Ballet: Uptown Downtown/Today and Tomorrow May 6, 2010

NYC-based ballet companies Dances Patrelle and Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance present "Ballet: Uptown Downtown / Today and Tomorrow", diverse perspectives on dramatic expression through the language of contemporary ballet from May 6-8, 2010 at 8pm at Peter Norton Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway at 95th Street, NYC, including three World Premiere productions. A stunning cast of dancers, including ballet stars and graduates of NYC’s premiere conservatories, combines live music and innovative choreography to make this exciting collaboration a must-see event. Tickets are $18-40 (members $16-36) and can be purchased at www.symphonyspace.org or by phone at 212-864-5400. Appropriate for ages five and up.

Dances Patrelle will present two World Premiere ballets. Set to a symphony by Robert Sirota, President of the Manhattan School of Music, "212" will play to the voyeur in all of us. Looking through one New York City window at three couples, "212" will explore the joys and heartaches of relationships, both private and public. The second new work, "Double Martini", will be a chamber work for four dancers, set to American Songbook favorites from the 1920’s and 30’s performed live by vocalist Joshua South, saxophonist Max Wild and piano impresario Jonnah Speidel.  The cast of characters in this athletic, virtuosic romp includes a rehearsal director, an auditionee, and two wealthy producers. As an added twist, the piece ultimately rearranges the configuration of the couples, commenting on the power structure in the performing arts world in a clever double entendre.

Cherylyn Lavagnino Dance will present the World Premiere of "Ménage", a ballet that draws on the distortion and beauty of Edward Degas’ ballet sculptures.  For this piece Lavagnino has developed a movement lexicon that is weighty, off balance, and stresses exaggeration of the hips and rib cage in contrast to the organized vertical beauty of traditional ballet technique.  "Ménage" features an original score for piano and violin by Scott Killian, Jacob Lawson, and Jane Chung, who will perform the score live in concert.  The company will also present "3 four 1" (2009) and "Snap Shots" (2004).  With quick, technical footwork, ample movement, and quirky partnering, "3 four 1" reflects the pull and bounce of the Handel-Halvorsen Passacaglia and the individual qualities of three dancers in their relationship to the one male figure.  In "Snap Shots", strident, complex and vigorous pointe work punctuates the lively music with currents of unbridled aggression.  The piece has roots in the choreographer’s visceral and emotional reaction to footage of American mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners, dealing with shattered notions of humanity and assumptions about the inherent benevolence of women.