On Saturday afternoon, three very different works unveiled dancers of varying ages, styles and drive.

The program closed on George Balanchine’s grand ballet “Cortege Hongrois” to the luxurious score by Alexander Glazounov. Led by Miayla Lambert and Silas Farley plus Elinor Hitt and Sebastian Villarini Velez, both couples demonstrated strong coaching by Suki Schorer and Susan Pilarre. Flashy turns, and foot stamping Russian styled folk steps abound in the Czardas section fronted by Hitt and Velez. Farley and Lambert navigated the classical motifs, expressing strong lines and shapes.

Multiple layers of intricacy in Peter Martins’ “Les Petits Riens” challenged the cast that included Misa Kasamatsu, the strong Austin Bachman, Morgan Lovette, Julian Lacey, Kathryn McDonald, Dustin True and the engaging Indiana Woodward and Craig Wasserman. Humor and an unexpected combination of steps and jumps mark this intricate piece stage by Darci Kistler and Jock Soto.

To get everyone in the mood for dance, the show opened on “Twinkliana” by Sean Lavery to music by Mozart. At the heart of the composition, is the nursery rhyme tune, “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and my how all the dancers (age 11 – 15) twinkle. Young but fully attendant, the dancers slipped across the stage one by one in personalized solos stage by Katrina Killian. Let it be known, although the structure was simple, the steps were not and the young little colts executed balances and turn sequences that would challenge dancers of any age.

A bright new batch is on its way. How many grace major ballet companies is determined as much by talent as personal resolve and health.
EYE ON THE ARTS, NY -- Celia Ipiotis