On July 20, I had the great pleasure to see the last performance of the Two-time Tony Award® winner Christopher Wheeldon's Like Water for Chocolate at the Met Opera for the conclusion of ABT's 2024 Summer season.
Adapted from Laura Esquivel’s best-selling novel and award-winning movie of the same name, Tita, bound by family duty and tradition, finds herself entangled in forbidden love with her neighbor Pedro. As her emotions overflow into her cooking, those around her are swept up in a whirlwind of dramatic transformations.
Wheeldon — the Tony Award winner for best choreography for MJ: The Musical — collaborated with composer Joby Talbot on this inspiring new work, with costume design by Bob Crowley, winner of multiple Tony and Laurence Olivier awards throughout his nearly four-decade career.
This is the 5th collaboration for Talbot (music) and Wheeldon (choreography).
Book Summary of Like Water for Chocolate
is a magical realism novel that intertwines the themes of love, family, and food.
Set in Mexico during the early 20th century, the story follows Tita de la Garza, a young woman who is forbidden to marry her true love, Pedro, due to her family’s tradition that the youngest daughter must remain single to care for her mother.
Through the power of cooking, Tita expresses her emotions and desires, as her dishes evoke profound reactions in those who consume them.
As Tita's life unfolds, she faces numerous trials and hardships, including a tumultuous marriage to her sister Rosaura’s husband Pedro.
The novel explores Tita’s journey towards personal freedom and self-realization, set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution.
Costumes: 5/5
Audience: 3/5 - As always, there were a few people who could not be bothered to turn off their phones. We heard a few rings a few times. There were a few women around us who packed a picnic and proceeded to unwrap and eat/dink what they brought. The unwrapping of the final mint candy lasted an annoyingly long time.
My thoughts on the preference:
This ballet has something for everyone: solo dancing, couple dancing, and large group numbers. The costumes are fantastic. The music is accented with Mexican flavors while keeping more classical ballet music at the forefront.
The plot is surprisingly easy to follow.
The dancing is fantastic. You can watch the Insights video to see how particular Wheeldon is in providing direction to his dancers.
There was space in the performance to feel sad. Poor Tita. so well done for the music and choreography to make the audience feel her sadness.
yes, I highly recommend. If you get a chance to see it, go.
References:
https://www.broadwayworld.com/tonyawardspersoninfo.php?nomname=Bob%20Crowley