drigo, Lighting Designed by Tyler Lambert-Perkins, and Sets & Costumes Designed by Nicholas Georgiadas, DON QUIXOTE has just two more performances on February 27 at 7:30pm at the Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd. in Glendale, CA 91203 and on March 26 at 7:30pm at Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive on the UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90095. To order tickets by phone, call 310.998.7782, Monday - Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm. Tickets may also be purchased online http://losangelesballet.org/org at the box office on the night of each performance.

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