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Los Angeles Times
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Miami City Ballet brings ‘Swan Lake' to Segerstrom
The origins of 'Swan Lake' are difficult to trace, though most audiences accept the story has roots in Russian and German folktales and most ballet companies base their productions on the 1895 revival of it. From June 20 to 22, Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa presents a particularly captivating version of it performed by Miami City Ballet. The ballet is choreographed by renowned dancemaker Alexei Ratmansky. He reconstructed this version of 'Swan Lake' using historical notations and archival material that dates back to that 1895 revival performed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov at Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, creating an 'historically informed' presentation of the iconic ballet. Miami City Ballet premiered this staging of 'Swan Lake' in 2022 under longtime artistic director Lourdes Lopez. 'Every major ballet company performs a version of 'Swan Lake' as it is truly considered the epitome of classical ballet,' Lopez said in a statement about the original run. 'Add Ratmansky's genius and being witness to the genuine love and dedication he put into restoring the ballet's original intent, we are simply honored and extremely excited for our audiences to experience the greatest of all classical ballets.' Ratmansky specializes in revising 19th- and early 20th-century ballet repertoire and Segerstrom Center has presented his versions of 'The Sleeping Beauty,' 'Whipped Cream' and 'Giselle' on its stage. 'Swan Lake' depicts themes of love, romance and betrayal while following the doomed love of Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette, as they thwart the evil Baron Von Rothbart, who has placed a curse on young women, making them swans by day and human by night. Ratmansky's version with the the Miami City Ballet premiered to much acclaim and executive director Juan José Escalante expressed his excitement about bringing the production to Costa Mesa in a statement. 'Miami City Ballet is honored to share Alexei Ratmansky's magnificent 'Swan Lake' with audiences beyond Florida for the first time since its creation in 2022,' said Escalante. 'This production has been a labor of love and performing it at the Segerstrom Center is a thrilling milestone for the company.' Founded in 1985 by Miami philanthropist Toby Lerner Ansin and headquartered in Miami Beach, Miami City Ballet is one of the country's most renowned dance companies, recognized for its artists' athleticism and vibrancy. The five performances this weekend will also feature support from Orange County's own Pacific Symphony, performing the music of Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Lopez, who established herself as a cultural figure at the New York City Ballet, ends her 13-year tenure at Miami City Ballet at the end of the current season, making this limited performance even more essential. 'Over the past 13 seasons with the company, I have watched our dancers grow artistically and technically and it is a thrill to see them take on this challenging ballet,' said Lopez. Miami City Ballet's 'Swan Lake' runs at Segerstrom Center for the Arts at 600 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa June 20 to June 22. Tickets, which start at $55.37, are available at
Spectator
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Spectator
The cheering fantasies of Oliver Messel
