Where: Trinity Preparatory Theater
When: March 13, 2009 / 7:30 pm
Company Director: Russell Sultzbach
Featured Choreographers: Amy Davidson, Christine French, Leaia Caver, and Russell Sultzbach



Watching the future stars of Dance in both of the Ballet South Dance Companies was an absolute treat for me. For both, the Senior and Junior Companies to successfully perform this repertoire of modern, jazz, and ballet requires focus and versatility. Well, congratulations are in order for Ballet South. These young performers not only showed off their versatility in dance, but they did it while looking like they were having the time of their lives. That's how you know you have walked into the right show.

 

 
"Ballet Dancers" by Brenda Guyton
 
 
All of these ladies and gentleman should be very proud of their quality performances. There were so many "Wow" moments but in the interest of space, I would like to point out some of the ones that still have me excited. The show opened with "Dancing" and already I was swept onto the stage absorbing each emotionally charged story as expressed by Christine French and The Senior Company. The connection of music and movement were not missed in this piece. I especially enjoyed the connectivity of all of the dancers working as one community in the dramatic and joyful section, "The Time of My Life."

Giving props to her Pops and the Ohio State Buckeyes, Amy Davidson sets her choreography on the Junior Company. Suited up in beige capri pants and red collegiate sweaters, these young ladies march, cheer, and play football through dance movement and looked cute doing it.

 
Meredith Barton Garrett Marks Catherine Silver
Smack Dab in the middle of the show, "Illuminate," brings the Senior Company back to the stage in classical form. Tchaikovsky's "Violin Concerto in D Major Op. 35," choreographed by Russell Sultzbach was the soundtrack for this difficult and expressive work, which was superbly executed by the entire company. There were moments when Meredith Barton had my heart balanced on the tip of her point shoe when she extended with such control and musicality. The chemistry between Garrett Marks and Catherine Silver (two of the most present personalities on the stage) was just lovely to watch.
When I thought I had been amazed to the gills, Leaia Caver completely transforms the Senior Company in, "So InCline - A Patsy Cline Ballet." Now people you have not seen a stompin' good time until you have seen the Senior Company bounce to the music as one complete unit while pushing you through the old creaking door of a Honky Tonk. I don't think my foot stopped tapping until I got to my car.
Russel Sultzbach
Artistic Director
Once again, the Marks and Silver chemistry made me smile so big that I might need Botox to give my cheek muscles a break for a while. Meredith Barton rocked my world so hard with every tasteful hip switch and sway, never losing any of her beautiful technique and musicality in "Crazy". Girl, go ahead and write your check, the money's in the bank.

Central Florida still has quality performers and entertainment and one of the places they frequent are Ballet South. If you have not yet caught a show with Ballet South, then I think you might want to start your psycho therapy first just to make sure you've gotten the crazies out of your system. Don't worry they will return next Season. Be ready … I know I will.

Keep up with the company at: Ballet South