Spring Experience: Boston Ballet Defines A Good Frolic

I will keep repeating that the mixed bills are my favorite performances because I think they are often overlooked.  Boston Ballet‘s seasonal “experience” shows, however is one of the best ways to enjoy ballet.  There won’t always be a story or even a theme, but you will see many facets of ballet in one evening. This year’s Spring Experience presents principal dancer and choreographer Lia Cirio’s work After, William Forsyth’s Herman Schmerman and Jerome Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering. Boston Ballet’s Spring Experience plays at the Citizen’s Opera House through May 17th.  Tickets can be purchased here or at the Box Office, which is open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. until performance time.   City Living Boston readers can use code CITYLIVING45 for $45 tickets plus fees. 

I have enjoyed seeing Lia Cirio’s works in the past both for Boston Ballet and Cirio Collective, but After is exceptional.  This is the next level of Lia Cirio as a choreographer, and it is still early in her choreographic career, which is incredibly exciting.  After premiered in 2024 and I am so glad it is being performed again. The stage is set with a large origami like sculpture by John Farrell.  The lighting is crepuscular.  The costumes of seemingly simple slip-like dresses have incredible details, like the folded pleats that are imperceptible until a dancer moves in a specific way or holds an attitude suspended in time and space. Senses are heightened for this piece with the intimacy of the music: Lera Auerbach’s 24 Preludes for violin and piano.  The single voice of the violin then accompanied by the piano quiets the audience and draws everyone’s attention so close. The movement is a style that draws from a patchwork of influences, whether intentional or just from Cirio’s long and varied career as a dancer.  The flat palms breaking the line at the end of an arm extension give some of the movement an almost jazzy reverse Bob Fosse feel.  Lia Cirio’s choreography grabs your attention and keeps things moving even in the quiet moments. She holds on to the audience until the very last note and step.  For this piece alone, you will want to take in Boston Ballet’s Spring Experience.

After After, you will giggle and smile your way through William Forsyth’s playful Herman Schmerman. William Forsyth’s piece is full of play and humour.  Broadly speaking is like watching someone play with paints on a canvas in part thanks to the Versace skirts, cerulean lighting and primarily black costumes. Then, when you zoom into the dynamic of the dancers it is a wonderful montage of human interaction (the good parts).  The work showcases the athleticism of ballet with a playful bravado. The work premiered in 1992 and is set to an electronic score by Thom Willems.  

If words were defined by dance, then when you look up the word “frolic” you would see Jerome Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering.  This is an hour long piece set to Chopin’s gorgeous music performed by a single pianist:  Nan Ni.  Just like lying on the grass on a clear spring day staring up at the clouds, time flies by while watching this piece.  It is so easy to get lost in the moment with notes flying off the piano keys and the fast-paced movement on stage. Dances at a Gathering premiered in 1969 at New York City Ballet.  It is a beautiful frenzy of ten dancers interacting in various groupings throughout the work.  The simple twist of creating imbalanced groups of dancers flips traditional partnership on its head and creates something simple but also thought provoking in the most whimsical way.

You have your chance at two more days of performances after today with the last show on May 17th.  Tickets can be purchased here or at the Citizen’s Opera House Box Office. Please note that latecomers will be asked to wait to be seated.  Saturday and Sunday the box office opens 2 hours before a matinee and closes 30 minutes after curtain.  For discounted tickets, City Living Boston readers can use code CITYLIVING45 for $45 tickets plus fees.