Through the grey downbeat years of postwar austerity, we nursed cheering fantasies of a life more lavishly colourful and hedonistic. Oliver Messel fed them: born into Edwardian privilege, the epitome of well-connected metropolitan sophistication, he doubled up as interior decorator and stage designer, creating in both roles a unique style of rococo elegance and light-touch whimsy that sweetened and consoled – 'a gossamer world of gilded enchantment' as Roy Strong soupily put it. 'Marie Antoinette would have felt at home in any of his settings.' Posterity has not been kind to Messel. Only a little of his art has survived changes of fashion since his death in 1978: the Dorchester Hotel is currently restoring the VIP suite he dreamed up, and several villas in his beloved Barbados retain the appearance and atmosphere that he suavely devised for them. But aside from the Royal Ballet's unsuccessful attempt to resuscitate the splendours of his 1946 vision of The Sleeping Beauty, the work he prolifically did for the stage, both in Britain and the USA, survives only in coffee-table books and the archives. Perhaps the long lens of history will judge Messel's most substantial theatrical achievement to be embodied in the nine operas by Strauss, Rossini and Mozart that he designed for Glyndebourne between 1950 and 1959. An expertly curated exhibition, running through the current festival's season in the opera house's foyer, pays these legendary productions handsome tribute. Glyndebourne's fête champêtre was Messel's natural element, and his ancillary designs for the programme book and proscenium arch did much to establish what might now be described as its brand. Part of his genius was his understanding the village-hall scale of Glyndebourne's stage. The palatial scenes of Idomeneo and Der Rosenkavalier had intimacy as well as spaciousness, while the servants' quarters in Le nozze di Figaro and La Cenerentola were cutely cosy rather than dingy – Glyndebourne audiences in the 1950s weren't in the mood for gritty realism, and Messel seduced them with a sumptuous yet subtle palette of pink, green, plum, turquoise, ultramarine and canary yellow. Even if his initial sketches, dashed off in one session, were so impressionistic that seamstresses were hard put to interpret his intentions, he lavished as much imagination on costumes as he did on the scenery, relishing the textures of taffeta, chiffon and silk. Sadly few of these have been preserved, but a centrepiece of the exhibition is the Marschallin's gorgeous midnight blue and salmon pink gown from Rosenkavalier, worn by two great sopranos, Régine Crespin and Montserrat Caballé. Props also engaged him: Messel may have drawn vaguely, but he was meticulous and resourceful in the atelier, hands on and dirty, making do and mending with the detritus of pipe cleaner, cellophane, sticky tape, papier-mâché, sequins, and staples to conjure up the silver rose for Rosenkavalier or the Countess's mirror in Figaro. A furiously hard all-night worker who paid fanatic attention to detail, he was not an easy-going collaborator and he found the director Glyndebourne assigned him, Carl Ebert, 'rather hell' – a view that was probably reciprocated. Designs would be presented as a fait accompli: he had the whiphand, and any criticism or request for alteration would send him into a sulk. 'He thought he was perfect,' recalled his long-suffering assistant Carl Toms. But he wasn't perfect, and time caught up with him. Come the Swinging Sixties, his camp caprices began to look over-contrived and fey, and his productions would inexorably be replaced by more visually robust statements. In the West End young lion designers such as Sean Kenny abandoned painted backcloths for a grittier aesthetic based on solid materials and revolving machinery, while Glyndebourne turned to Emanuele Luzzati, an Italian who dealt in vibrant primary colours that Messel would have considered vulgar. He was, in other words, not a classic for the ages. But like his rival Cecil Beaton, he sums up an era. One tantalising glimpse of what his art looked like in performance remains: On Such a Night, a 40-minute promotional colour movie directed by Anthony Asquith, shows live scenes from the 1955 production of Figaro. The DVD is no longer on sale in the Glyndebourne shop, but copies can be snapped up on Amazon.
