New Principals Step In for American Ballet’s Mixed Bill

New principals, same problems. Credible characterization eluded most of the new dancers American Ballet Theatre cast in the two Americana ballets Wednesday at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

As the tomboy Cowgirl in Agnes de Mille’s “Rodeo,” Shawn Black looked too appealing and lovely to be overlooked by the ranchmen. She worked conscientiously to project the image of the awkward, hurting misfit. She had the steps right, as well as the progression from sadness to happiness.

As was the case with most of her colleagues, however, the results looked more like marking than living the ballet, more like stylization than persuasive emotional experience.

The casting exploited the difference between the short Black and the tall, lanky Charles Askegard (the Head Wrangler the Cowgirl loves), but the relationship never materialized. Askegard lacked sufficient magnetism to justify the Cowgirl’s interest and seemed more obtuse than customary in the role.

Nor did Askegard link up very strongly with Denise Lewis, who made a dreamy, aristocratic, almost visionary Ranch Owner’s Daughter, the object of the Wrangler’s interest. She looked imported from another ballet.

Only John Gardner, as a sunny, generous Champion Roper, seemed fully present in this one.

Dancing their roles in Jerome Robbins’ “Fancy Free” for the first time, Keith Roberts and Julie Kent were cast as the couple that initially links up romantically. It didn’t work. He acted like the boyish all-American kid next door; she, like a refined city art student. Not much chemistry or intensity developed between them.

She danced elegantly, however, which may not be exactly the quality desired here, and he looked lyrical, as required in his solo.

Gil Boggs, the other new principal, made a peppery, if edgy extrovert first sailor.

Jack Everly again conducted the Pacific Symphony. The dancers in Clark Tippet’s “Some Assembly Required” and Eliot Feld’s “Variations on ‘America’ ” were previously reviewed.

* American Ballet Theatre will dance Frederic Franklin’s new staging of “Coppelia” today through Sunday at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. $18-$59. (714) 740-7878.