NYC Ballet Premiers New Works that Shimmer & Delight-21st C Choreographers

The premier of new, exceptional choreography by Myels Thatcher, Robert Binet & particularily Justin Peck's NEW BLOOD succed in making your pulse race.   A new infusion of brilliant works will become part of the repetoire for the world class company who dazzled on stage with their versatile skills & elegance.  Peck, a soloist for the NYC Ballet (NYCB) & reisdent choreographer since '14 has come into his own with NEW BLOOD.  Peck worked with Amer composer Steve Reich's minimalist pulsating rhythms with maximum results.  The dancing is electrifying.  The movements flow with dynamic rapidity.  Despite the recessitation being gimmicky, the fluid connection between the dancers was magnificient.  NEW BLOOD pumps sparkling vitality into NYCB.  Marc Happel did the androgynous body stockings that enhanced the intricate & seamless partnering.  Happel also did the costumes for COMMON GROUND, a new ballet by Troy Schumacher.  Here both the costumes & dancing seemed forced and uneven.  The multi-colored ragtag garments with dangling threads were intended to create a kaleidoscope of color & whimsy.  There were light moments of grand jetes that lifted the piece but for the most part, this ballet felt laden & disjointed.  I was delighted by Myles Thatcher's POLARIS. It was an elegant piece with a lovely contemporary spin on a classically beautiful ballet aesthetic.  There was a lush, loftiness to the dancing.  The glittery, ephemeral costumes by Zuhair Murad were magical.  Finally, THE BLUE of DISTANCE by Robert Binet was exciting and innovative.   Here too Happel's costumes added a flourish of fantasy.  The men's homogenous blue ensemble helped shine the spotlight on the ladies.  The evening's dancing was nearly flawless except for 2 major gaffs by a male dancer & slight slip-up by a principal ballerina in THE BLUE of DISTANCE.  Still, this exceptional company is leading the way into the 21st C with phenomenal new works.