Snowfall Sets the Stage for the American Ballet Theatre’s ‘Sleeping Beauty’ in the OC
By archaicpress@gmail.com / on March 3rd, 2015 / in ARCHAIC PRESS, EntertainmentWith the wisp of Winter in the air, snowfall in the OC sets the stage for a sleeping curse and the arrival of the reimagined role of The Sleeping Beauty, courtesy of The American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in its world premiere at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Rolling in this week to Costa Mesa, the newly envisioned ballet will undoubtedly reveal the technical precision and eloquent lyricism we have come to know from the ABT, but it will also have a reminiscent air of earlier works as well.
Marking the 23rd appearance of the ABT to Costa Mesa’s Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and kicking off 2015 with a stunning world premiere, The Sleeping Beauty is the company’s fourth production of the ballet in its impressive history. But with some new flair and choreography to boot, it will be a version of the ballet unlike anyone in the company or the audience has seen before. Choreographed by Marius Petipa and ABT Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky, the famous dances and pas de deux will receive a fresh look, while the score, the sets and the costumes follow true to tradition. Inspired by the historic costumery of Léon Bakst for the 1921 Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, Tony Award-winning designer Richard Hudson will recreate classic looks, executed to perfection, while the Pacific Symphony will perform the original score by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.
In the eight shows planned for this week audiences will see many familiar faces taking the primary roles once again, with a few newcomers added into the mix. Opening night will certainly start big with famed duo, and our personal favorites, Diana Vishneva and Marcelo Gomes taking the leads as Princess Aurora and Prince Désiré. Other favorites like Misty Copeland (who will play Princess Florine Saturday and Sunday nights) will take center stage in primary roles as well, but it’s the new leads that have the dance community eager for their debuts in the famous roles.
To mark the occasion of the world premiere of The Sleeping Beauty, which will remain at the Segerstrom from Mar. 3rd to the 8th (with additional matinee performances available this weekend), the Segerstrom Center for the Arts is offering audiences not only a chance to see the ABT in action but also learn a bit more about the ballet and the dancers in the process. Preview Talks will be held the hour before each performance this week and the center will also host a gallery of costume sketches and set models designed by Richard Hudson, revealing the historic influence of Léon Bakst’s early work on the newly envisioned classic.
Want to get in on the action?
With eight performances held this week, the Segerstrom Center for the Arts has a performance for every person who wants to see the ABT in the stunning world premiere. Check out the action on social media by using the tags #SCFTA and #ABTSleepingBeauty, and visit the box office or www.scfta.org for ticket availability now through the 8th. We hope to see you there!