Ballet X is Excellent at Spa Little Theater

Ballet X will repeat its performance on Sunday at the Spa Little Theater in Saratoga Spa State Park.

X represents the unknown. Yet Ballet X revealed its dazzling colors on Saturday night at the Spa Little Theater.
 
This contemporary dance ensemble blazed across the stage in a program that left its audience tipping back on its heels after witnessing its versatility, speed and heartiness. In a program of works by Jorma Elo, Jamar Roberts and Jennifer Archibald, Ballet X demonstrated that it can’t be pinned down – rather it’s a servant to the many choreographers and styles who meet and meld with this talented company.
 
Ballet X set the stage with its opener – Elo’s “Scenes View 2.” As in other Elo’s dances, the piece grabbed attention for not only the bright balletic moves – pirouettes and jetes – but the hundreds of intricate gestures like semaphoric arms, wobbly heads, hands that wipe the floor or slap a bottom and exploratory feet that scuttle sideways before their bodies are launched skyward. All this was pressed on urgently to Bach’s “Partita for Violin Solo No. 2 in D minor” that left audiences stimulated.
 
This terrific curtain-raiser was juxtaposed by Roberts’ thoughtful “Honey,” a work that portrait the intimate moments in three relationships. Of the three couples, Ashley Simpson and Jared Kelly stood out. He carried her about, maintaining her “on-a-pedestal” status. Their connection was intense, leaving audience with not only the visual of their dynamic, but it’s dysfunctional heart too.
 
Happily, the piece ended with Francesca Forcello and Jerard Palazo in a sweet, mature relationship – in which care for each other overrode sexual passion (of the first couple) and ego. Seeing that ending was a sigh of relief.
 
The program ended with “Exalt,” by Archibald. The piece, that blended house and middle eastern music, transitioned unevenly. However, overall, the work showed off Ballet X’s range (they can dance house too) and boundless energy. Thus, while the switch from classical ballet to hip-hop came as a poke to the ribs, the forceful dancing that honored the music and styles overtook that annoyance. Still, the dance could be smoothed out.
 
Finally, the evening included a bonus – an excerpt from Matthew Neenan’s lovely “Credo” that was danced by 10 Skidmore College students. An ode to India, the piece was a symphony of tableaux to which the dancers successfully and carefully wove.

The performance will be repeated at 2 p.m. on Sunday.