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Dance

Alexander Ekman’s Cacti: Deconstructing The Affectations Of Dance

Houston Ballet premières Ekman’s work on its Spring Mixed Rep Program.

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Cacti Choreographer: Alexander Ekman Dancer(s): Artists of Houston Ballet
Photo: Amitava Sarkar courtesy of Houston Ballet
Cacti. Choreographer: Alexander Ekman; Dancer(s): Artists of Houston Ballet

Houston Ballet's annual Spring Mixed Repertory Program is on stage at the Wortham Center through June 5th. On the program are George Balanchine's Serenade, danced to Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings; Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Gloria, danced to Francis Poulenc's Gloria (sung by the Houston Chamber Choir and soprano soloist Lauren Snouffer); and, receiving its Houston Ballet première, Alexander Ekman's Cacti featuring the company orchestra in the pit and Houston's Apollo Chamber Players on stage with the 16 dancers.

Cacti has been staged for Houston Ballet by dancer, choreographer and teacher Spenser Theberge who has been associated with this Ekman work since its world première by the Netherlands Dance Theater II in 2010.

Spenser Theberge and Apollo Chamber Players artistic director Matthew Detrick talk with Houston Public Media's St.John Flynn about Cacti, a hilarious work that pokes fun at the excesses of the art form.