reviewvancouver: Alberta Ballet: Fumbling Towards Ecstasy

Alberta Ballet is renowned as an inventive company and this trend was affirmed with a dazzling performance November 14-16 at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre set to the soulful sounds of Sarah McLachlan.

The featured ballet, Fumbling Towards Ecstasy, was choreographed by acclaimed ballet creator Jean Grand-Maître who hails from Quebec and has had a stellar international career. In 2010, he was Director of Choreography for the Vancouver Winter Olympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies.

Featured dances combined with the music of several McLachlan classics including: Bring on the Wonder, which was an audience favorite, Ice Cream, Illusions of Bliss # 1 and #2, Hold On #2, Good Enough, and Angel.

The Grammy award winning McLachlan has a gift for creating music that touches the heart and the soul and thus becomes memorable to audiences around the world. This, blended with the strong and emotive dance of Alberta Ballet leading dancers combined for a remarkable series of ballet performances.

Particular standouts for AB include: Kori Empson who danced Overture; Nicole Caron and Jaciel Gomez who danced Bring on the Wonder; Natalie Chui who danced the lively , upbeat Ice Cream; and Reilley Bell and Jaciel Gomez who danced Angel. Angel provided the audience with a graceful ending to the performance.

The full audience in attendance welcomed Alberta Ballet with open arms and warm applause. The audience reaction was predictable given an artistic collaboration that produced a piece with stylish, superb dancers and the sonorous, uplifting music of McLachlan.