Just when you thought it was safe to view this forum, I will again reveal my ignorance by posting my impressions from the Colorado Ballet's Dance Creations program. At least this time I waited until I saw it twice before posting my thoughts. The second time, I was accompanied by a friend who is a part-time artist.
The first piece was Second Exposure, with choreography by Darrell Grand Moultrie. It got the most enthusiastic audience response of the 3 the first time I saw it. Personally, I thought that it was by far the weakest of the 3, and my friend agreed. While requiring INCREDIBLE athletic ability from the dancers, it was a bit short on "artistic merit". There didn't seem much point to it other than to let the dancers show off. It was the only one that I enjoyed less the second time I saw it than the first.
The second piece was De Profundis, with choreography by Jessica Lang and set to music by Arvo Part. While the first time I saw I didn't think it was quite as good as last year's From Foreign Lands and People, the second time I found it to be so emotionally powerful that I almost started crying. The difference might be that the first time I was in the mezzanine while today I was on the main floor. I hope people in other cities get to see this one sometime.
The third piece was Celts, choreographed by Lila York. It's a great piece to finish the season with. It's very high-energy and like Second Exposure requires a lot of athletic ability from the dancers, but it also tells definite stories. I liked it 99% as much as I liked De Profundis. My friend liked it 101% as much as she liked De Profundis.
The product on stage is still very high quality. I just hope that the Colorado Ballet's administration can get its, errr, stuff in order so that we can continue to have great shows in Denver.