Vampire’s Ball

There was a media preview of Vampire Ball at the Orlando Ballet building near Lake Ivanhoe. I arrived a bit early and hung out with several reporters in the lobby. I looked down a long hallway which had a large puddle which was being mopped up. The building is below the water level of Lake Ivanhoe so the water keeps seeping in. At the top of the open staircase several young dancers were using the railing to balance as they stretched. I entered the room where the preview was being staged and I started blocking in the room before the reporters entered.

Robert Hill the Ballet’s Artistic Director introduced the show. The choreography is all original as a matter of fact they are still polishing dances right up until the show opens. All of the dancers lined up chorus line style and each introduced themselves and said where they came from. The first dance had a Frankenstein theme. A dancer lay prone on a coffee table and the mad scientist brought him to life. Another dance had a sinister vampire who seduced his victims through dance. On the sidelines there was a large cast of dancers who watched as they stretched. They all came on stage for a huge zombie fight scene. The zombies fought as if in a neighborhood turf war.

Whenever I’m alone with you played and a young couple in love danced and embraced. All of the choreography was fluid, well staged and exciting. This was modern ballet with an edge. It was visceral and exciting. The Vampire’s Ball is being performed October 21-23. This is a show I certainly don’t want to miss.