American Ballet Theater dancer Catherine Hurlin dances in the second act titled, “Becomings,” based on the Virginia Woolf novel “Orlando: A Biography” during the dress rehearsal for the American Ballet Theater’s North American debut of the full-length ballet “Woolf Works,” at the Segerstrom Center For the Arts in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
American Ballet Theatre’s North American debut of “Woolf Works” at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts is the annual springtime unveiling in Costa Mesa of a new dance added to the company’s repertoire.
The full-length, three-act story ballet was created in 2015 by veteran choreographer Wayne McGregor for England’s Royal Ballet. “Woolf Works” is based on text from three novels by the lionized 20th century British novelist Virginia Woolf.
Dancers from the American Ballet Theater perform in the third act titled, “Tuesday,” based on the Virginia Woolf novel “The Waves,” during the dress rehearsal for the American Ballet Theater’s North American debut of the full-length ballet “Woolf Works,” at the Segerstrom Center For the Arts in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
American Ballet Theater dancers Jake Roxander and Catherine Hurlin and perform in the second act titled, Becomings,” based on the Virginia Woolf novel “Orlando: A Biography” during the dress rehearsal for the American Ballet Theater’s North American debut of the full-length ballet “Woolf Works,” at the Segerstrom Center For the Arts in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dancers from the American Ballet Theater perform in the second act titled, Becomings,” based on the Virginia Woolf novel “Orlando: A Biography” during the dress rehearsal for the American Ballet Theater’s North American debut of the full-length ballet “Woolf Works,” at the Segerstrom Center For the Arts in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
American Ballet Theater dancer Christine Shevchenko, third from left, dances with student dancers from Segerstrom Center For the Arts’ ABT William J. Gillespie School during the third act titled, “Tuesday,” based on the Virginia Woolf novel “The Waves,” during the dress rehearsal for the American Ballet Theater’s North American debut of the full-length ballet “Woolf Works,” at the Segerstrom Center For the Arts in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
American Ballet Theater dancer Devon Teuscher performs in the first act titled, “I now, I then,” based on Virginia Woolf novel, “Mrs Dalloway” during the dress rehearsal for the American Ballet Theater’s North American debut of the full-length ballet “Woolf Works,” at the Segerstrom Center For the Arts in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
American Ballet Theater dancers James Whiteside and Léa Fleytoux perform in the first act titled, “I now, I then,” based on Virginia Woolf novel, “Mrs Dalloway” during the dress rehearsal for the American Ballet Theater’s North American debut of the full-length ballet “Woolf Works,” at the Segerstrom Center For the Arts in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Dancers from the American Ballet Theater perform in the second act titled, Becomings,” based on the Virginia Woolf novel “Orlando: A Biography” during the dress rehearsal for the American Ballet Theater’s North American debut of the full-length ballet “Woolf Works,” at the Segerstrom Center For the Arts in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
American Ballet Theater dancers James Whiteside and Cassandra Trenary perform in the first act titled, “I now, I then,” based on Virginia Woolf novel, “Mrs Dalloway” during the dress rehearsal for the American Ballet Theater’s North American debut of the full-length ballet “Woolf Works,” at the Segerstrom Center For the Arts in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
American Ballet Theater dancer Catherine Hurlin dances in the second act titled, “Becomings,” based on the Virginia Woolf novel “Orlando: A Biography” during the dress rehearsal for the American Ballet Theater’s North American debut of the full-length ballet “Woolf Works,” at the Segerstrom Center For the Arts in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
American Ballet Theater dancers Catherine Hurlin and Daniel Camargo perform in the second act titled, Becomings,” based on the Virginia Woolf novel “Orlando: A Biography” during the dress rehearsal for the American Ballet Theater’s North American debut of the full-length ballet “Woolf Works,” at the Segerstrom Center For the Arts in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 10, 2024. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
While not a linear story, the work is described as having “dreamlike imagery” with distinct choreography and visual designs for each part.
This Woolf in dance skins – actually, ABT’s production features diaphanous costuming – is set to an original score by composer Max Richter. The music is being played live by the Pacific Symphony.
“Woolf Works” was generally liked by dance critics in 2015 when the Royal Ballet production debuted in London. It will be staged in Costa Mesa through Sunday.
The New York Times felt “McGregor has thought big, and he has created a work that is entertaining, absorbing, not always easy, and occasionally contentious.” A review in the Guardian noted, “the ballet is more than equal to its ambitions… a compelling, moving experience.”
American Ballet Theatre, “Woolf Works”
When: Through Sunday, April 14. 7:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday; 2 p.m., Saturday; 1 p.m., Sunday.
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
