Scene from La Lune De Bleu.. Photo Courtesy DALA

Scene from La Lune de Bleu. Photo Courtesy DALA

BY MICHELANGELO LOBATO
DALA Dad

In a spellbinding fusion of light, music, and movement, the production La Lune de Bleu left me awestruck. Written and directed by Dane Arts Los Alamos (DALA) artistic director, Jonathan Guise, whose career as both a performer and director has garnered numerous accolades, this ballet is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the art form and to Dance Arts Los Alamos.

La Lune de Bleu features over 75 DALA students, four guest performers, and three professional dancers—Skylar Burson, Aiden Moss, and Brandon Penn. Burson, Moss, and Penn’s performances were stunning, but DALA’s students performed at the same level.

The choreography and staging brings the story to life, not only telling the tale, but revealing the emotional depths of each character. The score for La Lune de Bleu complements the choreography with breathtaking precision. The breadth of characters and story arcs is made manifest through the careful crafting and thoughtful collaboration between Guise, Rachel Zervakos, Allison Beaux, Isabella Jimenez, Audrey Roman, and Karina Wilder.

I am admittedly biased and thought my daughter, Eliana, was the best part of the show, but Allyson Harbert and Anabel Irving also stood out. Harbert and Irving are sharing the role of Selene at alternate performances. Harbert’s dancing is flawless and she glides effortlessly across the stage. Irving’s dancing is equally beautiful as she interprets the role of Selene in her own way. As a whole, the acrobatics and athleticism of this show elevate our local dance company to a level higher than I’ve ever seen in a DALA production.

This is not a show to miss. Catch the Sunday matinee at 2 pm at Duane Smith Auditorium.