ARTS IN YOUNGSTOWN Ohio Ballet gives preview performance

Ohio Ballet will begin its season with a classic and end on a modern note.
By LAURA SAMUEL MEYN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Ohio Ballet, a professional company in residence at the University of Akron and at Playhouse Square Center in Cleveland, will perform in Youngstown regularly this season, bringing the same performances its audiences in Akron and Cleveland will enjoy.
The company held a season preview Thursday night at Edward W. Powers Auditorium, where it will perform during the 2004-05 season. Artistic director Jeffrey Graham Hughes spoke to supporters about the impact ballet can have on audiences, moving them through the connection of dance and music and evoking a broad range of human emotions.
Ballet Western Reserve's artistic director, Anita Lin, also was on hand to show her support for Ohio Ballet and to mention highlights from her own upcoming season.
Short performance
Ohio Ballet treated attendees to a short performance in the auditorium's elegant foyer. Dancer Eva Trapp performed the classical "Dying Swan" solo, choreographed by Michael Fokine for legendary ballerina Anna Pavlova. Trapp's heartfelt interpretation was evident through her gorgeously expressive upper body; her arms perfectly conveyed the swan's graceful decline.
BWR dancers also performed, dancing a short piece based on a Paul Jenkins painting from Youngstown's Butler Institute of American Art. The young dancers' strong training showed through, and Hughes mentioned that he'd welcome the opportunity to add a Youngstown-area dancer to his company someday.
The preview ended with Ohio Ballet's "Bossa Nova," a sexy pas de deux solidly performed by Kristin Knapp and Damien Highfield. Although all of the dancers have a strong classical ballet foundation, the choice of repertoire for both the preview and the upcoming season show a company that has mastered a wide range of styles -- from classical ballet to more modern dance.
Kickoff performance
In fact, Ohio Ballet's 37th season will kick off with a full-length classical work and end on a more modern note. The season starts with the family-friendly full-length classical ballet "Coppelia," which all will appreciate for its comedic story line. "Coppelia" will come to Youngstown on Oct. 9, with performances at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Ohio Ballet will return to Powers for its Winterfest program at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 29. That will include new choreography by artistic director Jeffrey Graham Hughes, set to live piano music by Puccini; choreography by Lynne Taylor-Corbett, inspired by images of the aftermath of 9/11 and set to music by Robert Schumann; and Raymonda Variations, set to music by Alexander Glazounov and staged by Cynthia Gregory.
In the spring
For Springfest on May 14, Ohio Ballet will bring an evening performance of "A Streetcar Named Desire" to Powers. The matinee performance will feature the children's classic "Peter and the Wolf," as well as "Hi Jinks," a ballet based on TV dance shows of the '50s and '60s.
XFor tickets or information, visit www.ohioballet.org or call (330) 744-0264 or (216) 861-5545.