DANCE REVIEW : New Principals in ‘Green Table’

Few ballets incorporate the routine of cast changes into their themes as profoundly as does Kurt Jooss’ anti-war parable “The Green Table.” The faces may change; the terrible cycle goes on.

Three new principals joined the Joffrey Ballet line-up of relentless marchers to death, Tuesday at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Carl Corry made a joyfully opportunistic, rapacious Profiteer, hurrahing the troops, cheering the patriots and, given the chance, stripping a ring off a dead soldier’s finger with manic glint in his eye.

Corry bounded, glided and hopped through the carnage, and hovered over the Young Girl (Kim Sagami) with voracious intent.

But even the Profiteer had no immunity from the overall slaughter, and Corry died an astonished, crumpled figure.

Sagami met her fate--loss of her lover, life in a brothel--with uncomprehending innocence, vestiges of honor and helplessly entreating pleas. But she made her final moments frantic and fearful.

Jodie Gates made a fiercely determined, slightly crazed Partisan. Pushed to the wall, with nothing to lose, she found dignity and heroism and, finally, comfort in being carried off by death.

Allan Lewis again conducted.

The program also included Balanchine’s “Cotillon” and Ashton’s “Illuminations,” both previously reviewed.