Virsky Ukrainian Dance Company to perform in Morristown in November

by Ika Koznarska Casanova

MORRISTOWN, N.J. - The renowned Virsky Ukrainian Dance Company, a premiere professional dance troupe known for the virtuosity and technical brilliance of its choreography, will appear here at the Community Theater on Saturday, November 13, at 8 p.m.

Conceived of as a celebration of the spirit of a people through dance, the company of more than 80 dancers, who are professionally trained in ballet, as well as traditional folk dance, presents a diverse program that draws on Ukraine's rich heritage.

Founded in 1937 by Ukrainian ballet master and choreographer Pavlo Virsky, whose choreography still forms the essential core of the repertoire, the company has been directed by Myroslav Vantukh since 1980.

By combining brilliant ballet technique with traditional Ukrainian folk dance, Virsky, who headed the ensemble from 1955 to 1975, created a company that gained worldwide acclaim of audiences and critics alike, for its technically superb and innovative choreography.

Virsky attributed the style of the company to "the close ties we (Ukrainians) have with our national folk art and with the achievements in classical dance which is part of our heritage ... Both elements are combined in our approach so that we may always maintain the highest level of technique together with a harmonious beauty of presentation" (Kyiv, 1966).

Virsky noted that the operative principle informing his work was not the simple copying of ethnographic patterns of Ukrainian folk dance but rather the enrichment of existing forms "by means of creative interpretation."

Mr. Vantukh, as Mr.Virsky's disciple, sees his main objective as the preservation and development of folk choreographic art. Apart from such signature Virsky pieces as "My z Ukrainy" (We're from Ukraine) and "Zaporozhtsi" (Zaporozhian Kozaks), as well as such playful and humorous works as "Povzunets" and "Under the Cherry Tree," and the lyrical "Verbychenka" (The Weeping Willow), the concert program will include new dances choreographed by Mr. Vantuch that have become part of the troupe's repertoire.

Tickets for the performance range in price from $30 to $42. Tickets, including group discounted tickets, for the event may be purchased online at www.communitytheatrenj.org, at the Community Theater box office, 1100 South St., or by calling (973) 539-8008. Box office hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Please call the box office to confirm pricing and availability.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, October 24, 2004, No. 43, Vol. LXXII

| Home Page |