BALLET X

BalletX celebrates its 20th anniversary at the Joyce Theater by showcasing past repertory alongside new and fresh works. Noelle Kayser’s “Scales on the Wings of a Butterfly” and Gregory Dawson’s “Sojourner” make their premiere, while excerpts from Darrell Grand Moultrie’s “Vivir” and Nicola Wills’s “Two People In Love Never Shake Hands” pay homage to BalletX’s history.

The lights rise, revealing a mountain of bodies stacked one on top of another, and they
begin to unravel serpentine. Inspired by the science of microscopic photography, “Scales on the Wings of a Butterfly” by Noelle Kayser, electrifies viewers with its unanticipated choreography and physical motifs.

We repeatedly see dancers entangled with one another, followed by a
sustained release as they move from one position to the next. One dancer stands hunched over while the other latches onto their upper body in the air like a parasitic infection.

Dancers gracefully glide in pointe shoes across the stage as if they’re ice skating. Kayser cleverly brings their scholarship into contemporary ballet, creating their own unique form.

The following excerpts from Darrell Grand Moultrie’s “Vivir” and Nicola Wills’s “Two
People In Love Never Shake Hands” lacked the same creative acuity. “Vivir” celebrated Latin culture, but its placement in the show order caused a dip in energy and accentuated its simplicity.

“Two People In Love Never Shake Hands” showcased a couple’s dramatic love story; similarly, its concept has been explored before in various media and did not contribute to the ongoing conversation.

“Sojourner,” by Gregory Dawson, coupled ballet technique and jazz, captivating the audience with live music and animalistic energy. The dancers gradually roll, crawl, and drag themselves from the wings. The sudden tempo changes keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

The soloist exemplifies the piece’s vocabulary, transitioning from ballet-esque moments to animalistic jazz movements. The soloist extends their toes, pointed with soft arms parallel and regal, then transitions to low-to-the-ground, fast, and intense thrusts. “Sojourner” is an exciting look into the future of contemporary ballet.

Overall, BalletX is well produced and showcases courageous dance works with an
exceptional company of dancers. While I believe some of the pieces were lacking conceptually, the experimentation and innovation of BalletX is commendable.

EYE ON THE ARTS, NY — Frankie Lehr