Indianapolis Star
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
'Sleeping Beauty' and premieres on Indianapolis Ballet's 2025-26 season
Indianapolis Ballet's 2025-26 season will be marked by another major collaboration with the Indianapolis Symphony as well as several premieres. In September, the company will perform George Balanchine's "Concerto Barocco" for the first time, and dancers will present world premieres of more works with original choreography. In the spring, the ballet will program "The Sleeping Beauty" at Clowes Memorial Hall as the third installment of its running collaboration with the orchestra. The new season also will showcase the talents of students who attend the Indianapolis School of Ballet, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. Current season subscribers can renew their tickets now, and new subscription sales begin June 11. Individual tickets go on sale Aug. 4. Visit to buy and for more information. Here's Indianapolis Ballet's 2025-26 season. Performances are at the Tobias Theatre at Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road, unless otherwise noted. Aug. 14-23. District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave. The company will return to the IndyFringe festival to perform a concert that folds in classical ballet, jazz and more with choreography by Founding Artistic Director Victoria Lyras, Assistant Artistic Director Kristin Young Toner and dancers. Sept. 19-21 The performance will celebrate legendary choreographer George Balanchine with "The Four Temperaments," "Concerto Barocco" and a world premiere by the ballet's artistic team. Oct. 30-Nov. 2. The District Theatre The program will combine classical form and contemporary expression to show a current portrait of the art form. Dec. 18-23. Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University, 4602 Sunset Ave. Indy Ballet continues its tradition of performing the classic tale about Clara's Christmas Eve journey that includes the Land of the Sweets, the Sugar Plum Fairy and waltzing flowers. Dec. 27-30 The one-hour version introduces kids and first-time ballet patrons to the iconic work. 100+ free concerts: Where to find the live shows around central Indiana during summer 2025 Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2026 On this program full of contrasts are the gentle moments of Balanchine's "Serenade" and the intense "Boléro" with music by Maurice Ravel. The Indianapolis School of Ballet's Dance of the Hours will honor the school's 20th anniversary as well. March 6-7, 2026, Clowes Memorial Hall The ballet will team up with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra to perform the masterwork fairytale about Princess Aurora's journey from a curse to a kiss. April 17-19, 2026 The work pairs Felix Mendelssohn's score with the William Shakespeare comedy about a night of mischief, confusion and young love. The IndianapoLIST newsletter has the best shows, art and eats — and the stories behind them
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
From pirouettes to powerful plays: Joburg's theatre line-up this week
The enchanting production of the Youth Russian Ballet's 'Sleeping Beauty' on stage. The Sleeping Beauty by the Youth Russian Ballet Company The Youth Russian Ballet Company is bringing their enchanting production of 'The Sleeping Beauty' to Joburg this weekend. The production features the organisation's dancers, rising stars Karmia Postma and Elena Leonteva, who will alternate in the role of Princess Aurora. Meanwhile, guest artist Gabriel Fernandes, a soloist with the South African Ballet Theatre, will be joining the cast as the Prince. Together, these young talents and guest artists will showcase breathtaking choreography to create an unforgettable performance. Where: The Main Theatre at the Roodepoort Theatre. When: Saturday, May 17, and Sunday, May 18. Show times differ, depending on the day.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
65 stages with concerts for one day in Modesto. See when, how to be there
The popular Modesto Porchfest returns with local musicians performing on outdoor home stages. Central West Ballet brings a classic tale to the Gallo Center, while the State Theatre hosts a tribute band. All these events are planned for May 17-23 in the Modesto region. Music lovers will gather for scattered outdoor concerts during the annual Modesto Porchfest. More than 65 stages will be set up throughout the La Loma, College and downtown neighborhoods with homeowners hosting bands on porch, patio and driveway stages. For a map of locations, see the website below. WHEN: Noon-5 p.m. May 18 WHERE: Various locations ADMISSION: Free, with tip jars available to benefit the musicians ONLINE: Central West Ballet brings 'The Sleeping Beauty' to the Gallo Center. 'A pageant in the gorgeous tradition of story ballets. See all the greatest fairytale characters attend Princess Aurora's wedding: Cinderella, Puss in Boots and the White Cat, Tom Thumb and Little Red Riding Hood,' the center's website says of the production. There will a Sleeping Beauty Boutique in the lobby and Fairytale Parties on stage after each matinee to meet the characters. WHEN: 2 p.m. May 17-18, 7 p.m. May 17 WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto TICKETS: $35-$81 ONLINE: Journey USA – The Hits of Journey brings its tribute to the classic rock band to the State Theatre. The band combines crowd participation and a multimedia production featuring narration, video and special effects. Expect hits such as 'Don't Stop Believin',' 'Open Arms,' 'Separate Ways' and 'Any Way You Want It.' WHEN: 8 p.m. May 23 WHERE: State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto TICKETS: $35-$55 ONLINE: Get the Eat. Sip. Play. newsletter in your inbox Available now: Sign up here for the best food, drink and entertainment coverage in Stanislaus County.
