Flying high

Opinion

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This article was published 28/04/2016 (2917 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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One might think the world’s most famous fairy, Tinker Bell, had sprinkled a little of her magic pixie dust over Royal Winnipeg Ballet principal dancer Jo-Ann Sundermeier.

The beloved ballerina, 32, returned to the RWB this fall after dancing with San Francisco’s Smuin Ballet for the past two years, and is getting ready to reprise her sprightly role as “Tink” in the company’s upcoming production of Peter Pan.

The high-flying story ballet choreographed by Jorden Morris opens Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and runs through Sunday at the Centennial Concert Hall.

“Honestly, when I left, I didn’t have any intention of coming back. I thought my life was going to take me somewhere else,” says Sundermeier, who left the city to flex her artistic muscles with the West Coast troupe in 2013. “But I always try to live one day at a time, because you never know what is going to happen.”

In the elfin dancer’s case, “life” happened. The once-married Sundermeier found true love, describing her real-life partner of nearly two years, dancer Josh Reynolds, as her “soul mate.” The Atlanta, Ga.-born artist joined her at the RWB this fall as second soloist, and will be appearing in the dual roles as the deliciously nefarious Captain Hook and benevolent family patriarch Mr. Darling next week. (He alternates in the roles with principal dancer Liang Xing; Sundermeier alternates with apprentice Saeka Shirai.)

“Jo-Ann is an amazing woman,” says the hunky dancer, 29, who performed with the RWB’s sister company, Atlanta Ballet, as well as Milwaukee Ballet and Smuin Ballet. “She is a consummate professional but she’s also a lot of fun. We were exactly what the other person was missing in their life, and have helped each other become who we really are, instead of pretending to be someone else.”

The couple, whose natural chemistry is palpable, first danced together during a promotional video for the Smuin Company. Not long after, they performed — no-brainer alert! — as Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet in the company’s May 2015 production of the romantic ballet, choreographed by founder Michael Smuin. However, Sundermeier points out that Reynolds is a highly gifted artist in his own right, not merely riding on anyone’s pink tulle tutu.

“He’s such an exceptional artist and really knows how to move,” she says enthusiastically of Reynolds’ artistry (the dancer was also seen during this season’s Giselle, and portrayed the lead roles of Bob in Val Caniparoli’s A Cinderella Story, and the dashing Prince inNutcracker. “He’s such a tall guy, but is quick and sharp and just so versatile.”

As Captain Hook, Reynolds faces the added challenge of wielding a hefty hook weighing more than two kilograms lashed onto his left hand, playing havoc with a dancer’s all-important centre of gravity. As a southpaw, he’s had to learn how to spar with his non-dominant hand during Act II’s clashing sword fight with Peter and the pirates.

“It’s not easy, but it’s really fun,” he says good-naturedly. “The hook is very heavy and awkward but makes some things easier, like turns. However, if you go the other way, it can throw you off to the side. It’s often very entertaining.”

Born in Pompano Beach, Fla., Sundermeier recalls being swept off her feet after seeing the Miami City Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker at age six, knowing immediately that she wanted to follow in their footsteps. She joined the RWB School’s Professional Division at 14, became an apprentice with the company in 2003, and realized her dream of becoming a principal dancer in 2012, appointed by RWB artistic director André Lewis.

“Jo-Ann has grown incredibly since I first saw her in the school, both technically and artistically, and has a real connection with her audience,” Lewis says. “I know she is going to take her role as Tinker Bell to the next level.”

It’s been eight long years since Sundermeier first portrayed Victorian novelist J. M. Barrie’s feisty fairy, who helps propel the narrative as mischievous sidekick of quintessential man-child Peter. She says re-learning Morris’s intricate, twitchy choreography for the entire, 137-minute ballet in a mere three days came as easily as waving a magic wand, the movement deeply engrained into her muscles and bones.

“Jo-Ann brings a lot to the character,” Morris, now artistic director of Edmonton’s Citie Ballet, says via email. “She has the spunk and a natural comedic ability, but also a huge heart and cares for her friends deeply. She has the technique to achieve the choreography effortlessly.”

RWB ballet master and retired principal dancer Tara Birtwhistle, who also performed as Tink in 2006, is intimately acquainted with the roles unique movement vocabulary of quick bursts and explosive jumps, as well as foot-stomping, fist-shaking temper tantrums.

“Jo-Ann has a spontaneous quality that has grown over time, making it very special to watch from the front of the room,” Birtwhistle says of coaching the younger dancer.

 

Now at the top of her game, Sundermeier is looking forward to performing more of the classical roles that she adores, as well as contemporary ballets with the RWB, and in Peter Quanz’s Q Dance, of which she is a founding member.

She adds that she and Reynolds, who live close to the RWB’s downtown studios, have discussed marriage, including eventually having “two or three” kids of their own someday.

“I’m thrilled to be back, and also very happy where I am right now in my life,” the enchanted dancer living a real-life fairy tale says with a twinkle in her eye. “And I’m even happier about what’s still to come.”

Peter Pan will be performed May 4-8 at the Centennial Concert Hall. For tickets or further information, see www.rwb.org.