WHAT IF THE SYMPHONY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA were to invite Benicia Ballet Theatre to join them in a concert of music and dance? Sounds like a splendid idea — and in fact it turned out beautifully for both when the two companies performed “Crossing the Lines” at Solano College Theatre in Fairfield last weekend.

Former BBT students Evan Johnston and Catherine Smith (daughter of former Benicia City Council member Dan Smith), both of whom dance professionally, returned to their roots to open the program with scenes from “Romeo and Juliet,” sharing the stage with the orchestra and current ballet company students. The two dancers performed exquisitely, setting a grand example for the aspiring students while treating the audience to a pristine and passionate performance. Other dancers also performed beautifully in the piece, to a romantic and enchanting overall effect.

All of the costumes in the combined-genre production were excellent, but most memorable Saturday was Juliet’s skirt of a sheer, sparkling fabric that swayed and twirled perfectly with the dancer’s every move. The orchestra played with a level of accuracy and intensity equal to the dancers, resulting in a truly spellbinding performance.

“Romeo and Juliet” was a hard act to follow, but the next selection in the program was also exciting. Composer Durwynne Hsieh (“Shay”), whose modern ballet “Prisms” enjoyed its world premiere at the BBT last year, graciously allowed the ballet and orchestra to perform the third movement of his Clarinet Concerto. Guest soloist James Pytko performed a spirited rendition as dozens of dancers accompanied each section in coordinated costumes. It was just as enjoyable to see the harmonious interplay between the animated soloist and the young dancers as it was to enjoy the clear and joyful sounds emanating from the orchestra behind them. Benicia Ballet Artistic Director Margaret Rose Kenrick and Associate Artistic Director Jacquelyn Zilka choreographed the interpretive dance.

The final selection of the program was also enjoyable, though with a notably less formal feel. Modest Mussorgsky’s lengthy series “Pictures at an Exhibition” was performed almost in its entirety, interpreted by BBT choreographers Barbara Campbell and Erika Moore-Evearitt and guest dancer and choreographer Johnston. All dancers performed in mixed groups, each again with visually harmonious, coordinated costumes.

Mussorgsky’s “Promenade” movements, which alternate in the set with the composer’s musical interpretations of individual artworks, were mostly danced in a kind of robotic or zombie style, which lent a playful air to an otherwise very serious lineup. The first few “songs” in the series looked a lot like water to me, rolling and tumbling like a rocky brook or swirling in place like eddies, then falling (dancers running off the stage) like waterfalls — all carried out with a smooth, graceful fluidity. Around the middle of the song series comes “Chicks,” or “Ballet of Chicks in their Shells,” which certainly did fit the description of little hatchlings Saturday as the smaller dancers curled up and rolled about the stage.

The final few movements in “Pictures” then put all playfulness aside, as the themes turned to death (“Funeral,” or “Catacombs”) and resurrection (freely interpreted from Mussorgsky’s depiction of a bewitched timepiece he called “Hut on Fowl’s Legs”). Brightly colored scarves were replaced with solemn black, accentuated with dim candles and lanterns.

The dancers’ movements may not have been consistently synchronized with each other in the Mussorgsky set, but they were well executed and quite graceful. Overall, it was fun to watch the imaginative dance interpretations for each promenade and picture. It seemed obvious that all of the musicians and dancers were thoroughly enjoying themselves as well.

The combining of the sharp Symphony of Northern California with the accomplished Benicia Ballet Theatre was such a grand idea, and came to such a successful result last weekend, I am excited to learn that they’re going to do it again in the spring. The only downside: like “Crossing the Lines,” this spring’s production of “Swan Lake” will only be on stage for one weekend. Don’t miss it!

If You Go
The next performance of the Benicia Ballet Theatre together with SONC will be “Swan Lake,” at Solano College Theatre April 18-19. Tickets are $15 to $22. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 746-6757 or visit www.beniciaballet.org.

Elizabeth Warnimont is a freelance writer specializing in the performing arts. She is also a substitute teacher for the Benicia Unified School District.