Smuin Ballet New Fall-Winter Season Review

Smuin Ballet the outstanding counterpart to the San Francisco Ballet opened their new season several months ago with a diverse mix of classical and modern ballet with the premiere of “Dear Miss Cline” a new ballet by Amy Seiwert to the country music of songstress Patsy Cline at the Palace of Fine Arts.

The renowned ballet company opened with the sensual dancing of the tango by the entire company “Tango Palace” choreograph by the late Michael Smuin in 2003. The ballet group consisting of Jane Rehm, Shannon Hurlburt, Robin Cornwell, Jonathan Dummar, Terez Dean and Christian Squires each added a classical touch of what could be considered as a belligerent and fleshly dance as performed by the group known as “Tango Argentina” However the pure beauty of these exciting dancers was a great opening of entertainment of erogenous dances. Outstanding were the two men sensually dancing together a tango “Una Lagrimita” who had great precision in their movements.

Michael Smuin’s “Stabat Mater” choreograph to the music of Anton Dvorak was exquisite. Smuin created his ballet as a response to the destruction of the New York Trade Center on September 11. This was a serious piece of political theater as well as a deeply moving dance piece.

“Stabat Mater” began with four women standing still looking like ghostly statues. One by one each woman fell into her male partner’s arms. They were lifted gently and even more gently laid down. Erin Yarbrough-Stewart and John Speed Orr lead a group of dances who graphically portrayed the raw feelings of the tragedy of 9/11.

Quickly following was Michael Smuin’s "Eternal Idol"based on Rodin’s figurine. Robin Cornwell and Jonathan Dummar performed with grace and classiness to Frederic Chopin’s music.

The final ballet was the lively "Dear Miss Cline" to songs sung by country singer Patsy Cline. There were sizzling dance numbers that were sinuously executed by Erin Yarbrough-Stewart, Christian Squires and John Speed Orr dancing to Patsy Cline singing “Tra le la la Triangle”. Terez Dean and Christian Squires were marvelous dancing to Patsy Cline singing “Foolin Around”. Susan Roemer did some fancy footwork in “Stop the World and Let Me Off” back by the spirited dancing of the cast. "Dear Miss Cline" was a pure delight, full of showbiz energy, sexy costumes and even some great tap dancing by Shannon Hurlburt in “There He Goes”.

The Sumin Ballet program will be repeated in February 2012 in Walnut Creek, Mountain View and Carmel. For more information go to www.smuinballet.org