By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The American Ballet Theater (ABT), a star-studded troupe of American ballet dancers, is coming to Seoul for the first time in 12 years.
The ABT, which was founded in 1939, is one of the three most highly acclaimed ballet troupes, along with England's Royal Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet. Unlike other companies where choreographers share similar views in terms of style, the ABT has opened its doors to numerous ballet masters and supports ``variety.'' Thus the troupe is famed to this day for the dancers' colorful characteristics in movement, style and skill. The home to so many prominent dancers including Paloma Herrera, Angel Corella, Gillian Murphy and Michele Wiles, the ABT will indeed be a memorable experience not only for ballet fans, but also ballet beginners as well.
At the Seoul performance, the troupe will offer one of their finest works, ``Don Quixote'' as the main performance and ``Etudes'' and ``Rabbit and Rogue'' at the opening gala. The two gala acts will be on stage for the first time here.
``Etudes,'' choreographed by Harald Rander, displays the arduous process ballerinas go through in order to achieve artistic perfection. The performance will start by showing the basic steps of ballet movements, then moving to the more complicated footwork and finally the most difficult yet beautiful techniques in ballet.
The ``Rabbit and Rogue'' is an abstract work choreographed by famed choreographer Twyla Tharp. Dressed in plain black and white costumes by designer Norma Kamali on a stage with no props or colorful settings, the dancers will portray good and evil through simple, yet surreal movements. Another special feature of this rather profound work is the music, which was arranged by Hollywood composer Danny Elfman. Elfman has worked in numerous films including ``Edward Scissorhands,'' ``Spiderman'' and ``Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.''
The whole cast who are visiting Seoul will perform at the gala and will introduce a different, yet thrilling performance for ballet fans.
The main act will be ``Don Quixote,'' which is one of the favorite novels of all time, written by Miguel de Cervantes as ``Don Quixote de la Mancha.''
Instead of the classic story about Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, the piece focuses on two characters ― a pleasant young lady Kitri and a young barber Basilio ― and their relationship. The two are in love but are troubled when Kitri's father urges her to marry the rich and arrogant Gamache. Torn between love and family, Kitri runs away with Basilio.
Produced and choreographed by art director Kevin McKenzie and Susan Jones, this version of the well-known tale is being shown to Korean fans for the first time. Receiving rave reviews at its world premiere in 1995 at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, it has become one of ABT's best performances with speedy storylines and spectacular costumes and settings.
The ABT will perform at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts. The gala will be on stage July 31 and tickets cost from 30,000 won to 150,000 won. ``Don Quixote'' will be performed Aug 1-3 and tickets cost from 40,000 won to 200,000 won. For more information, call (02) 399-1114.