Ivey’s Dance at Noon
Robert Ivey
OVER THE PAST MANY YEARS, whenever I see the Robert Ivey Ballet Theatre perform, I am always struck by the vibrant young dancers with commitment in their eyes and love for their art form apparent in their energy-fueled dancing. At the end of the Dance at Noon concert performed on Friday at the Footlight Players Theatre, Ellen Dressler Moryl presented an award to Robert Ivey for his cornerstone work in presenting dance at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival over the last 33 years which was accepted in his absence (Mr. Ivey is recovering from a neck injury) by Sannie Cook, his Executive Assistant.
The noon concert offered seven works that ranged in classical to contemporary styles danced by the talented young 14 member company who are all students from Robert Ivey’s school and the College of Charleston where it serves as the company in-residence.
photo by Douglas Smoak
Opening the show was the visually lovely Tchaikovsky’s Serenade staged by the company’s ballet mistress and teacher Olga Wise who presented an immaculate version of the Romantic classic expertly danced by 7 ballerinas whose clean lines and seamless transitions was a beautiful vision of one of the great musical score’s. Wise also choreographed Quintessence to Vivaldi’s Winter Variation for four females and one male danced by the talented Michael Rodreguez whose clean lines and natural elegance were highlighted by his jumps and turning skill. His confident partnering work was also well displayed in Flower Festiva where he partners the lovely Emily Poff from the Bournoville repertoire.
Some of the contemporary works spotlighted the talents of Jackie Moore whose clean lines and fluid delivery is stunning to observe in Les Visages de Moi and the sassy Cell Block Tango from Chicago. Choreography by the young Amanda Nelson was inventive and well danced in the quirky work entitled Mathematics. The program closed with Grand Tarantella which still has its pop as the full company performed the high energy classic with speed and precision in Ivey’s well polished signature piece.
