Dance

"Up Close" (and Very Personal) on Hope Street

Festival Ballet delivers on the small stage

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The Black Box Theatre within Festival Ballet's teaching facility has room for only 80 people, where the audience practically sits on stage with the dancers. There is no distance between spectator and performer to give the dancer the illusion that he or she is alone. Nor are there special effects to work with, other than selected music and the dimming of lights.

The current "Up Close" series allows one to examine the physical exertion and raw talent of the dancers in a way you can't at larger venues. And this spring’s line-up is particularly poignant, as one of the twelve pieces, Two Sisters – choreographed by Vilia Putrius – is dedicated to Jaclyn Ricci, a former member of Festival Ballet who tragically passed away in January. It is a beautiful, heart wrenching number that includes Jaclyn's sister, Jennifer Ricci, as one of the dancers.

With the "Up Close" series you get to sample a range of styles, from classic pas de deux ballet to more experimental arrangements. Festival Ballet artistic director Misha Djuric explains, "This program has such a big variety; nothing is too long, and if you don't like the whole thing, you should like the majority of the dances." It's the equivalent of a flight of wines. And being so close to the stage, the audience can viscerally sense the emotion and rigorous effort involved.

The Festival Ballet Providence School is based in the same building as the Black Box Theatre and a visitor can understand the progression that takes place among the studios: dancers who begin at five years old may eventually arrive at the Company Dancer level, after serving as Trainees and Apprentices. The Ricci sisters moved up the ranks this way."I want to give the younger, less experienced dancers a chance to work on something," Djuric says. "For them to improve and get better."

The "Up Close" series is a talent showcase for established company members, as well as a preview for the up-and-coming FBP stars. Apprentice Brenna DiFrancesco certainly grabs the opportunity, with a stunning performance in Dissociative Identity and Tangata. You don’t want to miss this show.

Festival Ballet's "Up Close" series runs April 4-5 & April 11-12. Tickets are $50.

Black Box Theatre 825 Hope St, Providence. (401) 353-1129.

festival ballet, ballet, up close, providence, black box theatre

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