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Opening night of Kansas City Ballet’s run of Giselle at the Lyric Theatre brought the considerable crowd to its feet as dancers Kimberly Cowen and Geoffrey Kropp stepped out of the closed curtain for an encore bow. The evening’s success is largely due to Thursday’s lead dancers, whose performances were breathtaking. Each brought impressive and authentic qualities to the full-length classical work.

The role of Giselle is quite possibly the most difficult and demanding part for a ballerina. She is on stage throughout the majority of the two-hour ballet, and she has to be in pristine technical shape as well as an emotive actress. Embodying the naïve Giselle, Cowen delighted in the first half as she coquettishly showed off her playful side, lightly flitting around stage and balancing at the drop of a hat.

She and Kropp made a charming pair, playing off each other’s energy and creating a believable story for the audience to get lost in. Celebration of Giselle and Albrecht’s engagement is quickly destroyed as she discovers he is a prince and betrothed to another woman. Cowen skillfully portrayed the innocent girl, who loses her mind and dies because her weak heart can’t withstand the betrayal. The hardest thing for a dancer is to be out of control, but Cowen fully committed herself to the vulnerability.

The couple reunites in Act II when Albrecht searches the forest for Giselle, who has begun her afterlife as a Wili. Despite their worldly separation, the two embrace as they dance together for the last time and pledge their never-ending love. Cowen’s remarkable ethereality and subdued determination was hauntingly beautiful. Kropp never faltered or faded and his efforts were impressive both emotionally and physically.

The corps women in both acts performed in unison, displaying grace, stamina and respectable formations. Laura Wolfe and Alexander Peters skillfully executed the “Peasant Pas de Deux” in Act I. The young couple danced eagerly, full of vigor and joy.

The Kansas City Symphony, conducted by Ramona Pansegrau, played beautifully, bringing Adolphe Adam’s ample score to life. Oliver Smith’s lavish scenery and Stanley Simmons’s authentic, classical, romantic costumes completed the transformation. It is rare for a work to encompass and provoke so many emotions, which makes Giselle stand out from most.

REVIEW:
Kansas City Ballet
Giselle
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. (Reviewed)
Friday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 12 at 2:00 & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 13 at 2:00 p.m.
Lyric Theatre
1029 Central,  Kansas City, MO
For tickets, call 816-931-2232 or visit www.kcballet.org

Top Photo: Dancers Kimberly Cowen & Geoffrey Kropp (Photo by Steve Wilson) 

By Laura Vernaci

Dance Contributor

Laura Vernaci is a Kansas City native who has always been passionate about the arts, particularly dance. She began dance lessons at the young age of five and hasn't stopped since. She trained at the Kansas City Ballet where she became a serious dancer and learned about a professional company. 

She attended Butler University in Indianapolis, IN where she majored in dance. She transferred to Truman State University in Kirksville, MO in 2006 and received a degree in Journalism in May 2008.  Laura spent the 2008-2009 in Duluth, MN dancing professionally for the Minnesota Ballet. She performed in productions such as, "The Nutcracker," "Cinderella" and "Coppelia" as well as world premier ballets created on the company.

She recently moved back to Kansas City and is excited to combine her experience in writing with her passion for dance. In addition to performing and writing, Laura also enjoys teaching dance and choreographing.