The opening night of the Peninsula Ballet Theatre’s Dracula, staged to the recorded music of Wojciech Kilar and Johann Strauss, unfolded at the historic Fox Theatre in Redwood City, California, on Halloween weekend. Based on the original Bram Stoker’s novel from 1887, the show, conceived, choreographed and directed by the PBT’s Artistic Director Bruce Steivel, follows the tragic legend of a 13th century crusader, Count Dracula, who loses the love of his life and turns into a vampire a.k.a. “undead” in his eternal search for the woman he loves. Six centuries later, Dracula’s story continues in the Victorian London, where his ideal woman now resides as a young bride of a hapless attorney. Before the opening curtain, Mr. Steivel spoke to the audience about his decision to bring the notorious spooky character to life on stage not as a blood-sucking murderer of his many victims, but as a romantic lover and a tragic figure of high poetic significance.
The production features highly skilled guest artists Milos Marijan and Boyana Zegarac – principal dancers from the National Ballet of Serbia where Steivel also serves as ballet director – in the leading roles of Dracula and Mina, as well as the Peninsula Ballet principal dancer Nathan Cottam who currently performs with the National Ballet of Serbia in the role of the American Jonathan Harker. PBT soloist Amanda McGovern performs the complex role of Lucy, following her character’s transformations with conviction and precision.
Chelsea Hix, Reina Victoria, and Nicole Yip are very graceful and seriously frightening as Dracula's Wives, and the entire company performs at the height of their ability and enthusiasm.
Chelsea Hix, Reina Victoria, and Nicole Yip are very graceful and seriously frightening as Dracula's Wives, and the entire company performs at the height of their ability and enthusiasm.
The concise version of the Stoker’s extensive plot transports viewers from Dracula’s castle to Lucy’s garden and brings the chilling ancient legend to life with the combined magic of literature, life theatre, and classical dance. Peninsula Ballet Theatre’s original production of this Victorian-era tale runs through tomorrow, October 28, at the Fox Theatre, 2223 Broadway, Redwood City, California.
More information: 650-369-7770 or www.peninsulaballet.org
More information: 650-369-7770 or www.peninsulaballet.org
Photo courtesy Lance Huntley: Guest artists Boyana ZEGARAC and Milos MARIJAN of National Ballet of Serbia. Scenes from PBT’s Dracula.
0 comments:
Post a Comment