A Sweet Time With American Ballet Theater’s "Whipped Cream"

Details: Parent Category: Film and the Arts; Category: Reviews; Published on Monday, 24 October 2022 20:46; Written by Jack Angstreich

Jonathan Klein in Whipped Cream. Photo: Rosalie O’Connor.

At the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, on the evening of Thursday, October 20th, I had the enormous privilege to see American Ballet Theater’s splendorous production of Alexei Ratmansky’s magnificent Whipped Cream—a work that I predict will endure as a classic—the opening presentation of its all too brief fall season here.

The ballet’s libretto was written by its composer, Richard Strauss, whose complex score is a very unusual one for the repertory. Ratmansky is Artist in Residence for the company and his inventive choreography here is amongst his near best. Another reason Whipped Cream ranks as one of the finest Ballet Theater productions is the fabulous set and costume design of Mark Ryden.

whipped2 The event featured an impressive cast led delightfully by Jonathan Klein as the Boy, a role originated by the marvelous Daniil Simkin. The first act was dominated by Christine Shevchenko—who is becoming one of the most admirable ballerinas in the company—as Princess Tea Flower and her partner Calvin Royal III, who excelled as Prince Coffee, a role first performed by David Hallberg, one of the most graceful dancers in recent memory. Skylar Brandt, who has moved from strength to strength in recent seasons, was superb as Princess Praline.

The secondary cast was also exceptional. Joseph Gorak and Sung Woo Han as Prince Cocoa and Don Zucchero respectively were an especially charming duo. Roman Zhurbin was characteristically amusing in the dual character roles of the Chef and the Doctor. And dazzling too were the trio of Catherine Hurlin, Blaine Hoven and Connor Holloway as Mademoiselle Marianne Chartreuse, Ladislav Slivovitz and Boris Wutki. Notable performances in the tertiary cast were too numerous to cite while the enchanting corps de ballet was in superior form.

The second and final week at Ballet Theater this season will consist of two different mixed repertory programs, with one including Frederick Ashton’s amazing The Dream.