The weather outside might be turning frightful, but inside Wonderbound‘s theater, the stage is heating up with the fiery world premiere of Icy Haught.
Garrett Ammon and Sarah Tallman choreographed the contemporary ballet company’s ongoing production, which turns holiday-show orthodoxy on its head . A testament to Wonderbound’s decade-long reign as a dance-world titan, the end result is nothing short of spectacular.
The world premiere of this innovative production stands apart from the year’s previous Wonderbound offerings, like The Sandman and Wicked Bayou, by eschewing a single narrative in favor of a series of dynamic seasonal vignettes. Each story within Icy Haught’s narrative portrays winter as a metaphor for our brief and fragile time on earth.
Twelve of Wonderbound’s talented dancers perform Ammon and Tallman’s electrifying choreography on a mostly bare stage — except for purposeful props designed by Eleanor Moriarty, bringing each seasonal story to life. The set’s simplicity, accentuated by Karalyn Star Pytel‘s vibrant lighting design, amplifies the emotional resonance of each piece of music, ranging from the sultry tones of “Santa Baby” to the haunting strains of “Skinny Love.”
Each Icy Haught number is a world unto itself, like Richard Romero‘s heartwarming performance as a vendor with his cart in “Ice Cream Man,” and a stirring, queer reinterpretation of “Jolene,” featuring Logan Velasquez, Cameron Cofrancesco and Nathan Mariano. From the erotically charged to the intimately moving, the range showcases each dancer’s exceptional ability to translate complex emotions and narratives through movement.
The first act, dominated by a cool palette of blues and whites, sets a somewhat subdued tone, mimicking the icy touch of winter. However, the second act bursts forth in Wonderbound’s signature red and white, mirroring the thematic shift from frozen to fiery. This expertly executed transition, which features a sensual costume change conceived by Wonderbound’s president and costume designer Dawn Fay, enhances the visual feast.
Watching it all unfold, it’s hard to ignore the impact of Wonderbound’s recently paid-off space, which appears to have imbued the troupe with renewed vigor. Following the completion of the company’s $8.1 million capital campaign in September, Wonderbound now officially owns its building just off Dahlia Street in Denver. With daily practice and performances in their own choreography-ready facility, this new sense of ownership seems to radiate from the undeniable confidence in the dancers’ performances.
The show’s structure — which begins slowly before getting increasingly intense — evokes the sensation of venturing outside in the dead of winter and then coming inside to warm up next to the fire. It’s a visual and emotional exploration of our collective need for warmth, connection and hope.
In its departure from traditional narratives, Icy Haught succeeds spectacularly, offering a refreshing and exhilarating experience. Far from being another Nutcracker, this production is a thrilling wintertime show that should not be missed.
ON STAGE: Icy Haught. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. through Dec. 17, Wonderbound, 3824 Dahlia St, Denver. $65
