Ballet presents work of famous choreographer

By Becky Bosshart

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 | 4:05 p.m.

The romantic moonlit ballet "Serenade," performed famously by dancers in blue against a blue background, will premiere in Las Vegas alongside two other great Balanchine ballets performed by the Nevada Ballet Theatre.

But the performance will have more to offer than the beauty of dance, said Sandy Jennings, former New York City Ballet dancer and a George Balanchine student. Sports fans can appreciate the athleticism of the dancers, she said.

"You can go to appreciate the ballet for many reasons, for the beauty of the dancing, the beautiful men and women dancing on the stage, and the music. Ballet dancers are great athletes but they're also great artists."

Balanchine is one of the 20th century's foremost choreographers and a pioneer of American ballet. He was the ballet master and co-founder of the New York City Ballet in 1948. Jennings now teaches the steps and interprets the roles for dancers as part of the George Balanchine Trust.

She is working with the Summerlin company as it prepares for its All-Balanchine Program at 8 p.m. Feb. 6 and 2 p.m. Feb. 7 at UNLV's Artemus Ham Concert Hall, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway. The program also features the premiere of "Concerto Barocco" and the return of the favorite "Who Cares?" Balanchine's tribute to Broadway set to the music of George Gershwin.

Jennings said "Serenade" will captivate the audience with its graceful lines.

Twenty-six dancers participate in this ballet, which starts in diagonal lines. Balanchine was inspired by the California orange groves, she said. He choreographed practice mistakes into the dance, such as when a dancer arrives late. "Serenade" was the first ballet Balanchine created in the United States.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic will accompany with Tchaikovsky's "Serenade for Strings" with Associate Conductor Richard McGee. "Concerto Barocco" is set to Bach's "Double Violin Concerto in D Minor."

"Concerto" is one of the great neo-classical ballets with no story, Jennings said. "It is architectural," she said. "The dancers represent the music and the orchestra begins with eight women. Two come in and they represent the violin soloists."

She said an interesting feature in the 20-minute ballet are the hops on point in the third movement.

Balanchine's choreography captured Jennings attention at a young age.

"I saw the New York City Ballet when I was 10 years old and I said to my mom, 'I want to dance for the person who made those ballets.' I made it my goal to get to New York and work with Balanchine. And I did. Working with was a unique experience."

That art has been a part of Jennings' life since she was 13, starting out as a ballerina with the Boston Ballet. She went on scholarship to the School of American Ballet in New York, where she studied under Balanchine. Jennings said she was a "bun head," a girl whose mind was only on ballet.

At 15, Jennings performed Balanchine's "Tarantella" and in spring 1974 joined the New York City Ballet. Jennings had about 10 years of study under the renowned ballet master. Balanchine died in 1983.

She described him as a demanding teacher, but well mannered. He was paternal toward his students, once even paying for Jennings' doctor's visit.

Every step mattered, she said. He constantly quoted TV commercials. The ballets would pour out of him. He was known for this line, Jennings said: "God creates; man assembles."

Ticket prices range from $25 to $75 and can be ordered by calling 895-ARTS or by visiting www.nevadaballet.com.

Becky Bosshart can be reached at 990-7748 or [email protected].