“Carmen” Opens Joffrey’s 70th Season

By Flo Mano with Wes Hessel

The Joffrey Ballet opened this milestone year at the Civic Opera house with the U.S. premiere of Bizet’s “Carmen”, choreographed by the late Liam Scarlett. At the opening, a dramatic red roses embroidered curtain and a silhouette: Carmen (played by the amazing Victoria Jaiani) – a feisty Romani, a carefree, independent, liberated woman before her time, her ensemble red with a muted lace overlay, as designed by costumer Jon Bausor. 

The story is set during the civil war in Spain (the 1930’s), the first act taking place in a cigarette factory where corps of women workers in vibrant colors and soldiers fill the stage in a grand allegro. The set design (also by Mr. Bausor) of the manufacturing plant is minimalist, wood planked with muted, subdued, taupe shades, marked by revolutionary signs and propaganda. When the guard Zuniga (Aaron Renteria) leaves, Carmen enters to entertain the troops and spots Don Jose (Alberto Velazquez), throwing him a flower. Micaela (Gaylon Jung), Don Jose’s girlfriend, arrives to give him a letter, segueing to their pas de deux.

When the second act begins, Carmen is at a tavern with her friends, dancing and drinking. The tall bullfighter Escamillo (Dylan Gutierrez) appears and confidently seemingly seduces Carmen from across the stage, then Don Jose and Carmen indulge in manic passion, agreeing to flee together.

In the third act, Carmen is marrying Escamillo, to the March of the Toreadors, commanding in their synchronized stature by the men’s corps. Carmen regrets marrying him as he roughly pushes her; she dances a stoic sad solo, eyes wide in fear. Don Jose returns and they dance a passionate pas de deux – he implores her but she rejects him. Blinded by obsessed possession, in fury he pulls her by her hair across the stage and stabs her, Carmen dying in his arms.

The lighting design by James Francombe adds to the feel of each act. The Joffrey dancers are top notch in their craft: precision, athleticism, grace, emotion, nuances, strength, and endurance. Do not miss this compelling production of the classic story of passion – “Carmen” runs only through September 28th, so please go to www.joffrey.org for tickets or more information.

Category: Uncategorized