Reviewer: Chloë Cerva
Venue: The Temple Theatre
That was the question my close girl friend and I asked ourselves the moment we booked our “Galentine’s” date for Swan Lake at the Temple Theatre. Without a prior discussion, we put together our outfits in perfect contrast: I showed up as the seductive, dark Odile in black tulle and gold; she was the cursed princess Odette in satin, bows, and diamond teardrops. Half the fun of an iconic ballet is the atmosphere! The lobby was a sea of monochrome fashion, filled with people snapping photos and exchanging compliments. By the time the curtain parted, we were already swept up in the magic.
The production was breathtaking from the first note. Seeing a cast of this size in Saginaw felt like a luxury. The talent, hand-painted backdrops, and glittering costumes rivaled anything you’d see in a much larger city. It was clear that thousands of hours of discipline had been poured into the craft. The leads, Odette/Odile, Prince Siegfried, and the menacing Baron von Rothbart, were powerhouses, but it was the mischievous Jester who kept the energy high with effortless pirouettes and lots of laughs.
The standout moment to me was, of course, the legendary black swan pas de deux. Watching Odile nail the 32 fouetté turns was mesmerizing. The audience sat in a never-ending trance, unsure when to break the silence with the loud applause she deserved. Then in contrast, her portrayal of Odette was so fluid and ethereal that it was easy to forget she was human. Beside her, Prince Siegfried brought a powerful athleticism to the stage, his leaps gravity-defying and his facial expressions filled with love and longing.
My favorite scenes took place at the lakeside, where the haunting fog and the “lake of tears” backdrop created a truly somber, romantic atmosphere. The corps de ballet moved with perfect synchronicity, swaying and portraying the long necks and graceful wings of swans. Something that made the night very happy and sweet were the local young dancers who joined the professional cast. They hit every mark with big radiant smiles, clearly enjoying the opportunity of sharing the stage with their idols. They did a very good job and should be very proud of themselves!
Overall, it was a night of emotion, tradition, and stunning imagery. It left me so inspired that I’m headed home to revisit a childhood classic: I’ll be digging out the 2003 Barbie of Swan Lake DVD just so I can experience the story all over again, this time with dialogue!