Fun Facts

On the eve of opening night I thought I'd divulge a few interesting little tidbits on our new program...

Ash will be performed this year an entire minute and half (give or take) faster than it was when the company premiered it in 2007.  We're talking a fleet fourteen minutes of exciting, energetic, breathless (literally) dancing.  That minute and a half doesn't sound like much but it makes for a considerably quicker tempo on an already swift ballet.  It's pretty darn fun, though.  Better, stronger, faster.  Just like the Six Million Dollar Man, only with colored tights and a Torke soundtrack.

This program is definitely full of eye candy.  Lots of skin on lots of toned bodies.  And I do mean lots.

If you see any of the dancers' mouths moving they're probably counting.  This is one of the most difficult programs I've ever done musically; we've all memorized the counts for each of the three ballets on the bill.  That's pretty common for contemporary ballets, as the more abstract the piece of music the less likely it is to be in nice, neat even phrases.

It wouldn't be live theater if there weren't last-minute casting changes.  Due to a sudden injury Ansa Deguchi had to be replaced in this weekend's performances.  Olga Krochik and Daniela Deloe will be stepping into her spots in Ash and Lambarena, respectively.  This means that Danie will be dancing in all three ballets on opening night, no small feat by any means.

On that note: Several of the boys will be dancing in all three ballets on opening night and in various subsequent performances.  (Since there are more women to go around than men the casting works out a little kinder for the ladies.)  Considering the sheer physicality and mental focus that each piece requires, this is an impressive and exhausting task.  I feel like I should mention one Mr. Brian Simcoe, who will dance in every ballet in every performance.  So extra accolades and applause for the men (and women) who wrap up a long but fulfilling evening of dance at the end of Lambarena.

I really feel that this is an incredible program that will garner much respect, enthusiasm and praise from our audiences.  I think I speak for all of the dancers when I say that it's a great program to dance and a terrific vehicle to show off the company in a contemporary light.  I'm very excited for opening night tomorrow.  It's sure to be a fantastic evening on both sides of the curtain.

Please Vote for Niel DePonte on YouTube!

OBT's Music Director and Conductor, Niel DePonte is a finalist in YouTube's Symphony Orchestra competition and he needs your vote!

Niel is one of two remaining finalists in the marimba section - narrowed down from about 30 entrants.  Winners will perform at New York City's Carnegie Hall in April!  David Stabler of The Oregonian calls Niel's audition "great" and "more musical than the other contestant." 

We agree completely!

To vote for Niel, click here.  Press the vote button, type in "marimba," click on Niel's video and press the thumbs UP button!  Please vote daily through February 22, 2009!

Sunday Night Rite of Spring Blogging

This is becoming my Sunday night ritual. Next Sunday, look for a recap of the week's events, from tech rehearsals to dress rehearsals to opening night and the morning after.

On Friday, the two pianists who will play Rite of Spring for our performances, Carol Rich and Susan Smith, came to the studio to rehearse with us. It was, as always, a wonderful treat to hear vibrant, alive music after working with cd. The electricity in the room and in the dancing (already at a high level to begin with) skyrocketed. They sound incredible.


Anne's role is quite demanding, and this was her first experience running through the entire ballet. She's looking a little red in the face here.



I don't think I'm giving away any major secrets or ruining any surprises by showing you the photo below. I'll just let you wonder. You'll have to come see the show to find out what it's all about.

Preview, Part 2

So, the next thing Christopher did to help clarify what he wanted was to have the dancers try the new choreography without music, only with his counting out loud. That's very helpful when dealing with unfamiliar or complicated music. After we've gotten a little more smooth with the movements and understand (at least in theory) the counts, it is easier to move correctly within the music.

The Rite of Spring (A Preview, part 1)

Yes, only here can you get a sneak peek at the creation of The Rite of Spring. In this clip, taken on Friday afternoon, Christopher was choreographing a section for the five "tall couples". Sitting at the front of the studio with him are Anne Mueller, (who's acting as Christopher's assistant on this project in addition to dancing in the piece), Ashby Baldock, (our stage manager), and Carol Rich (who will be one of the pianists performing the piece).

You can hear Christopher counting the music out loud for the dancers. The music is incredibly difficult to count, and even once you know the counts it's still not easy to HEAR them, let alone move on the correct ones.

Anne Mueller to Make New York Choreographic Debut

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

OBT principal dancer Anne Mueller has been chosen as one of six choreographers whose work will appear at Ballet Builders 2009! Congratulations Anne!

Anne's piece, Heartaches and Hotcakes, was choreographed in the summer of 2008 for Bozeman, Montana's Sweet Pea Festival and is set to seven songs by Patsy Cline. It explores the tragic love and loss of classic country music with breezy, ironic wit. The work features Anne, Artur Sultanov, Daniela DeLoe and Candace Bouchard.

You can see Anne, Artur, Danie and Candace perform the work on March 14th at 8:00pm and March 15th at 3:00pm in the Dicapo Opera Theatre. For those of you in the New York area or who may be interested in heading out that way, visit Ballet Builders for tickets and further information.

Alison Roper in Anne Mueller's Heartaches and Hotcakes.

Photo by: Nina Tucciarelli/Damsel in the Dollhouse 

We Share Our Super Supers

One of our most loyal and passionate volunteers was featured in a photo and article on the front page of the How We Live section of today's Oregonian. George Dover has been a friendly face and encouraging presence around OBT for years, taking adult ballet classes with enthusiasm and energy, staffing the gift boutique in the theater lobby, appearing on stage with us in various productions (Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and more) and generally being a wonderful friend to the organization. His wide, sunny smile is always a welcome and energizing sight. The article in the paper today is about the supernumeraries in Portland Opera's upcoming production of Turn of the Screw, in which George will be appearing. I've noticed him in opera productions before (don't think you can't be picked out of a crowd, supers!) and immediately scanned the photo and article for a familiar face when I saw the headline this morning. And there he was. (I quite appreciated his comment in the article about the importance of moving in coordination with musical cues when appearing in ballet productions). Congratulations, George, and merde for the performance!