The Washington Ballet Rocks!

(L-R) Edward Tracz and 'Rock & Roll' performers Rui Huang, Diana Albrecht, and Jasmin Dwyer.

Be sure to check out all 31 of our photographs from this event HERE!

PENN QUARTER -- You can’t always get what you want… / But if you try sometimes, you might find… / You get what you need… -Rolling Stones

And fans and supporters of the Washington Ballet (TWB) most definitely got what they needed at Sidney Harman Hall on Thursday night, as the performance company unveiled its most recent production: a rock-infused, high energy and athletic program appropriately titled Rock & Roll.

Divided into three distinct pieces – all unified by a steady stream of rock music reverberating throughout the venue -- Rock & Roll is an ambitious performance that showcases the choreography of Trey McIntyre, TWB Artistic Director Septime Webre, and Christopher Bruce.

McIntyre’s High Lonesome kicks things off with an autobiographical (“This is about my family. Some of it is true.” reads the program) dance portrait set to the music of Beck. And while the songs (Where It’s At, Devil’s Haircut, Ramshackle, etc.) were naturally enjoyable, Sandra Woodall’s minimalist costume and set designs were the performance’s real highlights in serving to underscore the sheer athleticism of the choreography. Brief brushes with silence between songs were also truly emotive and noteworthy.

Rock & Roll really hits its stride during its second act, however, as the stage comes alive in a revival of Webre’s 1996 hit, Fluctuating Hemlines. The stage overflows with energy as the performers seem to relax a bit and generally have fun with each individual dance. And Robert “Tigger” Benford’s all-percussion original score, as performed live by Native Tongue (of which Tigger is also a member), really had the audience keyed-up and engrossed in the overall presentation of the piece.

A celebrated British choreographer, Bruce had the honor of closing the evening with a nod to his fellow countrymen, the Rolling Stones, through the performance of his work Rooster. A playful series of pieces from start to finish, he somehow found a way to successfully articulate the intrinsic qualities of ballet – grace, fluidity, athleticism – through a raucous soundtrack provided by one of the most successful music groups of the last century.

The Atrium at Sidney Harman Hall overflowed with friends and family of TWB after last night's performance.
After the performance had concluded, guests were invited to join the cast and company inside the venue’s underground atrium for a series of late night toasts, well-deserved congratulatory remarks, and special thank yous to all of TWB's friends and supporters.

(L-R) Jeté Society Dance Party Co-Chair Ashley Taylor, Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti's Sally Stiebel, Venturehouse Group Founder Mark Ein, TWB dancer Morgann Frederick, and longtime TWB supporter Kitty Skallerup.
The Washington Ballet is clearly on a (rock and) roll!


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To purchase performance tickets to The Washington Ballet’s Rock & Roll, please visit the Harman Center for the Arts’ box office.


Be sure to check out all 31 of our photographs from this event HERE!


TWB Artistic Director Septime Webre toasts the company's cast and many supporters.