San Francisco Ballet’s Frankenstein, running through May 4, is billed as offering a “visceral, emotionally charged journey into life, death, love, and identity,”
Reader, they’re not lying.
I went Saturday night and I. was. blown. away.
The dancing was beautiful, with lovely, tender passages between Victor Frankenstein and his childhood sweetheart. And the miming was so clear I was able to follow the story even though this was my first time seeing this ballet, choreographed by Liam Scarlett for the UK’s Royal Ballet.
(I am a very big fan of Young Frankenstein, but that was not that helpful in this instance. I was saying, “Frankenstein-shtEEN” in my head a little bit, though.)
The flash-bang pyrotechnics of the lab where Frankenstein creates his monster were a lot of fun, kind of like watching the chandelier do its thing in Phantom of the Opera, only with a lot more razzle dazzle. But the real fireworks happened whenever the Creature took the stage. Cavan Conley danced the role Saturday, and he was amazing. Graceful and strong one minute, twitchy and unraveling the next. Menacing (and casually murderous) and yet at the same time so desperately craving love and connection. At the end of the performance, Artistic Director Tamara Rojo announced Conley’s promotion to principal dancer, which was a fun little behind-the-scenes peek into the company.
So, if you’re in the Bay Area this week, highly recommend. Weeknight performances are half off with promo code ALIVE.
Getting there: Public transport or ride services are the way, friends. Driving into the city and finding parking is no fun.
Pro tip: Get there early to walk around, enjoy the decorations and take photos if you want to, and set yourself up with an intermission snack and beverage; it’s great to skip the lines and tuck right in.
Dress code: Anything goes but if you feel like going goth, now’s the time.
