monday, October 5, 1981
page 10
daily nebraskan
Houston Ballet presents diversified dance forms
By Christian S. Thompson
The premiere of The Houston Ballet at Kimball Recital
HaH was definitely a great performance. Performing Oct 1
through 3, the Houston Ballet presented a masterpiece
showcase of ballet as a highly diversified dance form. The
program included five separate works, each with its own
live orchestra accompaniment, ranging from the classic
"Raymonda," to the contemporary "Pi r2.
The first piece on the program was the "Bartok
Concerto," choreographed by the ballet's artistic director,
Ben Stevenson, and inspired by Bartok's "Third Piano
Concerto. The ballet consisted of two vigorous move
ments for seven couples surrounding the central move
ment, which is a lyric pas de deux.
The first movement of the concerto was done with a
simple burlap backdrop. The couples whirled about in a
flush of rusts and russets. The extensions were beautiful,
the pirouettes perfect.
Although set to music by Bella Bartok, some of the
isolation movement bore a resemblance to contemporary
movements pioneered by Bob Fosse.
Slow-motion movement
The second movement of the concerto, a pas de deux,
was dominated by sic v-motion movements in a wonderful
performance by Andrea Vodehnal. Accompanied by blue
lighting by Matthew C. Jacobs, the movement had a very
tidal, liquid feeling.
The third movement was strongly rhythmic, accented
with several series of marvelously executed grand jetes.
Truly, one of the highlights of the evening was an all-too-short
pas seul by Li Cuxin. His double and triple mid-air
pirouettes were breathtaking.
The second piece, "Three Preludes," also choreograph
ed by Ben Stevenson, was set to music by Serge Rach
maninoff. In 1972, Stevenson won first prize with "Three
Preludes in the category of modern choreography at the
International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria. Since
then it has been performed internationally by many
companies.
Contemporary setting
A tender pas de deux, 'Three Preludes' was a wonder
ful example of classic ballet movements in a contempor
ary setting. The stage was clear, except for a single
practice bar centerstage, and a grand piano, stage right.
Rachel Jonell Beard deserves special recognition for a
virtuoso performance of this idyllic ballet. Beard's move
ments were precise in every instance, from her pinpoint
perfect entrechats to her simple contractions, extensions
and arabesques.
Next on the program was "Don Quixote Pas De Deux,
performed by Janie Parker and Li Cuxin. This traditional
ballet, with choreography patterned after Marius Petipa,
was executed in the traditional sequined Spanish costume.
Characterized by dramatic poses and latin rhythmic
movement, "Don Quixote" was a flawless piece of classi
cal ballet. Once again, Li Cuxin's performance was a show
stopper. The elevation in his entrechats was incredible,
and his fouettes looked as if they were turned on a dime.
Cuxin's partner, Janie Parker, appeared somewhat
shaky on points at first, but she possessed an unmistak
ably dramatic flair appropriate for this ballet.
The most memorable piece on the program was
"Pi r2." With nothing on stage but a red cushion, "Pi r2
was an exercise in avant-garde dance. The soundtrack was
an intriguing combination of R2D2 noises and moog
synthesizers. Some of the movements were similar to
Martha Graham stiff, non-traditional positions and flexes.
Lighter fare
At one point,Rosemary Miles stuck her head out be
tween Steven Brule's legs and grabbed his calves. She was
then picked up from the rear and the three stiffly walked
about in a circle. "Pi r2" was a rather humorous work,
and lighter fare than the rest of the show. The facial ex
pressions of the dancers added a great deal to the dance.
Belushi is lighter spot in dark forest
By Casey McCabe
Continental Divide is one of those happy, harmless
movies where the action on screen vies with the quality of
the popcorn and the person sitting next to you for your
attention.
The predictable boy meets girl plot has a few nice
twists. John Belushi shows he can go the distance with
one character, a frumpy, crusading journalist named Ernie
Souchak who's recognized and respected on the streets of
his beloved Chicago.
Goowg reuisu
Blair Brown gets the best strong-willed heroine role
since Raiders of the Lost Ark. She's Nell, a Boston-born
orinthologist who shucks civilization to live in
independent solitude studying bald eagles in the Rockies.
The unlikely meeting we all suspect comes at the
y
It
"
n
Photo courtesy of Uniwsal City Studios
Joha Bcfas&i and Clair Brown star in Continental
Mvklti
urging of Souchak's editor, who fears his prize columnist
may be endangered by all the political skeletons he's been
jincovering. The solution: a trip to the timberline wilds of
Wyoming ( actually Colorado for you discerning panorama
fans) where he will write a piece on the woman and her
studies, but more importantly, get out of Chicago where
the muggers respect him and the cops beat him up.
Problem is, Souchak doesn't want to leave Chicago,
and his chain-smoking persona has little regard for where
the deer and the antelope play. Nell has even less respect
for journalists and greets the idea of his unannounced
two-week stay with only the most humanitarian of con
cerns for his survival, lest she turn him out in the snow.
Anyone with traditional cinematic instincts should be
able to see the embers glowing by now. Nell displays her
rugged individualistic charm while Ernie is disarmingly
unconvincing in displaying his backwoods prowess.
Realizing that their pairing is unavoidable for at least
two weeks, when a guide will come to retrieve Souchak.
they play coyly off their differences.
When the vast mountain scenes fade to the wilds of
Chicago we see that not only has Souchak fallen hard for
the woman he left behind, but he has lost his crusading
spirit, covering his walls with pictures of Nell and the
eagles.
From here Continental Divide falls into a series of cli
mactic moments culminating in a prolonged happy end
ing that would likely have fallen flat if not for Belushi's
irresistable comic presence.
Of course, the mountain scenes are beautiful and the
shots of the bald ealges in action are tasteful and
spectacular. Director Michael Apted should also be com
mended for showing the splendor of Chicago as fitting
competition to the wonders of nature.
Script-wise there are a few hitches. For one thing, we
never really see what makes Nell fall for Ernie, though it
is very apparent that the civilization-starved Souchak
would probably have begun making passes at elk if
trapped for more than two weeks.
Still, it is a love story and a successful light comedy.
Few will find it either offensively banal or profoundly
moving. Belushi's presence should not mislead anyone
into expecting a Saturday Night Live style farce, but it is
his special flair and maturing comic approach that pulls
Continental Divide out of the woods.
Unfortunately, the only piece on the program that was
not outstanding was the last piece, "Raymonda, Act III,
by Petipa. The technical performance of this ballet was
not as polished or precise as the other works. Although
the elaborate Tudor backdrop and Tudor costuming were
marvelous, the dance that went with it was but of sync at
times, and just a little sloppy. However, the thematic
variations were worth waiting for. Perhaps the best part of
"Raymonda was the pas seuls in the Pas Hongroise move
ment. The Houston Ballet is something of a newcomer in the
realm of contemporary ballet companies. It was formally
established in 1966. Since its inception, the company has
premiered in New York and gained international status as
an innovator in modern ballet.
The Houston Ballet represents an ideal chance to view
a highly regarded professional and expressive ballet
company, exemplifying diversified influences and schools
of thought. Both in its soloists and its "toute ensemble,
the Houston Ballet gave a great performance.
NETV fall season
includes new series,
local, national specials
By Cydney Wilson
Nebraska Educational Television has recently kicked
off its fall programming. This season's line up includes six
new national series and one new local series. This year
NETV is trying to broaden the sports, public affairs and
business prograrnming while still retaining the fine arts
and science prograrnming.
The Nightly Business Report, is one of the new series
offered in order to expand business prograrriming. It is a
nightly report telling of the days economic news. This
program begins Oct. 19 at 6 pjn. It intends to provide
broad coverage, with indepth studies of our nation's
economy and economics internationally.
Local programs
A locally produced program, Nebraska Journal will be
featured Thursdays at 9:30 pjn. Nebraska Journal will
focus on major social, political and economic issues facing
Nebraskans.
Some of the program subjects include the Faith Christ
ian School in Louisville, Neb., Sandhills irrigation,
uranium mining, cancer and birthing.
Miller's Court, featured on Thursdays at 8:30 p.m.,
examines legal aspects of social issues facing Americans.
Harvard Law School professor and Supreme Court adviser
Arthur Miller is the host Topics for the show include the
public employees right to strike, creationism vs.
evolution, landlords vs. tenants, censorslup, women and
the law and the death penalty.
Ask a Lawyer is a monthly program for people with
questions concerning specific legal issues. The program
airs Oct. 22 at 8:30 pjn., and provides the opportunity
for audience members to phone in questions.
Enterprise, a new program with Eric Sevareid as host,
examines the "market place" in a documentary fashion.
The program begins Oct. 9 at 8:30 pjn. and examines
such issues as price wars, bankruptcy and "agri-mania.
Sports show
In the area of sports, a new program, Soccer Made in
Germany, will air Sundays, beginning Oct. 11, at 5 pjn.
Each 60-minute program highlights major international
games featuring stars from the European circuit.
This fall's programming also offers a variety of specials
dealing with people and society. Specials include,
Stepping Out, airing Oct. 7 at 8 pjn. The program offers a
look at 40 people who are labeled mentally handicapped,
who give a performance at the Opera House in Sydney,
Australia.
Just Another Missing Kid, Oct. 14 at 8 pjn., is a true
detective story about a Canadian boy who disappears La
the U.S. It raises questions about police practices and the
judicial system in the United States.
Board and Care, follows at 9:30, with a story of two
mentally handicapped teen-agers who are building a mean
ingful relationship. The Hunter and the Hunted, is a docu
mentary focusing on the continuing search for Nazi War
Criminals, airing Oct. 21, at 8 pjn., hosted by Jose Ferrer.
A four-part special, Who's Keeping Score? premiers
Oct. 24 at 5 p.m. The program examines minimum
competency testing in U.S. schools.
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