Ballet review: Balanchine's 'Jewels'

The Sarasota Ballet brought sensational sparkle to the holiday season this weekend with George Balanchine’s full-length choreographic masterpiece, “Jewels.”

The performances at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center were accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra and led by American Ballet Theatre Conductor Ormsby Wilkins.

The jewels — “Emeralds,” “Rubies” and “Diamonds” — were first performed at New York City Ballet in 1967. The Sarasota Ballet has performed each separately within the past five seasons, but this was the first time the company took on the entire trilogy.

The production, exceptionally staged by Sandra Jennings, speaks to how far the company has come in the past 10 years under the direction of Iain Webb.

All three performances Friday evening reached breathtaking levels.

Set to Gabriel Faure’s “Pelleas et Melisande” and “Shylock,” “Emeralds” opens resembling a romantic garden. Its slow, soft movements are highlighted best in Victoria Hulland’s port de bras and Ellen Overstreet’s hypnotizing walks on pointe. The standout was a brightly danced pas de trois by Xavier Nunez, Ryoko Sadoshima and Elizabeth Sykes.

Perhaps the audience favorite of the evening, “Rubies” swiftly changes the pace with Stravinsky’s “Capriccio for Piano” and “Orchestra.” Principals Kate Honea and Alex Harrison led the way with playful pony trots and musical perfection. Honea, now in her 15th season, has never looked stronger and danced with infectious energy. 

Kristianne Kleine hit every note with sexiness and crisp delivery. It would be remiss not to mention the ladies in the corps de ballet who danced with precision while still adding Hollywood style and glamour.

“Diamonds,” the exquisite conclusion opens with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 3 in D Major. Danielle Brown, who reprised the principal role she first performed in 2011, was spectacular. Partnered by a calm yet courageous Ricardo Rhodes, this was one of the best performances from both of them. 

When 16 couples flooded the stage in the polonaise, you could feel the excitement on stage throughout the theater.

“Jewels” was undoubtedly a night to remember at the
Sarasota Ballet. 

Will Iain Webb make it a new holiday tradition?

We hope so.