US Newspaper Reviews
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La Fille Mal Gardee with Ballet Tech Ohio
In Cincinnati, Ohio May 2001
CityBeat (Cincinnati, Ohio) Review

Page 1 - Swan Lake 1997 Cincinnati Ballet	Page 2 - Swan Lake 1997 Cinncinnati Ballet	Page 3 - Giselle Moscow Festival Ballet in New York, NY	Page 4 - Giselle Moscow Festival Ballet in Charleston, SC	Page 5 - Giselle Moscow Festival Ballet in Los Angeles, CA
Page 6 - Giselle Moscow Festival Ballet in Naples, FL	Page 7 - Giselle Moscow Festival Ballet in Phoenix, AZ	Page 8 - La Fille Mal Gardee Ballet Tech Ohio	Page 9 - La Fille Mal Gardee Ballet Tech Ohio

By Kathy Valin
CityBeat (Cincinnati)
May 31, 2001

The mix of pre-professional and professional dancers in the comic ballet La Fille Mal Gardee, presented by the ballettech ohio performing arts association, is part of director Claudia Rudolf Barrett's intention.

Staged by Cincinnati Ballet's Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev - he portrays a meddling mother, a lead role traditionally played by a man, much like the stepsisters in Cinderella -- the classic ballet tells the story of Lise, who loves Colas. But Martzilene (Kremnev) has other plans for her daughter: namely, marriage to a wealthy landowner, a curious fellow mostly interested in umbrellas and butterflies.

According to Barrett, La Fille is the oldest ballet in the active repertory, the sole surviving work of Jean Dauberval (1742-1806). This production is modeled after the Moscow Bolshoi Ballet School's Gorsky-Radunsky version. While today's revivals might not duplicate the original in technique (greatly expanded to include pointe work) or in costumes and conventions (today's ballerinas move more freely in short tutus), it's fascinating to see the authentic essence of the original that's been passed from dancer to dancer through generations of performing.

In addition, Barrett says La Fille was notable, even in its own time for "bringing ballet down to earth." It did so by introducing character dancing and rustic country folk into that ethereal would. Kremnev and Reznik, who have performed the Moscow Festival version, bring hands-on experience that allows them to adapt the challenging choreography to pre-professionals. Kremnev especially insists on the importance of every cast member to a ballet's success.