MUSIC & DANCE REVIEWS : Amanda McKerrow in ABT ‘Giselle’

The final American Ballet Theatre “Giselle” Sunday evening offered more than a riveting performance of the title role by Amanda McKerrow.

She and the previously reviewed Guillaume Graffin as Albrecht also hinted at what some day might become one of those memorable dance partnerships. They were that sympathetic to each other.

Closing the six-day ABT run at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, McKerrow danced Giselle with deep seriousness, detailed characterization and superb technique.

She made something dramatically credible and fitting happen at every opportunity.

This included something as simple as balking at being taken back to her house because the fun would end. And something as complex as starting the drift into madness with subtle, contained gestures when Bathilde approached Albrecht and unwittingly revealed his identity.

From there, her mad scene developed inexorably and poignantly.

Technically, she was fluid in line, weightless in lifts and masterly in modulating phrases. But who thought about technique witnessing her realization that she has saved Albrecht from death?

The rest of the cast had been reviewed in earlier weekend performances, except for Elizabeth Ferrell who created a sensitive and meticulously crafted characterization of Berthe. Emil De Cou conducted both performances Sunday.