DATELINE NEW YORK: Virsky dancers dazzle audiences (07/26/98)

DATELINE NEW YORK: Virsky dancers dazzle audiences

by Helen Smindak

They came, they danced, they conquered - dazzling thousands upon thousands of viewers in 38 North American cities with their exuberant artistry, glorious costumes and breathtaking choreography.

From the kickoff performance of the Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company's 1998 tour in Providence, R.I., the superlatives kept surging in to New York from cities along the group's route - Ottawa, Hamilton, Toronto, Chicago, Cleveland and Schenectady, N.Y., as well as other stops on the itinerary. The reviews were rhapsodic, praising the gravity-defying leaps and spins performed by the men, the delicate and graceful movements of the women, the visual splendor of elaborately embroidered and beribboned costumes from many regions of Ukraine.

There was more than one suggestion that the Virsky company, as folk dance-cum-spectacle, could be compared to such mega-dance shows as "Riverdance," "Tango Argentino" and "Tap Dogs."

By the time the troupe arrived in New York toward the end of its tour, New Yorkers' appetites had been sharpened by advance stories in the local press and the dancers' appearances on national TV programs.

Terry Tucco of The New York Times pointed out that "this time all the dances are Ukrainian," now that the company has gained its artistic independence from Russia.

On his NBC show in May, Conan O'Brien welcomed the company and attempted some Hopak steps under the guidance of dancer Olena Rybalko. The stars of ABC's nationally-syndicated morning show "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" hosted a performance by several Virsky dancers, with Regis Philbin in an embroidered shirt and "sharavary" trying out some "prysidky." In mid-June the Classic Arts Show carried by the New York's Channel 25 included the Vrisky work "Ukrainian Springtime," highlighting courtship and such folk traditions as fortune-telling with wreaths.

Finally, Virsky arrived in New York with 70 dancers and 16 musicians, and the City Center in midtown Manhattan was engulfed on three nights by Ukrainians and folk-dance enthusiasts of all ages. Expectations ran high, but not one went away disappointed.

From the welcoming dance "Ukraine, My Ukraine," featuring myriad regional costumes and the traditional presentation of bread and salt, to the exhilarating "Hopak" finale, the program was sheer delight and spine-tingling excitement. Cheering audiences expressed appreciation with bravos, applause, whistling and standing ovations.

Most spectacular and brilliant, for most viewers, were two Virsky signature pieces - "Zaporozhtsi," a precision drill performed to martial drum beats by Kozaks clad in red and gold and brandishing long spears, and "Embroiderers," an awesome work executed by a stagefull of women weaving multi-colored ropes in tricky patterns that evolved magically into an actual piece of traditional needlework.

"Povzunets" displayed the Kozak joy of life and love of freedom as 10 men of the company showed off their artistic agility and technical prowess, performing the entire work in a squatting position. "The Lads from Kyiv," pitting one short and one tall group of men against each other, brought out camaraderie and the Ukrainian affinity for humor and fun.

The lithe, graceful movements of the female dancers were highlighted in the ethereal dance "Verbychenka." Dressed in white and pale green costumes and carrying willow branches - symbols of peace and harmony - 20 women swayed lyrically to gentle music.

"The Carpathians," a work that opened with three trembita players on a mist-covered stage, starred dozens of colorfully costumed dancers recreating the lively folk-dance steps and mannerisms of the Carpathian Mountain people who inhabit the Hutsulschyna, Bukovyna and Zakarpattia regions. Like the welcoming number at the show's opening, "The Carpathians" was choreographed by company director Myroslav Vantukh.

Wistful tales of love and courtship, interspersed between the group numbers, were sketched by some of the troupe's soloists in "Podolianochka" and "Under the Cherry Tree." The second dance, featuring three puppet-like figures, was an original Virsky piece with a highly humorous twist.

Throughout the show, the creative use of props and lighting heightened the impact of the dancing and the music of the company's orchestra, conducted by Vitaliy Redko.

So entrancing was the Virsky performance that some viewers (I among them) took in a second show later in the week, to enjoy the Virsky experience one more time.

Let's hope that this unique and popular company won't let too many years go by before making a return engagement. How about the Metropolitan Opera House, as happened for two weeks in 1972? Better yet, why not follow the example of "Riverdance" and head straight for the stage of the world-renowned Radio City Music Hall?

A warm welcome

On its 60th anniversary celebratory tour of North America, the Virsky dance company was welcomed by New York's Ukrainian community at a buffet supper-reception at the Ukrainian National Home. This was the company's fourth North American tour and its first as the cultural representative of an independent Ukraine.

Responding to hearty greetings from Myroslav Shmigel, president of the United Ukrainian Organizations of New York, Virsky's artistic director, Mr. Vantukh said: "In 60 years, the Virsky company has visited more than 50 countries, some of them on multiple occasions, and we are proud that our ensemble has touched the heart of everyone in our audiences."

Mr. Vantukh, who took over the reins of the company in 1975 following the death of its gifted founder, Pavlo Virsky, said this tour was undertaken because "We felt that we should bring you our new Ukraine, our independent Ukraine. We're immensely proud to show you our culture, and bring honor to our nation."

Donald G. Baker, the Toronto publisher who financed Virsky's North American tour, told the gathering that he was truly excited to be associated with "the most dynamic ambassadors any nation could ask for." The president of Family Communications Inc. revealed that he is "half-Ukrainian by osmosis" - his wife, Myroslava Oleksiuk Baker, is Ukrainian, and the couple's two children, Yvan and Meelena, speak Ukrainian fluently.

Mr. Baker and his brother-in-law, Cleveland show business promoter Leonid Oleksiuk, booked major theaters in Canada and the U.S. from April 24 through July 1 and arranged for cross-country travel by chartered buses. Ukraine's Ministry of Culture contributed Air Ukraine flights to and from North America - one plane for the company's 70 dancers, 16 musicians and five support staff, another for its 4.5 tons of equipment and costumes.

Mr. Oleksiuk told "Dateline" that a Virsky home video, "The Spirit of Ukraine," produced by Mrs. Baker and sold at theaters during intermission, helped the tour producers pay for publicity. But, he added, "We'd like to cut a deal for video distribution and get this on PBS, to acquaint the public with the Virsky ensemble so that it will be a continuing group - one that will overtake the success of 'Riverdance.' "

The Ukrainian National Home's contemporary interior was brightened for the Virsky welcome by decorative ethnic effects arranged by New York folk-dance teacher Daria Genza. Assisted by Natalka Duma, Mrs. Genza provided centerpieces of field flowers and an aesthetic wall display of embroidered ritual cloths.

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