Magic carpet ride
Aladdin rubs the right lamp
by Christopher Key
There are probably a lot of jocks out there who would sneer at the idea of ballet being an athletic event. There are probably an equal number of ballet dancers who could seriously kick their butts and do it with grace and artistry. If there are any doubts in your mind, go see Northwest Ballet’s production of Aladdin, playing this weekend at McIntyre Hall in Mt. Vernon.
If there is anyone out there unfamiliar with the tale from One Thousand and One Nights (aka Arabian Nights), go look it up on Wikipedia. I’d rather devote the space to singing the praises of Northwest Ballet and the extraordinary cast of dancers they bring to the stage.
As a director of musicals, I have a passing familiarity with choreography. Meaning I recruit a choreographer to deal with that because my familiarity with the art is passing, indeed. I have, however, witnessed how many hours it takes to choreograph a two-minute number. The work involved in choreographing a major ballet like Aladdin is mind-boggling. Northwest Ballet Artistic Director John Bishop seems to be able to toss it off as easily as I mix metaphors. I hope he’s as in awe of my skills as I am of his.
Aladdin is all about magic, so it makes sense that Bishop recruited the multi-talented Sterling Dietz to play the evil Genie of the Ring. I’ve sung Sterling’s praises before (www.ennw.info/2009/01/18/a-sterling-performance/) and this production only adds to his luster. He also supervised the spectacular special effects that will leave you gasping.
The sheer number of dancers involved in this production is astounding and I obviously can’t mention them all here. Suffice it to say that they are all incredibly talented and poised beyond their years. Especially the little girls who reminded me of why it’s unwise to share the stage with a child. They captivate the audience every time they are on and almost make you forget that the adult dancers are supremely talented.
Words fail me when I try to describe how enchanting Miye Bishop is, not just in this role, but in every production I have seen. She truly owns the role of Jasmine with her ethereal beauty. Seth Weatherby plays the title role with enormous energy and admirable athleticism. He is small in stature, but lifts, tosses, and carries Bishop around with seeming ease.
Ballet has often been unfairly depicted as an esoteric art form that appeals only to elitists. Please don’t subscribe to that calumny. If you can’t appreciate ballet for its artistry, you can certainly appreciate it for its sheer athleticism. And, of course, it is supremely sensual. What’s not to like? Aladdin performs at McIntyre Hall in Mt. Vernon on May 16 and 17. Tickets are $15 to $25, with discounts available to seniors, students and groups. Call 360-416-7727, ext. 2. For more information, see www.mcintyrehall.org or www.northwestballet.org. # # #