Oklahoma City Ballet Company’s spring production, “SHORTS,” runs this weekend only at the Civic Center Music Hall.
Accompanied by the Canterbury Voices and the OKC Philharmonic, three condensed iconic ballets are presented in one performance. The dances range from nostalgic and classic, to historical and contemporary.
Set and costume changes and an intermission between each serve as a palette cleanser and a chance to refresh beverages. Patrons are encouraged to read the program to familiarize themselves with each dance.
The music that accompanies it will be surprisingly familiar to audiences, and those who attend are in for a treat this Mother’s Day weekend.
In “Fancy Free,” choreographed by Jerome Robbins, three sailors on shore leave banter and compete for the affections of some lovely local ladies in this West-Side Story-esque drama. “Fancy Free” first debuted at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1944, and it sets the stage here for a memorable night of dance.
There will be no dry eye, nor a single goosebump-free arm, after the opening number and subsequent dance in Carmina Burana. The haunting vocals from Oklahoma City’s choir, Canterbury Voices, elevates this piece to the powerful, breathtaking experience that it is.
Carmina Burana is an iconic work of ballet. Based on poems and writings from the 11th and 12th centuries, with music by Carl Orff, Carmina Burana explores ideas of humanity, life, lust, gluttony, fortune, youth, and death. Operatic performances by soloists James Bobick, Dr. Nicole Van Every, and Steve Sanders ensure each scene is impactful. Choreography for this piece is by OKC Ballet Artistic Director Ryan Jolicoeur-Nye.
Closing out the evening is the quirky, funny, new-age ballet Cacti. Choreographed by Alexander Ekman, Cacti is a spellbinding feat of artistic and technical prowess.
The opening number is riveting and heart-pounding, and the unique effects used with lighting and spoken word bring a whole new dimension to the concept of ballet.
Cacti is the shortest piece, but it’s an emotional roller coaster that makes up for its duration. Each vignette is powerful while remaining intriguing and different. Cacti is a fresh, exhilarating experience that patrons won’t soon forget.
Opus 76, a string quartet out of Kansas City, performs onstage during this memorable dance. The quartet’s presence in the heart of the action makes this dance a rich, all-encompassing, and simply gorgeous sensory experience.
OKC Ballet’s principal dancers never miss a step.
The principal cast of Marco Corcella, Alejandro Gonzalez, Courtney Connor Jones, and Mayu Odaka are breathtaking to watch together and individually. Together with Soloists Randolph Fernandez, Joseph Hetzer, and Gabrielle Mengden, they create a vision on stage that is impossible to look away from.
The entire company of OKC Ballet is committed to their craft and provides art for local audiences that is unparalleled.
OKC Ballet’s “SHORTS” is a treat for anyone wanting to step into the world of dance, music, and performance for an evening. None of the performances are overly long, and each has its unique look and feel.
Curtain times are artfully slated around Thunder playoff games, with 7:30 PM starts on Friday and Saturday. The closing show on Sunday (Mother’s Day) begins at 2 PM.
The collaboration of OKC Ballet, Canterbury Voices, and the OKC Philharmonic for this brief but meaningful show is a beautiful reminder that the arts are alive and thriving in Oklahoma City. Visit okcballet.org for tickets.
Adrienne Proctor is a theater and arts writer in Oklahoma City. She's been contributing to the arts reporting space since 2017.
