By Gwen Curran
For The Register-Guard
Published: Tuesday, May 8, 2007
The Eugene Ballet Company and the Shedd's American Symphonia Chamber Orchestra, under the baton of James Paul, presented two world premiere ballets this past weekend.
The red, white and blue border around the proscenium of the Hult Center's Silva Hall stage let it be known Saturday that this was an evening of pure Americana. Fitting, because the music of Aaron Copland and writings of Mark Twain have stamped their genius on our culture as truly as the torch held high by the Statue of Liberty.
The program began with "The Gathering" to the music of Copland's "Appalachian Spring." American dancer and choreographer Martha Graham requested this music for the original dance, which was performed in 1944. Copland was awarded the 1945 Pulitzer Prize for music for this work.
Juan Carlos Amy-Cordero, as the son, and Yun-Kjung Kim were brilliant in their roles. They conveyed the passion of young lovers in body, face and gesture. The mother, danced by Jennifer Martin, also moved shapes into meaning.
This ballet was a huge challenge for Pimble and the company. They are to be commended for their effort.
After intermission, Patrick Torelle as Mark Twain took his position on stage right in an upholstered chair and introduced Tom Sawyer to the audience, both children and adults. Dressed as Twain, he even used typewritten pages from which to read.
This was a great detail, as Twain claimed that "Tom Sawyer" must have been his first book whose manuscript was typed on a typewriter.
The 10 scenes chosen for this children's ballet are captivating, amusing and touching. Composer Dick Hyman's score definitely evokes 19th century American music. A smooth blend of ragtime, folk, band, and dance rhythms and melodies provide a fresh musical companion to Twain's story, but can stand on its own. Hopefully, this suite will be heard again and again.
Pimble's choreography for this ballet is outstanding. The company danced and acted superbly. Casting Frank Affrunti as Aunt Polly was genius. His comic timing is perfect. The addition of Kim as Tom's cat was fun for all. What a versatile dancer. Amy-Cordero as Tom Sawyer evoked memories of school boys, yet he never lost his technical edge. Rider Vierling as Huck Finn exuded bravado and mischievous delight.
Phyllis Rothwell Affrunti danced Becky Thatcher with a sweetness and strength ... no wonder Tom was so smitten. Martin danced a marvelous old-fashioned school marm.
By the way, having the women en pointe sometimes was an added traditional emphasis to their female roles. Good choice. The school kids were very believable. Yun-Kyung Kim as teacher's pet was charming. Ra-bul Seo and Peter Orlov accentuated the boy's aversion to the school room. Hyuk-Ku Kwan was appropriately menacing as Injun Joe (during the dark scene in the cave, a young girl sitting near me started crying and had to be comforted by her granny).
Kudos to Mary Mikkelsen for the delightful costumes, Barry Rodgers for the realistic and movable sets, and Kelly Baum for the lighting.
"Tom Sawyer" is a production that needs to be seen again and again. Twain said "Tom Sawyer" is "for the entertainment of boys and girls ... and men and women ... to pleasantly remind adults of what they once were themselves and of how they felt and thought and talked..."
The Shedd, the Eugene Ballet, Toni Pimble, Dick Hyman, James Paul and The American Symphonia made it an entertaining evening.
Gwen Curran reviews dance for The Register-Guard.