The question on everyone’s mind was, “How is the weather going to be?” The forecast had called for strong storms, which was worrisome. Fortunately, the weather turned out to be mostly manageable.
Going into the Arpino Theater, I did not know what to expect. I’ve seen musicals and plays before, but never a ballet. However, I was still interested, and I ended up enjoying the ballet more than I expected.
The Arpino Dance Festival opened with Confetti, showcasing the talent of the dancers in a lighthearted way. The dancers wore candy-like colors, and they were all cheerful, smiling at all times. This contrasted with the next performance, Valentine, which was more humorous. It depicted the battle of the sexes through a man and a woman who were playfully fighting in a boxing arena. Their exaggerated expressions, in addition to a musician on stage, added to the comedy.
A brief intermission occurred before the third performance, Sea Shadow. The lost at sea theme was my favorite theme out of all the performances. The scenery, wardrobe, and orchestra all came together. However, the best performance was saved for last, which was Light Rain. I liked the change from only a few dancers on stage to multiple. Additionally, the raindrop choreography was well thought out and visually stunning. In a way, it reminded me of A Chorus Line. It was the perfect way to close the show.
Thank you to Macaulay for sponsoring the tickets. The seats were perfect. Since the first three rows were booked for us (with some strangers), we were able to see the performances from up close. I was truly impressed with the talent and effort of the performances.
Overall, I am glad I went on the trip. This was my first exposure to ballet, and I left the theater with a new appreciation for ballet and dance. I am now completely open to seeing more ballets if the opportunity arises in the future.
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