Staatsballett Berlin

This evening, I went to see the Staatsballett Berlin's performance of OZ - The Wonderful Wizard.


I have been to the ballet many times but always to see classical performances. I enjoy ballet and also figured this would be much better for viewing than something like a play that would be in German. Like nearly everything in Berlin, this was not your standard pink tu-tu. 


I absolutely loved it. The performers both acted and danced and the costumes and set brought the story together. I loved the choreography because although it wasn't the precise and technical pointe that people are used to at the ballet, this did the job of telling the story. There were laugh out loud moments. Both the Lion and the Tin Man broke it down at one point and the costumes of the Bad Witch and her Monkeys reminded me of a Lady Gaga video. 


My favorite was the scarecrow. His moves were similar to Dee's P. Diddy Boat Dance (Check here if you're not familiar, thanks Jessica for finding it since it's restricted in D-land).

There was one scene at the Wizard's place that involved a floor full of balloons. At the end of the performance, the dancers jumped into a pit of the balloons (that had been swept off the stage) and pushed them into the audience. It was like beach balls at a rock concert, the balloons bounced around with grown-ups and kids batting at them.

The only weird thing was that the dancers bowed about 22 times. I started counting too late but I still got 7. And I'm talking full on, close the curtain and then raise it up again. 


The house at the Komische Oper is small and I think even the cheap seats would be good. I had such a great time at the show this evening I will undoubtedly be going back. I realized tonight that in all my years of dancing, I short-cut my spotting which was why I couldn't do more than 4 rotations. It all comes together...


The top two photos are from the Staatsballett website where you can see more, if you fancy.