February 13, 2007

FAMED CHOREOGRAPHER NEUMEIER
FETED AT HAMBURG CAST PARTY

By Ann Conway

John Neumeier with Mary and John Cramer

No sooner had John Neumeier, artistic director of the esteemed Hamburg Ballet, swept into The Center Room for the cast party following the company's opening at the Orange County Performing Arts Center of The Lady of the Camellias - with music by Chopin - than he was surrounded by ecstatic well-wishers and eager paparazzi.

"Europe knows him, adores him. Neumeier is a legend! And America is discovering him!" exclaimed The Center Vice President Judith O'Dea Morr, her cheeks flushed with excitement from the repeated ovations given the company.

Center Executive Vice President Judy Morr,
Michele Rohe´ and John Neumeier

Observed lover of the dance and Center donor, William Gillespie: "Neumeier is one of the most intellectual choreographers in the world, probably the greatest choreographer in the world today."

Also rhapsodizing about the beauty of the work - based on Alexander Dumas Jr.'s beloved tale of tragic romance - at the Feb. 13 launch of its exclusive So. California engagement was Center President Terry Dwyer: "I was thrilled by the emotion of the dancers - expressed not only in their beautiful dancing, but in a simple hand gesture, a caress on the cheek," he said. "They are brilliant athletes and actors at the same time.""

George and Terry Schreyer with
John Neumeier

The elegant Neumeier confessed that he had been concerned about the company being able to "project" emotion to an audience seated in the vast 3,000-seat Segerstrom Hall. "But the hall's architecture provides the intimacy that is very important for this work," he explained. "And it was wonderful." His artistic goal for the enactment of the Dumas masterpiece that inspired Verdi's La Traviata and Greta Garbo’s Camille was simple, he said: "I just want to tell the truth. And it is a sad truth, a story that we can all relate to because in its 19th century setting, a beautiful girl is dying of consumption. But she could be dying of anything - so much can be read into it by anyone who sees it. That's what makes it timeless."

Center President Terry Dwyer,
Judy Morr and John Neumeier.

After nearly three hours onstage, cast members welcomed the opportunity to sip bubbly and dig into a prime rib buffet with the trimmings - baked potatoes, veggies, watercress salad and fresh rolls. "Yes, I'm exhausted, but also very happy that I made it through; it is a beautiful role," said lead dancer Alexandre Riabko, who plays the earnest and naive suitor, Armand Duval, who is smitten with the ill-fated courtesan, Marguerite Gautier (danced by the delicately framed Joëlle Boulogne.) Shared Boulogne, who had changed from her onstage flowy white chiffon gown to blue jeans: "It takes a lot, living with this lovely and tragic character for three hours. And each time, it is like the first time - feeling all that this woman is going through. She gives everything to this man and that is an emotional thing to experience."

Sharon Lebon with Hamburg
Ballet's Edvin Revazov

John Neumeier and
L.A. Times' Carol Bonner

Also on the scene: Mary and Richard Cramer, LA Times Community Affairs Director Carol Bonner, Michelle Rohé and Mary Roosevelt, Guilds of The Center Chairman Linda Thauer and husband Bob, Judy Fluor Runnels, Bill Gillespie, Kay Fukunaga and Dale Cangiano and Sharon and Bruno Lebon.