Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Legends & Luminaries Performs March 14-15

Red Angels featuring former Pacific Northwest Ballet dancer Lesley Rausch and Pacific Northwest Ballet dancer Lucien Postlewaite.

By Debbie Hall

dhall@informermg.com

A vibrant blend of nostalgia, athleticism, and musical elegance arrives in Las Vegas when Nevada Ballet Theatre presents Legends & Luminaries, a striking triple bill performed March 14–15 at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The program highlights American dance and music history, inviting audiences to connect with cultural roots and feel inspired by the artistry.

Each ballet on the program offers a distinct artistic voice. The evening opens with Company B, the beloved piece by renowned choreographer Paul Taylor, set to the swinging harmonies of The Andrews Sisters. Rooted in the spirit of 1940s America, the ballet moves between carefree social dances and quieter moments of reflection, creating a shared cultural experience that celebrates American history.

Taylor's choreography radiates charm and nostalgia while revealing deeper human stories beneath the buoyant music. Spirited movement and period-style dances evoke soldiers, sweethearts, and the uncertainty of an era shaped by global conflict. The result is both uplifting and poignant, a work that continues to resonate decades after its premiere.

Amy Kleinendorst, a répétiteur responsible for staging Taylor's work, shared how the choreographer's influence continues to shape the rehearsal process.

"Every time I'm in the room, I have moments where I hear his voice," Kleinendorst said during a recent Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Behind the Scenes YouTube Interview. "I always want to share those stories. I'll stop rehearsal and say, 'This is what Paul said one time.' And they live on through our oral history of us passing it on."

She also reflected on how the dance community continues to honor Paul Taylor's legacy. 'When we lost him in 2018, it changed everything because he was always the last word. Now we don't have that,' Kleinendorst shared, reminding audiences of the importance of preserving artistic influence and inspiring appreciation for dance history.

The program then shifts dramatically with Red Angels, a work by the late choreographer Ulysses Dove. In stark contrast to Company B's nostalgic mood, this high-intensity work pulses with raw energy and fearless physicality. Dancers streak across the stage, bathed in dramatic red lighting, propelled by the electrifying sound of live electric violin. The piece is known for its relentless athleticism and emotional urgency, demanding extraordinary stamina and precision from the performers.

“It's just a real tour to force. It's high energy. You will see the four dancers, two men, two women. Each of them have very um individual and unique approach to the movement. The score, which is an electric violin solo and the violinist who actually played the premiere will be with us to play it on the Smith Center stage as well. You hold your breath throughout the whole thing. It's great,” explained Artistic Director Roy Kaiser during a recent Nevada Ballet Theatre’s Behind the Scenes YouTube Interview.

ZigZag Choreography by Jessica Lang. Featuring ABT dancers. Photo by Rosalie O’Connor courtesy of American Ballet Theatre.

Closing the evening is ZigZag, a sleek and stylish ballet by Jessica Lang, whose innovative choreography has garnered international acclaim. Set to the unmistakable voice of Tony Bennett, including a memorable duet with Lady Gaga, the work brings a sophisticated musicality to the stage. Lang's choreography blends classic elegance with contemporary movement, creating a buoyant and visually striking finale that celebrates the enduring appeal of the Great American Songbook and highlights the creative evolution of American ballet.

Together, the three pieces form a high-impact evening that showcases Nevada Ballet Theatre's range—from vintage Americana to modern intensity and polished contemporary style.

The performances also arrive during International Women's Month, offering an opportunity to celebrate artistic voices shaping today's dance landscape while honoring influential figures from the past.

Located in the heart of Symphony Park in downtown Las Vegas, The Smith Center for the Performing Arts has become the city's cultural centerpiece since opening in 2012. The world-class performing arts campus hosts resident companies, touring productions, and internationally acclaimed artists across theater, music, and dance.

Legends & Luminaries will be performed at The Smith Center at 7:30 p.m. on March 14 and at 2 p.m. on March 15. For more information, visit thesmithcenter.com and nevadaballet.org. Follow The Smith Center on Facebook and Instagram at @SmithCenterLV and YouTube and follow Nevada Ballet Theater on Facebook @NevadaBalletTheatre, Instagram @NVBallet, and YouTube.