Boston Ballet Presents A Stunning Finnish Fantasia - "Obsidian Tear" - Through November 12th

The spirit of Finland was in the air at the Boston Opera House from the opening strokes from Guest Conductor, Daniel Stewart's baton, through the final cadences of Sibelius' "Fifth Symphony." Boston Ballet kicked off its 2017-2018 season with two contemporary pieces.

After warming up the audience with an orchestral rendition of Jean Sibelius' beloved "Finlandia," the curtain rose on the Boston Ballet Premiere of "Obsidian Tear," a co-production with the Royal Ballet, whose Resident Choreographer, Wayne McGregor, conceived the piece set to a symphonic poem by Esa-Pekka Salonen. The title of the piece is enigmatic, using the English word, "tear," in two senses. First, as a verb - to tear, to rend. Second, as a noun - the fluid that flows from the eye. Salonen had been inspired by the myth of the Goddess Nyx. The other section of this new ballet uses intimate solo violin music, "Lachen verlernt," also by Salonen, and is in sharp contrast to the fierceness and grand sweep of "Nyx." Nine male dancers perform in ever-changing combinations of athleticism and grace that that are like a living impressionist painting. The meaning is in the eye of the beholder. Are they depicting community, intimacy, breaking up, supporting one another? You decide. The effect is visually and aurally stunning. Eight of the dancers are costumed in black, the ninth in red. Does he represent the fire that forms the crystals of obsidian? You decide. The nine dancers chosen to interpret this work were: Paulo Arrais, Paul Craig, Roddy Doble, Lasha Khozashvili, Patric Palkens, Lawrence Rines, Irlan Silva, Matthew Slattery, Patrick Yocum. The audience was wildly enthusiastic in response to the innovative program.

"Obsidian Tear" by Wayne McGregor

Music by Esa-Pekka Salonen

Boston Ballet

Boston Opera House

Through November 12th

Photo by Rosalie O'Connor

The second half of the evening was devoted to the World Premiere of "Fifth Symphony of Jean Sibelius" by Boston Ballet Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo. Costume Designer Yumiko Takeshima and Lighting Designer Mark Stanley used colors that suggested earth tones from the changing seasons in Finland. The full corps de ballet was used in this gorgeous new work that used traditional classical dance vocabulary. Pairs of dancers interspersed themselves throughout the piece among the larger groupings of male and female dancers.The pairs included some of Boston Ballet's most familiar figures: Misa Kuranga and John Lam, Lia Cirio and Paul Craig, Kathleen Breen Combes and Junxiong Zhao. Again, the appreciative audience was enraptured by the music, the choreography and the flawless execution of the dancers.

Cast
Fifth Symphony of Jean Sibelius

Boston Ballet

Boston Opera House

Through November 12th

Photo by Rosalie O'Connor

This program can only be seen through November 12th, so get your tickets for this week's remaining performances.

Boston Ballet Website

The annual Boston tradition of "The Nutcracker" will run from November 24th through New Years' Eve.

Enjoy!

Al

Boston Playwrights' Theatre Presents "Elemeno Pea" by Molly Smith Metzler - Through November 19th

Boston Playwrights' Theatre champions new works, and the latest play in their current season is the entertaining "Elemeno Pea," written by Molly Smith Metzler and Directed by Shana Gozansky. Scenic Design is by Jeffrey Petersen, Lighting and Sound Design by David Wilson, Costume Design by Rachel Padula-Shufelt.

The action takes place on Martha's Vineyard, where Simone (Lydia Barnett-Mulligan) has been hired by the very wealthy Michaela (Samantha Richert) to be her personal assistant and companion - at an outrageously high salary. But she is on call 24/7, and has not seen her sister, Devon (Amanda Collins) for months. Simone takes the weekend off and invites Devon to travel to The Vineyard for a few days of sisterly bonding. Things do not go as planned. Michaela is in crisis. Her status as trophy wife #2 is very much in jeopardy, and she needs Simone to help her to handle her meltdown. Michaela tries to bribe Devon to leave the island, but Devon is not having it, and a hilarious power struggle ensues. Further complications arise when Devon meets Simone's boyfriend, Ethan (Barlow Adamson), an uber-entitled rich boy whose life cannot be sullied by such a thing as "gainful employment." Rounding out this fine cast is Jaime Carrillo, who plays the passive-aggressive gardener/handyman, Jos-B.

The playwright lampoons many things in this comedy, while also plumbing the depths of some poignant issues such as abortion, family dysfunction, and classism. There are power struggles galore - some overt and some more subtle. Devon works at an Olive Garden restaurant in Buffalo, so one might think that Michaela holds a power position over her, but Devon is feisty and holds her own. Michael is in a struggle with her off-stage husband, who threatens to end the marriage before the five year prenuptial agreement vests.  Jos-B uses his native Spanish language as a tool to humiliate Michaela when he learns that she has lost her leverage over him.

Lydia Barnett-Mulligan and Samantha Richert (foreground)
Amanda Collins (background)
"Elemeno Pea"by Molly Smith Metzler
Boston Playwrights' Theatre
Through November 19th
Photo by Zalman Zabarsky

Cast members are uniformly excellent. The versatile Mr. Adamson plays the playboy in Vinelyard salmon trousers to a tee. Mr. Carillo raises passive-aggression to an art form. Ms. Richert takes Michaela through an arc that includes her finally showing some humanity and vulnerability when Devon finds a way to soften her up. Ms.Collins is at her best in these final scenes. And Ms. Barnett-Mulligan is convincing as Simone who has gone off the rails and been seduced by money and power. This ensemble is directed with a deft touch by Shana Gozansky.

The play runs through November 19th.

Boston Playwrights' Theatre Website

Enjoy!

Al