ABT Dancers Promise Powerful Performance
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The America Ballet Theater (ABT) has returned to Seoul for the first time in 12 years and the members expressed their excitement at the press conference promoting their upcoming performances.
``It's great to be back in Seoul. It's been a while and we hope we will get to know the city a little better this time. We are not here as just dancers to perform, but as cultural ambassadors and we hope we learn a lot from this opportunity,'' Kevin McKenzie, the art director of ABT, told reporters.
Herman Cornejo, Xiomara Reyes, Jose Manuel Carreno, Paloma Herrera, Michele Wiles and Korean member Seo Hee appeared at the conference, looking a bit tired but enthusiastic about their performance ``Don Quixote.'' The ABT has prepared three distinctive works for fans here: ``Etudes'' and ``Rabbit and Rogue''' for the opening gala and ``Don Quixote'' as the main act.
``I have been on stage for `Don Quixote' so many times, but whenever I do, it's a whole new experience. I hope Korean fans will be able to feel the same excitement,'' Herrera, one of the best-known members of the troupe, said.
Seo Hee, who joined ABT in 2005, recently injured her back at a performance in Japan, but was still delighted to be back home.
``It's been a while and I am so glad to be here with my fellow ABT members. I won't be able to perform as much as I would have liked so I feel bad for the fans who have waited to see me perform,'' she said.
When asked of the difference between his ``Don Quixote'' compared to the renowned choreographer Mikhail Baryshnikov's version, McKenzie said that his was more ``American.''
``To be frank, my version (of Don Quixote) was greatly inspired by Baryshnikov's version. ABT represents America, like the Paris Opera Ballet, and this will be the perfect chance to show fans the American style,'' he added.
It is the first time for the ABT to perform ``Etudes'' and ``Rabbit and Rogue'' here and the male dancers stressed that it will be a powerful performance.
``It is important to try modern and classic works as a dancer. The two (performances) are powerful and energetic, and I hope fans will enjoy them along with `Don Quixote,''' Cornejo said.
ABT's ``Don Quixote'' will be staged Aug. 1-3 and the opening gala, July 31, at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts.