Dance company presents review of best works

Friday, Jan. 10, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

"A Vision in the Desert" features selections from 13 of the 51 original ballets Sulich has created for NDT since 1972. Balletomanes can expect to see excerpts from "LaLuna," "Montodea," "LaBarre," "In Paradise Garden," "Slavonic Dances," "Greek Songs," "Hitchcock," "Hungarian Dances," "The Nutcracker," "Los Ninos," "Peter and the Wolf," "Walls in the Horizon," "Bolero" and "Cinderella."

"This beautiful state with golden sands and blue skies needed dancers to make it alive," Sulich says. "'A Vision in the Desert' is about that -- about bringing culture into Nevada. My memories of the early days when dancers rehearsed my ballet on a cement floor are wonderful, and I shall never forget. Out of what we were, is what we are today, Nevada Dance Theatre."

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" was written by Shakespeare in 1596. Considered one of his most popular comedies, the play was intended to be entertainment at a high-society wedding.

The NDT production of "Midsummer" has been choreographed by Toni Pimble, artistic director of the Eugene Ballet Company. Pimble's ballet begins in the fairy kingdom of Titania and Oberon. The costuming is Edwardian-style, lending a romantic look to the production. Pimble calls her version of "Midsummer" "a jewel box of a piece."

"I wanted to weave all the characters in and out and through like gossamer around a Maypole. At the end, everything is resolved between all the lovers and a wonderful pas de deux closes the ballet."

The ballet of "Midsummer" was first done in 1962 by George Balanchine. It was adapted from the opera of the same name with the score by Felix Mendelssohn. It is interesting to note that Mendelssohn's score was not long enough to produce a full-length ballet. To fill out his production, Balanchine had to add single works by the composer. After its debut, "Midsummer" was adapted again in 1964 into a ballet called "The Dream." There is also a jazz version of the story called "Swinging the Dream," and seven film adaptations, five which are silent movies.

"A Vision in the Desert" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will play 8 p.m. Feb. 15 and 2 p.m. Feb. 16. Special 25th anniversary celebration activities will follow each performance. For ticket information, call 895-3801.