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Feb. 17--For more than a century, "Swan Lake" has endured as the "Hamlet" of classical ballets, the big one for ballerinas, balletomanes and the box office.
But most dance professionals stick to the tried-and-true approach, tinkering a bit only around the edges. Mikhail Baryshnikov, in his days with American Ballet Theatre, tossed in a few swans in black amid the all-white corps.
Then, 10 years ago, enterprising British choreographer Matthew Bourne amazed the dance world with a bold, provocative rethink. His "Swan Lake" replaced the female swans in white tutus with topless, brawny men in feathery trousers. Still a love story about a prince who falls for a swan, leading to tragedy, Bourne's "Swan Lake" is set in the 20th Century, while his regals recall the modern British royal family.
The production became a West End hit, played both Broadway and Los Angeles, and made Bourne an international arts celebrity. It was instantly seen as the "gay" "Swan Lake" by some. Others were not so sure, including critic Clement Crisp, who praised the slant as "sexless." In any event, the production never played Chicago.
But, as part of a 10th-anniversary tour, Bourne's "Swan Lake" -- surely a lot tamer now in our "Brokeback Mountain" landscape -- arrives Tuesday, showing through Feb. 26 at the Cadillac Palace Theatre.
Even after a decade, it will be fun to see what all the fuss was about.
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