Don’t Miss Festival Ballet’s Up Close On Hope
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Get ready for one of the most vibrant performance events of the season, when Festival Ballet Providence (FBP) presents the tenth season of its award-winning contemporary dance series, UP CLOSE ON HOPE.
The first program in this series takes place on October 19 & 20, 26 & 27, and November 2 & 3, 2012 in the company’s Black Box Theater at 825 Hope Street in Providence.The second program will take place March 29 & 30, April 5 & 6, 12, & 13, 2013 with a completely different program.
So close you can hear them breathe
The theater is limited to only 80 seats, giving audiences the rare opportunity to view dancers so closely, that the experience has been described as “you-can-hear-them-breathe-intimacy.” It’s thrilling – exciting – visceral. The series' popularity often leads to sold-out performances, so it is suggested ticket buyers purchase their tickets in advance.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTUP CLOSE ON HOPE presents work of the highest caliber. Every year, audiences have a rare opportunity to see the often-stirring works of young choreographers. This year, several new company members – who are riding on the momentum created by the opening gala performance, Together We Dance 2 – are performing and have already proven to be an exciting addition to the company.
Five world premieres
This season's first UP CLOSE ON HOPE program will feature five world premieres, two US premieres and one Company premiere. Choreographers are Mark Harootian, George Birkadze, Egidijus Domeika, Gianni DiMarco, Marius Petipa, Vilia Putrius, Vincent Brewer, and Viktor Plotnikov.
Mark Harootian’s piece, Spektor of Things, which originally premiered 4 years ago in UP CLOSE ON HOPE, is back by popular demand, largely due to Ms. Spektor's recent concert at The Vets in October. It will be danced by Jennifer Ricci, Dylan Giles, Vincent Brewer, Kirsten Evans, Ian Matysiak and Tegan Rich.
Dynamite
George Birkadze’s world premiere of Dynamite is a high-energy contemporary work, which pushes the limits of classical technique and speed, and incorporates hip-hop and martial arts movement. Mr. Birkadze's choreography portrays women and men equally – both physically and emotionally. It is set to music by Prodigy, and will be performed by Emily Loscocco, Ilya Burov, and new Company members, Elizabeth Mochizuki, Alex Lantz, Hurunaga Yamakawa and Ruth Whitney.
George Birkadze’s second piece is the US premier of the Taming of the Shrew, set to the music of Antonio Vivaldi. This work was originally choreographed for ABT star Angel Corella and ABT principal dancers for their Spanish tour. The world premier was in Madrid in 2006 and the original cast was Erica Cornejo and Cory Stearns. This US premiere will feature Emily Loscocco and Ilya Burov.
May There Someday Be Peace
Vilia Putrius’s, world premiere, May There Someday Be Peace, is set to the music of John Williams. It is inspired by a poem written on the walls of a concentration camp by an unknown Jewish prisoner, which she saw while traveling this past summer in Europe. The choreography is based on events specific to World War II, featuring a young Jewish girl's unfulfilled dreams and struggle to accept death. Despite knowing she will die, she holds onto her beliefs. While Putrius’s earlier works featured larger ensembles, this new piece is set for two dancers. New York-based actress Hilary Chaplain is the narrator.
Set to the music of Arvo Part, Viktor Plotnikov’s world premiere of Given is a contemporary piece that rests between fantasy and reality. In the choreographer’s own words, Given is about, "…Different levels of unconsciousness are given to us... Abilities to turn fantasy in to reality on the mind level - an artist’s tool! There is an element connecting everything in life...What we believe is real enough..."
Casual Encounter
Gianni DiMarco’s world premiere of Casual Encounter is contemporary duet set to the music by Antonio Vivaldi, and is an interpretation of how we fantasize an encounter with a stranger to whom we are attracted.
The world premiere of Neighborhood Stories marks Vincent Brewer’s debut as a choreographer for the UP CLOSE ON HOPE series. This contemporary work, in two movements, is set to Igor Stravinsky’s score from the ballet Petrushka. The piece explores the hardships that face us as individuals or as a group in our communities today.
Spring
Spring, choreographed by well-known Lithuanian choreographer, Egidijus Domeika, was commissioned by the Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre. This is the first time that Spring, a technically demanding neo-classical pas de deux, will be performed in the US. In fact, Mr. Bauzys who will be dancing this pas de deux with Vilia Putrius was in the original cast when Spring first premiered in 1990, in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The pas de deux Le Carneval de Venise, choreographed by Marius Petipa for the Russian Imperial Ballet in 1868, is the only classical piece on the program. This pas de deux was introduced into the third act of the ballet, Satanella, where it was retained for many years. Le Carneval de Venise has lived on long after the full-length Satanella left the Imperial Ballet's repertory. Today, the Le Carneval de Venise pas de deux is a staple of the classical ballet repertory and the ballet competition circuit.
Tickets are priced at $50, and include intermission with wine (courtesy of RI Distributors) and light snacks from partnering local restaurants. Performances take place at 8:00 PM Fridays and 7:30 pm Saturdays. To purchase tickets, call Festival Ballet Providence, 401-353-1129.
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