Recap: Hamburg Ballett's LILIOM @SegerstromArts is a Masterpiece #SCFTA

Disclosure: We received media tickets for reviewing purposes. All opinions are our own. Images are copyrighted and used with permission. 

Carsten Jung and Alina Cojocaru in The Hamburg Ballett's Liliom by John Neumeier. Photo by Holger Badekow

Great creativity and magic was created on stage last night at the Segerstrom Center of the Arts in Costa Mesa. It was Friday and I had a date night with my mom to see Hamburg's Ballett's Liliom. In the past, my mom and I have always loved watching ballet together and so we were very excited for this mother-daughter bonding opportunity.

Beautiful artistry and technique was portrayed by all the dancers last night. There was no need for dialogue, because the story was effortlessly illustrated through the facial expressions and beautiful movement of the dancers. Have you ever seen heaven and earth portrayed onstage at the same time? You will have to see it to believe it!

Carsten Jung and Anna Polikarpova in The Hamburg Ballett's Liliom by John Neumeier. Photo by Holger Badekow

Bravo to the Principals Alina Cojocaru and Carsten Jung and fantastic work from Director and Choreographer John Neumeire! My mom and I had the best time!

My Mom and I at the Ballet! 

PRE-SHOW ACTIVITIES:

Make sure to arrive an hour before the show to catch a Preview Talk by Choreologist Sonja Tinnes. This talk is a behind the scenes look at all the elements that make this ballet a masterpiece, from the music to the choreography to the set design. You can’t miss it!

The American Premiere of The Hamburg Ballett’s Liliom is now at Segerstrom Center for the Arts through February 9, 2014!

Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA
(714) 556-2787
SCFTA.org

Tickets - Start at $30

PERFORMANCE TIMES:

• Friday at 7:30 pm
• Saturday at 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
• Sunday at 2:00 pm

*Note: Free Preview Talks will be conducted one hour prior to each performance. The Friday, February 7 Preview Talk will be sign-language interpreted.

ABOUT THE BALLET:

The plot takes place in the 1930’s in America-the Great Depression- at a carnival fair named Playland. Liliom is a hansome, manly and very cocky carousel operator. He is the object of every girl’s attention and he knows it. He then meets Julie a humble and shy young woman and falls in love with her. Their love story will be greatly impacted by the times they were living in.

This ballet has been directed and choreographed by John Neumeire and original score composed by Academy Award®-winner Michel Legrand. After this ballet premiered in 2011, it received an award at one of the most prestigious ballet competitions the Prix Benois de la Danse. Both the creators of the ballet’s two leading roles, Carsten Jung (The Hamburg Ballet) and Alina Cojocaru (English National Ballet) were honored with awards for their excellent performance.

Alina Cojocaru will be portraying Julie and Carsten Jung Liliom for select performances at the Segerstrom Center.

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A review by Carolina Gonzalez. Carolina is a newbie in LA ready to discover all the hidden jewels this city offers. Carolina loves life, travel, volunteering, ballet, theatre, fashion and desserts - oh yeah! You can follow Carolina on Instagram and Twitter @CaroinLAcity.