BWW Reviews: Maine State Ballet Mounts Swashbuckling LE CORSAIRE

For its spring production Maine State Ballet presents a stylishly swashbuckling account of Le Corsaire, vividly choreographed by Linda MacArthur Miele (after Petipa) and elegantly designed by Gail Csoboth. The more than thirty-five principals, soloists, and corps de ballet, drawn from area professionals and talented young dancers in the company school form a cohesive troupe, who seem to have grown in polish and precision over the past few years and who are not afraid to tackle the demands of this large scale Romantic ballet.

Miele's choreography, tailored to the strengths of her dancers, does not shy away from incorporating as many of the original fireworks numbers as possible, and she skillfully tells the story in streamlined mime. Moreover, she has drilled the young corps dancers effectively instilling in them a feeling for line and graceful ensemble.

Gail Csoboth's sets and costumes have an air of magic to them. The shimmering blue drops depicting the pirate cove and the enchanted garden sparkle with fairytale wonder, and the elaborate costumes capture the exotic Orientalism of the piece. The uncredited lighting design unifies the whole and creates a dreamy gloss for this fantastical story of pirates, maidens, and harems. Using recorded music, the house sound system produces an acoustically balanced and musically expansive reading of Adolphe Adam's score.

The principals and soloists deliver appealing and, in some cases, bravura performances. Elizabeth Dragoni is a lyrical, maidenly Medora, possessed of an elegant line and a stunning arabesque, who, together with her pirate rescuer, Conrad, danced by Glenn Davis, incarnate a poetic pair of lovers. Their pas de deux in Act II combines refinement and ardor. Rhiannon Pelletier as her fellow captive Guinare, makes a dazzling impression in her first act solo, tossing off several dozen fouettés with crisp ease, and capturing the pert seductiveness of the character.

Frederick Bernier is the swarthy, sexy turncoat pirate, Birbanto, who demonstrates his athleticism in some excellently staged swordplay. Apprentice Nick Anderson makes a winsome Ali and displays youthful energy and growing technique in his first act solo, while James Herrera brings the Pasha to life with sly humor. Among the other solos Kallee Gallant and Shannon Dunbar distinguish themselves as the ribbon and heather sellers respectively, and Veronica Druchniak glitters confidently in the trio of Odalisques.

But once again, the performance belongs to a young dancer who quite simply knows how to light up a stage. Maiki Saito fearlessly dances the role of the trader, Lankendem, with éclat. Tall, lithe and charismatic, he invests every single gesture, every expression with drama, and he continues to grow as a technician. Entrusted with the first act pas de deux with Guinare and Medora, he displays a fine sense of line and executed some difficult lifts with apparent ease. In his own solos he delights the audience with the amazing ballon of his jumps and in the sword fights he brings not only an athletic agility but a sense of dramatic tension. Here is a talented young dancer of extraordinary versatility and already impressive technique, who also has that extra ingredient so vital to an artist - the ability to send a spark into the audience.

The virtually sold-out house at the April 4th performance rightfully greeted the company with warm appreciation of the vital resource this little company offers to Maine's artistic life.

Photos courtesy Maine State Ballet

Le Corsaire runs from April 3-12, 2015, at Maine State Ballet, 348 Route One, Falmouth, ME 207-781-7672 www.mainestateballet.org

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