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| A fairy tale comes to life |
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by Jennifer Fletcher
Ben Stevenson's production of Cinderella, performed by Houston Ballet, pulls the fairy tale out of the storybook and throws it onstage with a whirlwind of talent. This show is definitely worth watching, even if you are not an avid ballet watcher. Principal dancer Barbara Bears (Cinderella) eloquently expresses her role as she rises from pauper to princess. Her smooth movements hypnotize you as her fairy godmother (Tiekka Schofield) uses her magic to temporarily transform Cinderella into the ideal woman. Carlos Acosta steals the show as Cinderella's prince. Acosta's performance explodes into an applaudable series of jetés and spins. With long lines and powerful movements, Acosta cuts through the air, as if jumping several feet off the floor is as natural as walking. The performers glide through space and present their artistic qualities with much poise. They take full advantage of the sometimes tame, but otherwise sparkling, choreography by Stevenson, complementing each other and solidifying the ballet's movement as a whole. The introduction of a hilarious court jester (Dominic Walsh) into the traditional cast of characters and two ugly stepsisters, dressed in drag, played by Dorio Perez and Timothy O'Keefe, add a comical flair. The ugly stepsisters flavored the ballet with goofy faces and the silly, evil intentions they're famous for. Lengthy solos, which were not particularly exceptional, interrupted the ballet's fluidity at times. Though they highlight the abilities of the leading dancers, they don't add more dimension to the ballet. Though this is not the best ballet I've seen, it definitely has its merits, including stage-commanding leading roles and beautiful setwork. A $10 ticket gets you seats that allow you to see everything on stage. So forget the Disney video and go down to the Wortham. Remaining shows are at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 26 and 27 and at 2 p.m. Sept. 27 and 28 at the Wortham Theater Center. Ticket prices range from $10 to $88.
This item appeared in the Arts & Entertainment section of the September 26, 1997 issue. |
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