NY Export: Opus Jazz

NY Export: Opus Jazz is a unique blend of dance, drama, and music that delves into the soul of modern-day New York. It was originally broadcast on PBS’ Great Performances/Dance in America in 2010.

This cinematic interpretation of Jerome Robbins’ 1958 “ballet in sneakers” features a powerful ensemble of young dancers from the New York City Ballet. The movie was filmed at various locations around New York City and breaks new ground by blending dance with cinematic storytelling.

The cast boasts of some amazingly gifted talent from the world of ballet such as Tiler Peck, Robbie Fairchild, and Brittany Pollack. Tiler Peck, a celebrated principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, leads the ensemble with her electrifying energy and sublime agility. Robbie Fairchild, another notable principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, dazzles alongside Peck with his incredible athletic grace. Fairchild and Peck's on-screen chemistry and synchronization only serve to elevate this dazzling spectacle. The talented Brittany Pollack, also from the New York City Ballet, lends her exceptional skill and vitality to the film.

The film chorographs five unrelated vignettes sewn together by the threads of youth, rebellion, and the pulsating rhythm of New York's ever-changing landscape, reflecting the urban struggle and capturing the disaffected youth culture of 1950s America. As a testament to its cultural importance and historic relevance, the film was selected for the permanent film collection of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in 2014.

The movie is directed by Jody Lee Lipes and Henry Joost, and produced by Ellen Bar and Sean Suozzi. The director duo masterfully sets Robbins' choreography against New York's urban landscape, successfully transposing the groundbreaking ballet onto film with all its expressive strength intact. Ellen Bar and Sean Suozzi – both corps de ballet dancers with the New York City Ballet — were instrumental not only in producing but also in recreating Robbins’ work for the screen, infusing it with a fresh, contemporary perspective.

The musical score, composed by Robert Prince, seamlessly complements Jerome Robbins' innovative choreography. The original, jazz-infused score serves as the perfect rhythmic anchor to the dancers' dynamic movements, effectively mirroring New York's pulsating energy. In a masterful twist, the score was rerecorded by an ensemble of top-flight New York jazz musicians specifically for this film under the accomplished direction of conductor Rob Berman.

NY Export: Opus Jazz truly comes alive through its breathtaking depiction of dance as a language of youthful expression. The film notably served as a platform to showcase the incredible talent within the New York City Ballet and pays homage to the enduring spirit of Robbins' work.

While the original "Opus Jazz" was met with both critical and popular acclaim on stage in 1958, the 2010 adaptation moved the ballet from the stage to the big screen with incredible prowess. Locations around New York City, including an abandoned High Line pre-renovation, McCarren Pool, Coney Island, and Red Hook, Brooklyn, serve as a backdrop highlighting the city's juxtaposition of elegance and grit.

The movie is punctuated by performances of raw energy and vitality, which serve to highlight the enduring relevance of Robbins' original choreography. The innovative juxtaposition of dance and cinematic storytelling breathes new life into the ballet, translating it onto film without diluting its original essence.

NY Export: Opus Jazz is a visually stunning spectacle with intense artistic magnetism. It is an essential watch for those who appreciate contemporary dance, jazz music, New York's cultural scene, or simply the artistry that emerges from the fusion of these elements. The film remains an enduring testament to the passion and talent that the New York City Ballet harbors within its ranks and offers a poignant commentary on the spirit of urban youth. It not only captures our attention but dances its way straight into our hearts.