{image1} Petr Zahradnicek, a member of Milwaukee's Corps de Ballet for over a year now, has danced in Prague, Wurzberg and New York, among many other places, over the past 10 years, but Thursday's opening for the Milwaukee Ballet at The Pabst Theater is something a bit new to him.
The opening of "Fresh Four February" is a new experience for Zahradnicek because it features the first piece he's ever professionally choreographed. He says choreographing the piece, "As Always," was "new, but new in an old way."
Having worked extensively for choreographers around the world, developing something of his own came quite naturally to him. And although Zahradnicek was uncertain how his colleagues would adjust to taking direction from him, normally a fellow dancer, he was pleased they took to his work as well as they did.
The demanding rehearsal schedule of "Fresh Four February" was challenging, so the ease and comfort of working with the company was essential. Union regulations kept the company from being pushed too hard, but the schedule was rigorous nonetheless. They rehearsed six hours every day Monday through Friday for five weeks. Along with the obvious physical demand for Zahradnicek, he was stretched in all directions with dual roles, sometimes having as little as five minutes to switch from one role to the other.
Zahradnicek stumbled into the role of choreographer when Milwaukee Ballet artistic director Michael Pink saw a piece he had choreographed for something Robert Schumann composed. Zahradnicek's piece included folk-inspired movements in contemporary choreography. Pink asked him to do more with Schumann, and so he did, developing dance for all five pieces in Schumann's folk-like series. The result, "As Always," is about 18 minutes long and includes five men and five women who express the cycles and stages of romantic relationships.
Zahradnicek's piece is in the middle of the concert. And while "As Always" is a blend of folk, modern and classical styles, the other three pieces on "Fresh Four February" are as different from it as they are from each other, providing a variety of performances rarely seen on a single evening's ballet.
John Utans' "Night Falls Fast," is about the nature of change. It's a very energetic, contemporary piece and won at the 2002 International Choreographic Competition. Zahradnicek dances solo in it. Michael Pink's piece is inspired by the Degas sculpture, "Little Dancer, Aged 14," and Andre Tyson's piece is inspired by choreographer Alvin Ailey's work.
"Fresh Four February," plays Feb. 17-20 at the Pabst Theater. Tickets range in price from $20 to $79 and can be purchased by calling the Pabst box office at (414) 286-3663.
