Kaleidoscope Eyes

The Milwaukee Ballet dances to The Beatles (kinda)

I love classical ballet. I swoon over Tchaikovsky and nerd out watching ballet documentaries on Netflix. But this weekend, the Milwaukee Ballet presents Kaleidoscope Eyes — a not-classical ballet. In fact it gets downright strange sometimes. Best not to question a stageful of dancers hunched over, scurrying, pushing tiny chairs. Better to just appreciate these artists: the choreographers with their vision; the dancers whose strength, grace, and agility are the pinnacle of human form; the masterful lighting effects. 

If you're not sure if the ballet is for you, who knows? You might really love Kaleidoscope Eyes for all its weird moments in the first two acts. Personally, there was too much jarring music for me to remain fully immersed. I understand that there's an artistry behind dystopian melodies and that such art can stir something inside the viewer — but not this viewer, this time. It's just not my cup of tea. I'm sorry — I tried! What can I say? I like tutus and Swan Lake.  

That said, the third act of Kaleidoscope Eyes was no doubt the money-maker. Set to Beatles music, the one-act ballet A Day in the Life got off to an A+ start just by being set to songs like "Mother Nature's Son," "In My Life," and "Strawberry Fields." To me, having music that's easy on the ears is half the battle, as dance is (typically) a celebration of movement set to sound. 

Bottom line: I didn't know modern dance perplexed me as much as it apparently does. While I'll always appreciate the beauty and admire the skill, poise, athleticism, and artistry behind such dances, I hold firm that if the music doesn't move you, how can the dance? Of course it doesn't change my mind's amazement at these choreographers, dancers, and lighting designers with their astounding talent — it just keeps my heart from getting too involved. 

Any dancers out there? I'd be interested to hear how you interpret modern dance when it's set to strange music with darker themes: Do you appreciate it as art? Actively enjoy it? Sound off in the comments.