Excellence as clear as Black and White

Boston Ballet’s Black and White will be a hit. I attended the preview show early this week, and although costumes were not used, the dancing and choreography were phenomenal.

In the first dance, it was not taken seriously by some of the dancers. One was giggling and losing form while another was behind a beat. However, as the music persisted, the dancers became in-tune with the rhythm. They synced up perfectly.

The choreography was stunning. Dancers acted like moving sculptures that imitated visual, abstracted interpretations of the classical music used in this show. Choreographer, Ji…â„¢ƒ­ Kyliƒ¡n is truly an artist. In this show, the music is his canvas and the dancers are the paint. This show is truly reminiscent of surrealist painting in terms of their abstract movements and bold, yet crisp expression.

The dancers are obviously talented, and they perform several means of bending and lifting to form human structures. They literally mold themselves to become a single art piece. Even when they move differently, they move in sync with one another. The music puts the dancers (as well as the audience) in a trance, while they put their all into the music.

This being said, however, one flaw I did notice in the choreography, that is very common in most professional acts, is that although unique lifts can be impressive, they can also be unattractive, as the dancers (regardless of how strong or experienced they are) tend to tremble. During one of the lifts, one person was balanced with one foot on the back of another’s knee, which was awe-provoking, but also nerve-wracking, as the bottom (and as a result the top) dancer was inclined to shake.

Sometimes, it just looked painful.

But this is a great show. The first alf is breathtaking with music from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Sebastian Bach and unique interpretations of the songs and concepts, while the second half is just hilariously entertaining. The second half plays with gender roles and awkward situations such as romantic infidelity. The show leaves you feeling upbeat and content with its beautiful concepts and comical finale. If you like contemporary ballet or modern dance forms, or just art in a broad sense, I urge you to see this show. Boston Ballet’s Black and White is truly a show that will keep you continuously entertained.

Second look: John Guilfoil

I attended opening night on Thursday at the Wang and was very impressed. The last two acts were especially engaging. In the fourth performance, “Falling Angels,” the rhythmic thumping of Steven Reich’s “Drumming, Part I” had me literally on the edge of my seat. And the dancing — forgetaboutit. Unbelievable.

The ballet was playful, engaging, passionate and full of talent provided by the Boston Ballet. Black and White is a marvelous ballet, and we were very lucky to have it first in Boston.

Don’t miss original Blast Magazine photography Friday!