ABT's 'Onegin' is a story well-told, one for ages

James Whiteside and Hee Seo dance the roles of Onegin and Tatiana in American Ballet Theatre's production of the Tchaikovsky ballet. (Photo by Rosalie O'Connor Photography)  

In the ballet world, eternal reverence is paid to only a handful of choreographers. But one who deserves it and is often dropped off that list (at least in America) is John Cranko – ballet’s most talented storyteller.
 
American Ballet Theatre reminded audiences of his immense gifts this week with a staging of his magnum opus, “Onegin.” With music by Tchaikovsky, which was originally composed as an opera, this romantic and tragic story is told by Cranko swiftly and deftly – without any unnecessary decoration that draws one away from the heart of the tale.
 
The story centers on Onegin, an arrogant aristocrat, who spurns the attentions of the bookish Tatiana, kills his friend Lensky in a duel and comes to regret it all. The production is one that reels the senses back to Imperial Russia when rank defines society and a country girl like Tatiana would not likely have a chance to elevate her station.
 
Yet that was hardly on her mind when Tatiana met and fell in love with the haughty Onegin, after meeting him at a party at her family’s estate.
 
At Saturday’s matinee, Hee Seo embodied the sweet, earnest Tatiana beautifully. Seo, already one of the most delicate of dancers, was ideal – first as her heart tumbled for Onegin that led her to dash off a missive of love to him and then what followed, rejection, anguish, and ultimately her rejection of him.
 
In it, of course with Cranko’s precision choreography, the audience witnessed Tatiana grow through Seo. The push and pull of her emotions and final triumph appeared real – so much so that Seo looked emotionally exhausted at her curtain call.
 
James Whiteside played the conceited Onegin, whose character evolved from chest-out superiority to bent-over broken despair – for killing his friend and losing the love of the regal and honorable Tatiana.
 
In addition to Seo and Whiteside, the cast was beautifully filled out by Skylar Brandt as Tatiana’s sister Olga and Carlos Gonzales as her betrothed Lensky. The cast of revelers – both in the countryside and in the palace – were a joy to watch as they swirled through their ensemble dances.
 
American Ballet Theatre’s version is also gorgeous. The sets were magnificent and so too were the costumes, especially the women’s skirts which moved with them with the grace of silk.
 
But as I left the matinee, I was also grateful to Cranko. At a time when speed and technical fireworks are often confused for brilliant choreography, Cranko tells us that story is the most powerful thing of all. And one well-told will survive the ages.