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Joffrey Ballet of Chicago: Bolero

Joffrey's Bolero

Performing arts companies are stressed into creative innovation even more than usual during the Covid panic of 2020–21. One of the best responses has been by Chicago's Joffrey Ballet. As evidence, I offer this 19-minute new work recently published by the Joffrey on YouTube. The replay of the February 27th world premier will be available on YouTube through March 1, 2021 according to the most recent information I have.

Joffrey Ballet of Chicago presents Bolero

What would Maurice Ravel say were he able to see this incredible production using his iconic "experiment" Bolero? My guess is that he would not only approve, but enthusiastically so. Music is first-class (a London Symphony recording) and production values are high thanks to Jack Mehler's lighting and Big Foot Media directed by Tim Whalen. Choreography was by Yoshihisa Arai with Costumes by Temur Suluashvili, both Joffrey artists who we are more accustomed to see as dancers rather than the roles they played in this production.

But the real stars are, of course, the Joffrey dancers, Anais Bueno, who danced the solo muse, a difficult role both physically and emotionally, and the cast of 8 men and 6 women who accompanied her. Bueno's sultry and alluring temptations grow in intensity along with the music.

Do yourself a favor and take a break to enjoy this impressive production. Like the music, the choreography progresses from a quiet and subdued opening, increasing in intensity through 18 repetitions of the same melodic material without variation except for a single dalliance to a related key near the end of the piece. Ravel's own instructions for the piece were to end "as loudly as possible," an admonition reflected in the choreography.

Five stars. Bravo! Joffrey!

 

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