Entertainment

‘Sleeping’ doesn’t rest well

Veronika Part seemed miscast as Princess Aurora, but Marcelo Gomes proved a princely partner in the ABT season closer, “The Sleeping Beauty.” (Gene Schiavone)

It’s not pretty to be stuck with the wrong role in “The Sleeping Beauty.” On opening night Tuesday of American Ballet Theatre’s season closer, the lead role of Princess Aurora went to the soulful but miscast Russian ballerina Veronika Part.

The production itself, which boasts multiple casts through the week, wasn’t doing her any favors. This 4-year-old version has Disney-ish designs and cartoon colors. While it uses the traditional fairy tale with its century-long nap and gorgeous Tchaikovsky score — and much of Marius Petipa’s original, 19th- century choreography — it’s hectic and overcrowded with movement.

Part is tall and lush with limbs that go on forever, but Aurora requires a dancer who’s precise, quick and strong. The statuesque ballerina made it through a marathon of slow balances in Act 1, but without projecting any joy, just relief as if it were a challenge on “Survivor.”

In her delicate solo in the final act, her feet gave out and she dropped off pointe. Even at her best, in Act 2 where Aurora gently beseeches the prince to rescue her, she seemed less the sunny princess her name implies, and almost tragic.

Others were better suited to their tasks. Marcelo Gomes played Prince Desire, and was a strong, handsome and enviable partner who discreetly helped Part out of a few jams. He earned his keep — and his royal title.

As Princess Florine and the enchanted Bluebird, Sarah Lane and Daniil Simkin danced a showy duet that played to their strengths: She’s petite and clean; he’s a little showman with a big jump.

Like Part, Stella Abrera was working against type as the good Lilac Fairy — a neat, sweet dancer in a larger-than-life role. But she rose heroically to the challenge when she rebuffed the villainous Carabosse, an acting role played with supersize ire by retired ballerina Martine van Hamel.

Take heart, lovers of happy endings: There are more felicitous casts to come. Alina Cojocaru — one of the most refined, delicate Auroras out there — dances the lead tomorrow with her fiancé, Johan Kobborg, as her prince.

There’s even a better finish for Tuesday’s hapless Aurora. At Saturday’s matinee she’ll dance the Lilac Fairy — a role for which she’s the perfect Part.