Troupe Brings 'Scenes'to life

By CAROL SOUTH, Special to the Record-Eagle
TRAVERSE CITY — The intersection of dance, music and passion will immerse viewers in artistic excellence.

"Scenes From a Park" pairs an original ballet with a score of Irving Berlin classic songs played by a world-class jazz quartet. The ballet will be performed at two shows Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Dennos Museum's Milliken Auditorium.

The Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre production follows a cast of characters — including lovers, stylish ladies, co-eds, children, an old man, a policeman and a bag lady — as they meet, play and connect. The characters and their relationships develop in a series of vignettes that take place over the course of a year.

Thomas Morrell, artistic director of the youth ballet company, conceived of "Scenes From a Park" 10 years ago while chaperoning students during a trip to Paris. An avid choreographer who tells stories through dance, Morrell's imagination was sparked while people-watching in a small park.

"The one thing they had in common was that they all shared this little microcosm in the midst of a large city," he said. "It then occurred to me that this park could be anywhere in the world."

Emma Tongue, 12, is in her second season with the Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre. Portraying the Baby Doll girl and a Tomboy, double cast with Maria Piche, Tongue enjoys bringing the ballet's story to life.

"I like how original and unique it is," said the seventh-grade homeschooler.

Morrell set "Scenes From a Park" in the early 1940s, an era dear to his heart. Original period costumes created for the ballet evoke the dawn of World War II.

"Even though I was not born until 1951, I think there is a real strength and romanticism to (this) era," Morrell said.

With no pre-written score, Morrell tapped two dozen classic Berlin songs to help tell the story and set the mood. The ballet's music director, Laurie Sears, arranged the original score.

Sears previously collaborated with Morrell in 2002 and 2006 to present "Scenes From a Park" in the region. Each time Morrell stages the ballet, he and Sears adapt the score to compliment new dancers in the roles and revised scene changes.

Playing the flute, clarinet and saxophone, Sears will be joined by Steve Stargardt on keyboard, Jack Dryden on bass and David Collini on drums. Tom Riccobono, conductor of Encore Winds and principal trombonist with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra, will serve as conductor.

Working live with dancers on stage is a challenge for musicians because, unlike a recording, the music differs every time. The energy between the dancers and musicians, however, creates a visual and aural experience for the audience.

"There is the human, expressive element in the music which the dancers respond to and in turn the musicians play off of," said Sears. "This type of communication in the performance makes it alive with both energy and sensitivity."

"Scenes From a Park" combines 15 of Morrell's dance students ages 9-17 with professional guest dancers, including locals Philip Leete and Holly Nieman.

Portraying a lover, Jordan Semer is an Interlochen Arts Academy graduate who danced professionally for six seasons with the Louisville Ballet and Dayton Ballet. Now semi-retired from dance and in college downstate, this is Semer's fourth production with the Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre.

Semer, who trained with Morrell from about age 9 until he went to Interlochen for high school, eagerly returns every year.

"It is always a joy to work with Tom and the kids — Tom's leadership and vision for every production make it hard to say, 'No,'" Semer said. "Tom really knows how to tell a great story through dance, and he chooses to do ballets that are not just 'run of the mill' productions."


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