Ballet company jumps at the opportunity to show national spirit

As a centuries-old dance form, ballet can be intimidating for new audience members and leave them feeling as if they’ve come late to the game. But American Ballet Theatre aims to change that with its 2011 fall season.

The season began on Nov. 8 and will continue through Nov. 13 at New York City Center (131 W. 55th St., between Sixth and Seventh avenues). This season’s premise is to allow audiences the opportunity to see the ballet company, one of the foremost in the world, in a more intimate venue. ABT most often appears at the 3,800-seat Metropolitan Opera House, so performances at City Center, which seats 2,225, seem small by comparison.

Another notable aspect of the season is its lineup, which features works created almost exclusively by American choreographers—they are artists known for their modern and contemporary dance works, rather than as ballet specialists. In fact, classical and traditional ballets are nowhere to be found in this lineup. This is an ambitious undertaking for ABT, a company known for being somewhat conservative.

ABT calls itself “America’s national ballet company,” and seems to be seeking to prove itself worthy of that motto. Two of the works to be performed this season, choreographed by Paul Taylor, explore themes of American history and spirit. His piece “Black Tuesday” recalls the struggle of the Great Depression and celebrates “the nation’s can-do spirit.” It is set to Depression-era music. “Company B,” the second Taylor piece, is inspired by American life during World War II and is set to swing-era songs by the Andrews Sisters.

“Sinatra Suite,” a piece by choreographer Twyla Tharp, also references American culture. Inspired by the music of Frank Sinatra, the piece is dramatic and slinky. Two other athletic and energetic Tharp works, “In the Upper Room” and “Known By Heart Pas de Deux” will run. Other works by American choreographers include Merce Cunningham’s “Duets” and Martha Clarke’s “The Garden of Villandry.”

There are only two pieces in the lineup that were not created by American choreographers. The first is a world premiere by Argentine choreographer Demis Volpiwho, at just 25 years old, recently won the prestigious Erik Bruhn Prize for choreography. The other is Russian choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, one of the most sought after contemporary ballet choreographers. He signed on as ABT’s Artist in Residence in 2009. The company will perform his “Seven Sonatas,” an audience favorite and the third work Ratmansky ever created for ABT.

ABT’s Fall Season provides an opportunity for students to see ballet without the fluff and formality that usually accompanies it. ABT is offering student rush tickets for the fall season tonight through Sunday, Nov. 12 at a price of $15 for balcony seats and $20 for orchestra