Probably the most delightful production thus far in an already terrific season at American Ballet Theater is the brilliant Alexei Ratmansky’s beautiful staging (with assistance from Tatiana Ratmansky)—which just received its world premiere—of the legendary Marius Petipa’s glorious hommage to the commedia dell’arte, Harlequinade—featuring some of the most enchanting and original choreography of his career, here reconstructed from notations, and which I attended on the evening of Friday, June 8th—set to a lovely score by the undervalued Riccardo Drigo. Remarkable too were the captivating scenery and costumes by Robert Perdziola, inspired by the original 1900 designs by Orest Allegri and Ivan Vsevolozhsky.

 

The performance I saw had a stellar cast, headed by the amazing Jeffrey Cirio as Harlequin, and perfectly complemented by his wonderful partner, Sarah Lane. Also astonishing was David Hallberg—surely the most celebrated male dancer of his generation—in the hilarious secondary role of Pierrot;hisoutstanding partner was the exquisite Stella Abrera, exceptional as Pierrette.

 

Keith Roberts was fabulous too as the buffoonish Léandre. Less dancerly and more actorly turns included Alexei Goudine as Cassandre and Claire Davison as the Good Fairy. As crucial as any of the leads, however, was the superbcorps de ballet,seen here at their rare best.

 

This dazzling Harlequinade should prove to be one of the most enduring recent productions in the Ballet Theater repertory and is another feather in the cap of the Artist in Residence, Ratmansky, quite possibly the most exciting choreographic talent of the present moment. I look forward eagerly to the promising events to come.