Inland Pacific: ‘Masters’ of a Classical Universe

One of the most striking aspects of Victoria Koenig’s style as artistic director of Inland Pacific Ballet lies in her talent for bringing out the best in every dancer. She cares that her audience is fed enlivened, varied and balanced programs. But her reliable taste is most keenly set on making her dancers look natural in their parts.

Her priorities usually mean the audience comes out the winner. No exception was made when Inland Pacific presented “20th Century Masters” on Saturday at Bridges Auditorium in Claremont.

The 25 members justified themselves as a classical ballet troupe of mature distinction in George Balanchine’s masterpiece “Serenade” (1934)--made wonderful by Allynne Stoller and Daniel Kirk. With David Lichine’s cheerful “Graduation Ball” (1938) and Laurence Blake’s neoclassical “Star Spangled Suite” (1993), they further demonstrated the will to move beyond technique. Outside the ballet realm, former Angeleno Eric Skinner’s “One” (1997) and the world premiere of his commissioned work, “x-axis” more than served.

Performed by Skinner and Kirk on a trapeze, “x-axis” sent imaginations into an astral territory where bodies float. The grace of these bare-chested men in bright red tights, suspending themselves sometimes in the shape of perfect Ls, conveyed delicious decadence; yet everything was pure. The music from Brian Eno/Jah Wobble’s “Spinner’ suited their physical abstractions.

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Inland Pacific Ballet, Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, 1 p.m., Bridges Auditorium, E. 4th St., Claremont. $14-$30. (909) 607-1139.