A group of Maple Ridge ballerinas have been cast in the latest production by Ballet Jorgen, 'Sleeping Beauty'.
Hallee Gibson, Arianna Benetton, Natalia Stierle, Keilah Fedyshen, Eva Nemet and Susan Mitchell were chosen to be in the ballet through the Local Participant Program, which gives young dancers the opportunity to perform with a professional dance company.
'Sleeping Beauty' is one of the world‘s most famous romantic, classical ballets, set to the music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and holds a place in the repertoire of virtually every major company.
This production is a unique take by Ballet Jorgen on the classical ballet.
It tells the the enchanting story of Aurora and her prince, a fairy tale about a young woman placed under a spell to sleep for a hundred years only to be awakened by a kiss.
Described as magical, with dazzling choreography, stunning costumes, and captivating lighting design, it is a story that appeals to a child’s imagination and holds a special place in the hearts of adults.
The underlying theme is the tug between the forces of good with the Lilac Fairy, and evil with Carabosse, serving as an important thread to the plot.
Artistic Director and award-winning choreographer Bengt Jorgen focuses on the magical elements of the story and the interpretation of the ballet as a nature allegory: with the young woman representing nature, the wicked fairy, who deadens life with pricks of frost, is winter; and the young man, spring, who cuts away the brambles to allow the sun to awaken sleeping nature.
'Sleeping Beauty' by Ballet Jorgen draws on the traditional choreography by Marius Petipa to spin a tale of nature and love that will inspire young and old alike.
The delightful story will be danced to the original 1890 score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, set to a libretto based on Charles Perrault’s story 'La Belle au bois dormant'.
It is told in three acts, with exceptional character development and technical expertise for which Canada’s Ballet Jorgen is known.
There will be two performances of 'Sleeping Beauty' on Saturday, Feb. 8 – one at 4 p.m. and the other at 6 p.m. – at the Massey Theatre, 735 8th Ave, New Westminster.
For more information or to purchase tickets go to: https://www.masseytheatre.com/event/sleeping-beauty/.
