Where the Wild Things Are and Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1

Reprising their 2002 production of Maurice Sendak's popular children's story, Where the Wild Things Are, the Colorado Ballet continues to build its audiences through inclusiveness of the younger set. Working again with the original choreographer, Washington Ballet artistic director Septime Webre, the company obviously enjoyed itself connecting with an enthusiastic audience through the playful and, at times, poignant bedtime tale.

Koichi Kubo as Max meets his match in the Wild Things Photo: Terry Shapiro

Not to slight his more serious work, but Koichi Kubo was born to play the tempestuous Max, an intensly animated boy who throws a tantrum and is sent to his room without his supper. There, after some sulking, he falls into a magical dream world of enchanted forests, a sea voyage in a custom-sized sailboat, and a tropic island inhabited by 10-foot tall monsters.

Kubo's exuberance, athleticism, and dramatic skills engage young and old alike in Max's archetypal childhood antics and fantasies. The overall comedic tone of the piece is achieved through a fortuitous combination of casting, choreography, music, and storyline. Gregory Gonzales has made a second career of domineering mother figures, and here his breakneck cavorting with the vacuum cleaner amplifies the general mayhem that eventually leads to Max's banishment.

The relatives drive Max to distraction Photo: Terry Shapiro

Followed by a hilarious send-up of the relatives-from-hell, the production quickly achieves lift-off. After a lovely interlude in which we are rhapsodized by Maria Mosina and Igor Vassine as the transcendental sea creatures, we are swiftly and emphatically delivered to Sendak's trademark world of over-sized monsters that move with impressive coordination and rhythm.

Igor Vassine and Maria Mosina send us over the moon Photo: Terry Shapiro

Where the Wild Things Are is a surefire crowd pleaser and effective hook by which to introduce children to the more sophisticated nuances of the ballet. It was preceded by an exquisite interpretation of the Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1, a 25-minute neo-classical romance featuring four couples and an eight-pair ensemble.

Janelle Cook and John Henry Reid light a fire Photo: Terry Shapiro

Particularly impressive were the spirited chemistry of Janelle Cooke and John Henry Reid, the heart-rendering fluidity of Maria Mosina and Igor Vassine, and the uptempo magic of Sharon Wehner and Koichi Kubo, reflective of the multi-colored and passionate violin solos that fill this luxuriant composition.

The Colorado Ballet's production of Where the Wild Things Are and the Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 run through March 10th at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. 303-837-8888 or www.coloradoballet.com.