Ventura County Ballet Company presents 'Sleeping Beauty' with International cast, May 22-23
Tina Vervoorn
May 07, 2010
Featuring an international ensemble of more than 100, including a cast from around the world, the classic fairytale is brought to life through a metamorphosis of talent representing the best in classic techniques to convey the Russian tale through thoughtful execution and choreography.
"The original ballet, first performed in 1890 and scored by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, was based on Charles Perrault´s La Belle au Bois Dormant," says choreographer and associate artistic director at Ventura County Ballet Company Marina Fliagina. "Originally, the ballet was four hours in length, since during the Nineteenth Century life was more leisure…people could afford to linger and relax to enjoy such a long, lavish production."
Fliagina, who danced professionally in her home country of Russia for more than 30 years, says her version of the ballet is comparable to The Nutcracker at one and one-half hours and is filled with prime jewels from the original production. All of the traditional movements that make this particular ballet a classic have been retained, including such famous movements as the Rose Adagio and pas du deux with Aurora and Prince Desire´ and the pas du deux with Princess Florina and the Blue Bird.
"Even though we brought in new influences such as multi-dimensional sets and lavish new costumes, this ballet is a classic and some of its variations cannot be touched," Fliagina says. "These make it a classic and almost sacred to perform. These movements keep the original ballet alive throughout history."
Fliagina´s choreographic adaptation of the ballet won a 2005 Telly Award for Best Videography in a Live Performance in Production. This is the same production that will be presented May 22-23 at the Oxnard Performing Arts Center.
The spectacular cast includes Victoria Luchkina from Kazakhstan as Princess Aurora, Jose Gonzalez from Columbia as Prince Desire´, and Enton Hoxha from Albania in multiple roles. American John Christopher Piel will fill various key roles as will Bruce King, a classic ballet dancer who has performed on stages throughout France and Europe. Students from Ventura County Ballet Company and Ballet Academy Ventura make up the remaining cast.
Local celebrities Bo Jaxon of B951 radio, arts patron and founder Sandra Laby and others also will take to the stage in supporting roles.
Complete with a larger than life fairytale ending, Princess Aurora and Prince Desire' celebrate their wedding nuptials with fellow fairytale characters including Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, Puss N´ Boots and the White Cat, Tom Thumb and the Giant.
This is a very colorful production families will love," Fliagina says. "We have all of the elements: intrigue, romance, cheer, laughter, suspense and, of course, love and forever-after."
Performances and Tickets:
What: Sleeping Beauty – A Fairytale Ballet
Date: 7:00 p.m. on May 22 and 2:00 p.m. on May 23
Where: Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way, Oxnard
Cost: Adults $9 to $23, seniors $15, children $10. Following each performance, attendees will have the opportunity to meet Sleeping Beauty, Prince Desire'.
Tickets: Box office at (805) 486-2424, Ventura County Ballet Company at (805) 648-2080 or online at http://www.oxnardpacc.com.
Information: http://www.venturacountyballet.com/Performances.html
About the Ventura County Ballet Company and Ballet Academy Ventura
Celebrating its 18th year, the Ventura County Ballet Company presents two to three large scale productions each year. The productions feature professional dancers as well as VCBC pre-professionals, students from Ballet Academy Ventura, the official school of the VCBC. Information: www.balletacademyventura.com.
Kathleen Noblin, a recipient of the City of Ventura 2008 Mayor´s Arts Award, founded Ballet Academy Ventura, as the official in-residence school of the Ventura County Ballet Company in 1992. She has served as executive director of the company since its inception. Students are taught creative movement as early as 2 to 3½ years and pre-ballet to the age of six. A complete and graduated ballet program, beginning through pre-professional, including adults is taught. Other classes include modern dance, flamenco, and jazz.
Media contact:
Consortium Media Services
PR@consortium-media.com
Tina Vervoorn (805) 654-1564 ext. 117
Adrienne Stephens (805) 654-1564 ext. 116
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