Ballet Virginia Norfolk Theatre reviews
For the true Queensrÿche lover!
Ballet Virginia is one of those bands I adored in college before losing track of their career. I recall cobbling together ample funds to purchase Order for Rage on tape (that $ would have been enough for a week's worth of Ramen noodles for lunch & dinner!). When I spotted the House of Blues ad, I grabbed tickets for them. As the concert date neared, I sought out more details and found it was labeled Ballet Virginia Cabaret. Initially, I feared I had erred in purchasing tickets for a cover band, but after some online digging, I unearthed information about the Cabaret show.
I played that tape until my cassette player devoured it, then I'd rewind it and hit play again. Now onto the concert... I understand that many have both relished and felt let down by this show. I had a slight inkling about that, so I was prepared going in. I perused the setlist and gave it a listen beforehand, so it wasn't a shock to me. The music and the setlist felt cohesive to me. It's not a hit parade concert. Some tracks were well-known, others not. This isn't a concert for casual radio listeners. If you're a devoted Ballet Virginia aficionado who relishes the band's music beyond just the hits, then this setlist offered a nice mix from various albums, though not all. While I admire Geoff's voice and delivery, he didn't attempt some of the higher notes in this set.
Regarding the actual performance, there were ups and downs. The acrobats were remarkable, and the song choices for their acts were spot on. The initial few songs had some awkward moments with performers navigating the stage (a few close calls and a noticeable bump), and there was a bit of an uncomfortable pause between songs as they transitioned acts, outfits, etc. However, following the acrobat on the ribbons (she was exceptional!), the show seemed to hit a smoother stride. After viewing photos of past iterations of this concert, I suspect the House of Blues stage may have been somewhat smaller than what they were accustomed to, necessitating an adjustment period.
The show kicks off with a narrative that occasionally gets muddled in the delivery but gains momentum towards the latter part of the performance. My primary critique of the show is that it lacked tighter direction. The concept is sound; it just required more polished execution. The audience I was among seemed to adore it, showering them with enthusiastic cheers afterward. I would certainly recommend this show if you're a Ballet Virginia enthusiast!