Mendelssohn’s music for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is full of sweet thunder and other wonderful noises. A cartoon sound effect for jumping isn’t among them. Yet when American Ballet Theater performed Frederick Ashton’s ballet “The Dream” last Saturday, every time Jake Roxander’s Puck took to the air, I could swear I heard one: “boing!”
Roxander is a corps de ballet member who burst into prominence during Ballet’s Theater’s summer season, and his debut as Puck was the most thrilling highlight of the final two programs of the company’s fall season at the David H. Koch Theater.
Roxander’s shot-from-a-bow leaps had arrow-like definition. His turns were cyclonic yet controlled. Recalling Puck’s boast in Shakespeare’s play, he looked like he really could circle the earth in 40 minutes. In truth, his performance was more puppyish than puckish. But what’s thrilling about Roxander is technique yoked to eagerness. The guy goes for it. The role of Puck, which has belonged to Herman Cornejo for 20 years, is now his.
Rox...
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