slides: Party Report: Oregon Ballet Theatre’s 25 at Keller

Monday, October 13, 2014

Byron Beck, GoLocalPDX Features Editor

Nicolo and China

Nicolo Fonte and China Forbes dancing onstage following OBT's opening night show. Photo by Byron Beck

Oregon Ballet Theatre kicked off its 25th Anniversary with a spectacular evening of dance…and memories…at the Keller Auditorium on Saturday night.

The evening began with a bow to ballet god, and one of the biggest influences on OBT as well as all ballet companies, George Balanchine. OBT’s incredible group of dancers performed his legendary “Agon”—an almost icily, plotless ballet from 1957 for 12 dancers with a complex 12-tone score by Igor Stravinsky.

Following “Agon,” the night continued with duets from the three choreographers who had as much as if not more influence than Balanchine in shaping the OBT we know today: Trey McIntyre’s 2013 “Robust American Love,” Christopher Stowell’s 2011 “Carmen,” and James Canfield’s 1989 “Romeo & Juliet.” It was nothing short of thrilling to once again see the works of these incredible choreographers grace the Portland stage. A nice touch? The sweet introductions from those close to the choreographers including Mayor Sam Adams, Portland Center Stage's Chris Coleman and former OBT dancers Tracy Taylor and Matthew Boyes.

The centerpiece of the night was a world premiere from Nicolo Fonte called "Never Stop Falling (In Love)" featuring a live performance by Portland’s own Pink Martini and costumes by Project Runway champ Michelle Lesniak. It was effervescent, evocative, emotional and a perfect pairing of Pink’s pop orchestra sharpness with Fonte’s quick-witted modern movement.

SLIDESHOW: See more OBT 25th Opening Night photos below.

The night concluded with a late-night opening night after-party on the same stage where the dancers and Pink Martini had just concluded their performance. Nibbles, nosh, cocktails and much more dancing wrapped up what many considered a perfect night of Portland dance. Congrats to Artistic Director Kevin Irving for creating a night to truly remember. Truly.