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Photography courtesy BalletX, Photo By Bill Hebert (BHPhotos)

BalletX is back at the Wilma, opening their third season as the theater’s resident dance company. The cutting-edge company’s Fall Series features three world premiere pieces, two by visiting choreographers and one by BalletX’s co-artistic director, the ever-talented Matthew Neenan.

The first piece, Philly choreographer Meredith Rainey’s They Break, starts off peacefully with the impression of meditating bodies rising from the sea. Set to haunting music and full of mysterious gestures, the dancers – men and women both clad in fabulously flowing fabric – hurtle through a series of emotions. Their beautiful movements range from tender and graceful to violent, rough, and jerky.

The second piece, Alex Ketley’s Silt, is also peaceful at times but punctuated by spasm-like fits of incredible movement. Starkly designed to draw the audience’s attention directly to the dancer’s bodies, the stage is spot-lit, the dancers black-clad, and those who aren’t in focus retreat to the back of the stage to perch on black chairs. The dancers are artfully paired with one another, performing extraordinary lifts and movements that make you marvel at what the human body is capable of.

The last dance, entitled Last of the Year, is set to a mash-up of upbeat classical music. Neenan’s choreography simply sparkles, forcing a smile onto your face as the ceaselessly energetic dancers perform almost inhuman movements of extraordinary athleticism. With vibrant costumes in dazzling colors, the piece is a striking contrast to the calm and monochromatic dance that precedes it. The choreography is filled with humorous touches that frequently elicited chuckles from the audience (Humorous dance? Yup!), and the dancers’ enjoyment was palpable and contagious, ending the evening on a high note.

BalletX is always thrilling to watch. The dancers are gorgeous, the choreography is frequently magical, and the company’s energy vibrates through the house. The company is a true Philly gem, and it’s just too bad that the show only runs for four days. Make sure to catch it this weekend!

Ballet X Fall Series
November 19th – 22nd
www.balletx.org

The Wilma Theatre
265 South Broad Street Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 546-7824
www.wilmatheater.org