Baryshnikov + Jessica Lange’s Daughter Stars in Ballet at Vets
Friday, May 10, 2013
Shura Baryshnikov, daughter to legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov and acclaimed actor Jessica Lange, will perform on stage this weekend at The Vets, with Festival Ballet Providence. Photo: A. Cemal Ekin
Shura Baryshnikov, the daughter of legendary dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov and heralded actor Jessica Lange, will appear as Carabosse, the evil fairy in the fairy tale. Baryshnikov is a teacher at FBP.
The ballet based on the Brothers Grimm’s timeless story of good conquering evil, will be presented by Festival Ballet Providence (FBP) as a gift to all “mom’s” for Mother’s Day. This wonderful ballet will be performed by FBP’s immediate family company members, choreographers, children from the FBP School, the artistic staff and alumni. This is the final production in FBP’s 35th Season, with performances taking place on May 10 at 8pm, May 11 at 2pm, and May 12 at 2pm at The Vets, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence, RI.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe ballet has been restaged and abbreviated into a two-hour experience including Intermission, a perfect length for Mom’s and their families. Artistic director Mihailo Djuric and long time colleague, Milica Bijelic, who have a long history of working together, are bringing a fresh vibrancy to this classic production. Stunning ornate and baroque-styled sets and costumes, which have been built in St. Petersburg, Russia, evoke rich imagery for this timeless tale.
The Sleeping Beauty
The Sleeping Beauty tells the story of Princess Aurora, who has an evil spell cast upon her at her Christening by the evil fairy Carabosse—when she grows up she will prick her finger on a spindle and die. The Lilac Fairy, Aurora's Godmother, intervenes, saying that instead, Aurora will fall into a deep sleep for 100 years when a Prince's kiss will awaken her. One hundred years after the opening event, Prince Dèsirè does indeed discover the Princess, and The Lilac Fairy’s prediction comes true: he kisses Aurora and they marry at an elaborate and spectacular wedding. The extravagant ceremony is attended by fairy-tale characters like Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf, The White Cat and Puss n' Boots, Princess Florine and Bluebird and others. The Lilac Fairy herself blesses the marriage of the Prince and Princess and they live happily ever after.The story is told through ballet set to the gorgeous music of Tchaikovsky and to the equally magnificent choreography of Marius Petipa. The production offers one of the most exciting and enduring ballet experiences to be had.
Two casts will perform the ballet over the course of the weekend.
Notable Dancers include:
*Shura Baryshnikov (FBP teacher) as Carabosse
*Elizabeth Donabedian the Queen, FBP alumnus and former Miss Rhode Island, who most recently, danced the role of the Queen in FBP’s 2012 production of Swan Lake
*Jennifer Ricci as Princess Florine (Company), a reprise of her performance in this role for FBP’s production of The Sleeping Beauty in 2004
*Vilia Putrius and Ruth Whitney as Princess Aurora (Companythis is the first time that Vilia and Ruth will be dancing this role)
*Cosmin Marculetiu (FBP Ballet Master) as King Florestan XIV
*Mindaugas Bauzys and Alan Alberto as Prince Dèsirè (Company)
*Emily Loscocco as the Lilac Fairy (Company)
*Elizabeth Mochizuki as the White Cat (Company)
*Ilya Burov as Puss ‘n Boots (Company)
*Alex Lantz as the Big Bad Wolf (Company)
*Mary Ann Mayer (FBP School Director) as the Countess
*Brenna DiFrancesco (Company Apprentice) as Little Red Riding Hood
*Gianni DiMarco, as Cattalabutte, the Master of Ceremonies, (Choreographer, most known by RI audiences for his performance in Don Quixote and for his choreography for many Up Close on Hope productions)
*50 Children from the FBP School
Photo: A. Cemal Ekin
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