Cultures come together with ‘East Meets West’ production

Nevada Ballet Theatre presented "East Meets West" with the Seoul Ballet Theatre with performances Friday and Saturday at the Artemus Ham Concert Hall, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway.

The production is the first collaboration to share the stage with the Nevada Ballet Theatre. The collaboration began years ago with the Nevada Ballet Theatre's former artistic director Bruce Steivel's working relationship with James Jeon, Seoul Ballet Theatre choreographer and artistic director. Steivel served as artistic director of the Universal Ballet of Korea, as well as the Bern Stadt Theatre in Switzerland and the Hong Kong Ballet before arriving in Las Vegas 10 years ago.

Eight members of Nevada Ballet Theatre returned last week from South Korea, where they performed "East Meets West" with the Seoul Ballet at the National Theatre of Korea on March 14-15. The company quickly began rehearsals for the Las Vegas performance.

Before Friday's performance, a pre-theatre dinner for Nevada Ballet Theatre patrons was at Morton's The Steakhouse. Among those attending were Madeline and Don Andress, Carolyn Sparks, Toni and Victor Chaltiel, Deb Hood, Lynn and Frank Cremen, Dr. Leon and Faye Steinberg, state Assemblyman Harry Mortenson, D-Las Vegas, and Helen Mortenson, Wendy and Richard Plaster, John Delibos, and Colette Saltz.

More patrons seen arriving at Ham Hall were doctors Parvin and Ted Jacobs, Keri Brewer, Jennifer and Anthony Zuiker, and state Sen. Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas.

The ballet began with a reflection on a typical ballet class, beginning with warm-ups and exercises before bursting into a high-energy performance. Then, it was the Korean dancers turn to show their style and culture with "Remembering of You," a tribute to the late dancer and teacher, Roy Tobias, a New York City Ballet principal dancer under George Balanchine. Tobias was artistic director of the Seoul Ballet Theatre of Korea from 1995-2002.

"Remembering of You" was choreographed by Jeon and featured eight dancers from the Seoul Ballet Theatre performing to the music of Brahms and Kreisler.

Following the intermission came the collaborative finale titled "Inner Moves," choreographed by Jeon with contemporary music by composer Moon Seok Chang.

"Inner Moves" featured dancers from both Nevada Ballet Theatre and Seoul Ballet Theatre of Korea and brought together very different cultures in dance.

Present were InHee Kim, Seoul Ballet Theatre general director; Jeon; and YoungHee Lim, Seoul Ballet Theatre chairwoman.

Seen among the audience members were Hilary Crowley and Chris Hansel, Carole Terry, Lee Medick and Gregory Sonn, Abby and Richard Geyer, Sandra and James Frank, Alvida Lane, Sue Rivers, Rosemary Ashton, Lucille Matthews, Alice King, Joan Hendricks and Nevada Ballet Theatre Executive Director Beth Barbre.

"East Meets West" was sponsored by the Andress Family Foundation. Season sponsors include the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Luxury Las Vegas, Nevada Arts Council, KVBC-TV, Channel 3, and KNPR-FM, 88.9.

Many happy returns: A group of friends and family celebrated the 80th birthday of Isabel Pfeifer. All gathered at her home for the birthday celebration on March 15.

Guests partook of cocktails and canapes before enjoying a formal dinner prepared by caterer John Clark. Music was provided by mariarchi troubadours.

Originally from Cuba, Pfeifer is a longtime resident of Las Vegas and serves on many community boards.