I had the opportunity to both perform in and attend a dance performance entitled Journey on March 5, 2009. As I am a member of the Trojan Marching Band, I knew about the gig from a fellow mellophone section member Stephanie Graves who also is the co-director of the Chamber Ballet Company. I can say that I was pleasantly surprised at the intertwining of current pop songs and the more classical style of ballet dance and the harmony created as a result.
The duet number choreographed and performed by Jonathan Sharp and Catherine Ricafort first impressed me. A jazzy number musically aided by the Frank Sinatra duets, the dancers seemed to move with such attitude and pizzazz. At any particular moment the chemistry between the man and woman dancer was clearly annunciated by their body language and a fire in their stares. Each dancer took on a clear cut character and communicated only nonverbally through their movements. I was captivated.
Another duet number entitled “Life—Rediscovered” featuring choreography and dance by Stephanie Graves and Jonathan Langley took One Republic’s popular song “Say” and turned it into an entirely different piece. Two battling couples fought with each other at the beginning, and at once a girl and a guy from each were left alone. These two were Stephanie and Jonathan, and in their duet they clearly conveyed what it’s like to be renewed in a new relationship. They supported each other’s weight and their movements seemed to cry out for attention. Blue lighting and smoky air only enhanced the mood. This was probably my favorite number.
My only criticism would be the Company’s group performance to the Avenged Sevenfold number “Almost Easy”. Although also choreographed by Stephanie Graves, the live performance from the USC Trojan Marching Band didn’t seem to quite fit the dancer’s movements. While they twirled and moved gracefully, we rocked out to the overly brassy rock chart. It seemed an abrasive song to the dancers, as they seemed to wince at the loudness emitted from the several horns. They moved accurately to the tempo, but it seemed like two disconnected attitudes.
That being said, I would definitely recommend this show to anyone that thinks ballet is a dead dance form. It has grown to incorporate all styles of music, take on a vast amount of themes and attitudes, and continue to move the audience. Go and see the next USC Chamber Ballet Company performance. You won’t be disappointed.
