Fiery ballet 'Carmen' dazzles crowd

When Alexander Collen as Don Jose performs the dance of the doomed, having lost everything because of his passion for Carmen, his unvarnished anguish shines through his polished leaps and turns, as he shows his ability as an actor as well as a dancer.

This pivotal moment in the world premiere of Charleston Ballet Theatre's resident choreographer Jill Eathorne Bahr's version of "Carmen" showed Bahr's willingness to use physicality in an unabashed way, as Collen flings himself to the floor, writhing in his self-blame.

Dancing as the explosive, amoral Carmen, Miki Kawamura captures the essence of the character, as she is handed from man to man, seemingly relishing the numerous over-the-head lifts and even being roughed up a bit, especially by the captain of the local military unit.

As the captain, Stephen Gabriel demonstrated he not only turns out flawless fouettes but can revel in the dark side, as he kicks his underling soldiers.

Jonathan Tabbert as the preening, young matador spins onto the stage and falls into the clutches of Carmen.

And the two are good matches, as they show in their pas de deux in front of a mirror.

As Jose's fiancee, Jennifer Balcerzak Muller was effective as the opposite of Carmen, but just as feisty, as she fought to keep the man she loved.

The music of Bizet and Sarasate accompanied the dancers, who presented a dazzling tableau Friday in the nearly filled CBT studio-theater.

A fiery season-opener, "Carmen" will be repeated at 7:30 tonight and at 3 p.m. Sunday at 477 King St.