Bad Boys at Wolf Trap: It Was Good for the Ladies

Deep in the heart of every woman who goes to the ballet is a girl who just wants to see buff men tear off their shirts and turn pirouettes.

At age 27, Rasta Thomas has this all figured out -- and he's exploiting his buff chest for all it's worth. Thomas and his company, the Bad Boys of Dance, made their area debut at Wolf Trap on Tuesday with an 80-minute display of beefcake ballet. It was a big night for the local troupe, and for women of all ages.

Thomas and his wife, Adrienne Canterna-Thomas, spent their teenage years training at Washington's Kirov Academy. His accolades include landing guest gigs at the Kirov Ballet (the real one in St. Petersburg) and the lead role in Twyla Tharp's Broadway musical "Movin' Out." The Bad Boys have been steadily booking international shows since they debuted two years ago, but rehearse at a studio in Gambrills. Add the outstanding performance of Fredericksburg native Robbie Nicholson, and locals had reason to cheer.

The show opened with its most serious piece: ballet and gymnastic warm-ups set to tangos by Piazzolla. From there, the first half took a swingin' look at a rocky relationship. After being jilted onstage by his real-life wife, Thomas and the guys boogied with blowup dolls to rhythms of Benny Goodman's "Sing, Sing, Sing." It was hysterical stuff, playing straight to the female libido.

The second half, a medley set to snippets by Queen, Prince and Michael Jackson, was less entertaining. With the exception of Thomas, whose jumps are jaw-dropping, and Nicholson, who never missed a pirouette, these Bad Boys are average dancers with strong showmanship skills. They should try more male partnering work, and make sure the unison moves are always in sync. Clean up their act just a bit, and the Bad Boys will truly be a guilty pleasure.

-- Rebecca J. Ritzel