The Power of Proximity: Avi Scher and Dancers and Black Watch
http://www.thirteen.org/sundayarts/blog/ballet/the-power-of-proximity/1228/
Sofiane Sylve. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Generally speaking, when we see ballet stars or Broadway-caliber shows in New York, we’re some distance away. But I recently saw two performances at arm’s length proximity to the performers, to predictably powerful effect—Avi Scher & Dancers, and Black Watch.
Last weekend, Scher presented a second annual program of big-name ballet dancers performing his choreography. Just 27, he clearly has ambition, connections, and good timing, scheduling several nights at Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater just a fortnight in advance ofNew York City Ballet’s spring season. And yet guests from that company included Tyler Angle and Ana Sophia Scheller (paired in a duet that displayed her diamond-hard precision and his plush muscularity) and the charismatic Savannah Lowery, who danced the finale ofDreamScapes with alum Sofiane Sylve (now atSan Francisco Ballet), still fierce and, at moments, transcendent. We usually see these amazing dancers at a cool remove in the capacious Koch Theater, where they seem almost alien in their perfection and effortlessness. But a couple of yards away, I an reminded of how strong their legs are, how hard they work, and how unforgivingly physical ballet is, even in the casual preshow barre warm-ups done onstage.
