Las Vegas Weekly

Tonight: Brave New World

The Nevada Ballet Theater’s brave new work may be the hottest date night around

Even hotter with dancers in them.

Photo: Xania Woodman

It was hot and steamy in the Nevada Ballet Theater practice room last Friday afternoon, and not just because the troupe of streamlined, hard-bodied dancers were going for broke in their skimpy practice duds.

A rare, informal preview of the piece called Cyclical Night — one of three to be featured in this weekends' show Brave New World — revealed (at least to this complete ballet neophyte) that ballet can indeed have a dark, sensual and even an erotic side.

Yes, you read that right — this is some damned sexy ballet!

The intentionally erotic piece, choreographed by artistic director James Canfield and set to a Flamenco-style soundtrack, is all lingering looks, steamy flirtation, and jilted lovers. In a sort of implied storyline that suits the sometimes violent accordion music, two men at one point vie for the attention of one gorgeous dancer Rebecca Brimhall. Said Canfield to the audience, which included local media and arts boosters, "Every woman likes two men fighting for them."

The Tango, explained Canfield, was "more of a point of departure." In another vignette, two men spar to a song conveniently called "Knife Fight," by Astor Piazzolla. "It has an aggression I thought would be nice," said Canfield of the piece.

Brave New World also features An Incandescent Start, new work by NY-based choreographer, Thaddeus Davis, and Song of the Nightingale, based on the original Hans Christian Andersen tale by local artist and KA performer Gail Gilbert.

Hot, sexy, dark ballet. Think date night, people. Now if this doesn't get you in the mood, you may wish to check your pulse...

The Nevada Ballet Theater performs Brave New World tonight, Saturday, March 27 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 28 at 2 p.m. in the Artemus Ham Concert Hall on the UNLV campus. Tickets start at $10 and $20 for balcony seating and go up to $75. Mention promotion code "Emperor" for $10 off the $35, $49 or $75 seats.