THE STATE BALLET THEATRE OF RUSSIA
AT THE NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
FEBRUARY 9 & 10, 2007
review by Ed Vincent
Only two performances of this wonderful production is a sin, but it is also true. They have vowed to return again though,
perhaps next year. The show is an incredible tour de force of
glamorous art. Enchanted dance mixed with entertaining choreography will keep you delighted throughout the event.
The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts is an intimate
theater and the overall effect is like seeing grand ballet in a
theater in the round. There are no bad seats and the sound and
sight lines are clear and exact. The presentation of Cinderella
is a fine amalgam of humor and beauty, contrasts of elegance
and hunched over elves scurrying about the stage. The evil
stepmother is portrayed by a cross dressing gent and the
daughters are talented dancers with humorous theatrics at
each bend.
The principal female dancers spend a lot of time on toe and
floating all about the scene. The costumes are charming and
the sets are nicely created backgrounds of each event.
Many of the dancers have learned their art together since
childhood and have honed their art to the peak of drama
in dance. I was particularly enamored with the fine balance
between arm and leg motions, giving a balance to the
whole feel of movement--very nicely executed. Some companies
might favor more emphasis on leg maneuvers, the symmetry
of good balance between all parts of the body set in motion
appears more akin to nature.
You don't want to miss this performance.
THE STATE BALLET THEATRE OF RUSSIA
MAKES CHICAGOLAND DEBUT WITH FAIRY TALE CLASSIC
CINDERELLA ACCOMPANIED BY FULL ORCHESTRA IN TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY, AT THE NORTH SHORE CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
FEBRUARY 9 & 10, 2007
January, 2007 – The State Ballet Theatre of Russia, touring on behalf of the renowned Voronezh State Theatre of Opera and Ballet, makes its Chicagoland debut with Vladimir Vasiliev’s new staging of the fairy tale classic, Cinderella, set to Sergei Prokofiev’s magnificent score. Featuring 56 dancers and a full symphony orchestra from Russia, The State Ballet Theatre of Russia will present Cinderella in two performances only at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Boulevard, in Skokie, Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10 at 8:00 p.m.
First staged by the great ballet master Vladimir Vasiliev in 1991 for the Kremlin Ballet, Vasiliev reworked the libretto, choreography and direction for the Voronezh State Theatre of Opera and Ballet, along with acquiring new costumes and scenic design by brothers Rafail and Viktor Volskiyos, respectively. This version of Cinderella received its World Premiere in Voronezh, Russia on July 15, 2006.
Vladimir Vasiliev, born in Moscow in 1940, is considered one of the ballet world’s most important leaders. Vasiliev graduated from the Moscow Ballet School in 1958 and joined the Bolshoi Ballet where he soon became a Premiere Danseur. As a star of the Bolshoi Ballet and international soloist, he set the standard for extraordinary male dancing in the 20th century. During his tenure as General Director of the Bolshoi Theatre,
he transformed the organization from an insular Soviet institution into
one of the world’s leaders of international culture. He is unparalleled as a choreographer, director, teacher, scholar, and leader in the world of ballet. Vasiliev’s first Cinderella toured to France, Italy and Greece, and was staged by the Cheliabinsk Opera in 2002.
The State Ballet Theatre of Russia (The Voronezh State Theatre of Opera and Ballet) was established in 1961 and has toured with productions of traditional Russian classics throughout France, Germany, Holland and Czechoslovakia, as well as in India and throughout Africa. Awarded the honorable title of Deserved Artist of Russia in 1984, Igor Nepomnyashchiy serves as Artistic Director. Among the company’s 56 dancers are distinguished Russian artists and winners of international ballet competitions. These leading dancers have represented the art of Russian Ballet in the USA, Germany, Hungary, Spain, Italy, France, Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Vietnam, India, Cyprus, Malta, Japan, and several countries in Africa. The 2006-2007 season marks The State Ballet Theatre of Russia’s North American debut performances of Cinderella.
Cinderella will be performed on Friday and Saturday evenings, February 9 and 10, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets, priced from $45-$65, are now on sale at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts box office, 9501 Skokie Boulevard, in Skokie; by phone at (847) 673-6300; or on-line at www.northshorecenter.org.
For more information about The State Ballet Theatre of Russia’s presentation of Cinderella, please visit www.amapromo.com.
© Suburban Journals of Chicago
published by Suburban Journals of Chicago Inc.
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