Ballet Hispanico November 8, 2009

Queens Theatre in the Park (QTP) presents Ballet Hispanico from November 7-8, 2009 in the Claire Shulman Playhouse Main Stage Theatre at Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Flushing, NY. Tickets are $41-44 and are available at www.queenstheatre.org or by phone at 718-760-0064.

Performances will include a preview performance of “Tríptico”, a new work by choreographer Ron De Jesús, in collaboration with GRAMMY Award-winning composer Oscar Hernández. Choreographer Ron De Jesús challenges traditional Latin social rhythms with the power, speed, and control of contemporary partnering. This daredevil interpretation of GRAMMY Award-winning Oscar Hernandez’ commissioned score takes an athletic approach to the romantic pas de deux. Three couples fold and unfold into one another, transforming the standard triptych into a dynamic expression of energy, silhouette and composition. The company will also perform “Goodnight Paradise” (1994), a revival of Ramon Oller’s catalan lyrics, haunting tableaus, and relationships that stem from the dark side of the heart shape this powerful and highly physical piece of dance theater. This piece was last performed by the Company in 1999. In Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s duet, “Locked Up Laura” (2009), a longstanding partnership forged through the daily discipline of dance faces the moment when one partner loses artistic focus. Ochoa fractures classical ballet technique to capture the wry humor and poignant emotion of this final pas de deux, as Rijnink’s spare soundscape takes the duo from offstage to the spotlight and back. The revival of Vicente Nebrada’s work “Batucada Fantástica” (1982) evokes the essence of Brazilian Carnival through eight electric solos, culminating in a riotous ensemble finale. “Batucada Fantástica” rejoins the repertory after 12 years.

With theatricality and passion propelling every move, the dancers of Ballet Hispanico bring a dramatic sensibility and contagious delight to each performance. New versatile programs demonstrate the high-energy pulse of Latino rhythms and contemporary choreographic perspectives.