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First State Ballet Theatre is in the midst of its most ambitious season of any ballet company in the history of our state. Ten productions will be staged in seven venues in all three counties.
Saturday and Sunday, “Don Quixote” appears for two performances on the main stage of the Grand Opera House.
Artistic Director Pasha Kambalov is using the original choreography created by Marius Petipa in 1869. You may recall two of his other ditties – “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Nutcracker.” Petipa is considered the most important ballet choreographer of all time.
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IF YOU GO
WHAT WHEN 2 p.m. Sunday WHERE Grand Opera House, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington ADMISSION $25-$35, students 18 and younger pay half-price, seniors and groups receive $5 discounts. Discounts not available online MORE INFO (800) 37-GRAND or www.firststateballet.com |
FSBT is the theatrical equivalent to UD’s REP Ensemble. They just do their magic en pointe. Excellence comes with the details. For evidence one need only observe the Kambalovs during rehearsal. Two sets of eyes dance back and forth over their charges. Pasha was a former lead and Kristina has danced all her life. In fact, Pasha will dance the comedic character role of Gamache.
FSBT’s costumes were constructed in St. Petersburg, Russia by artisans with over 100 years in the business. Every production aspect of both organizations is micromanaged with the end result a titillating visceral experience for the viewer.
The theme of Cervantes' “Don Quixote” has been mined in many forms and the timing was good for this production. The group has now grown to 17 professional dancers. In total, there are 50 in the cast. This is one elegant, graceful and attractive ensemble of artists.
The Little Foxes
Well, the Hubbard family of the Deep South aren’t the Nelsons – Ozzie and Harriet, that is. The plot is based on family strife, greed, theft and blackmail. I don't recall a parallel with David and Ricky's Mom and Dad.
Lillian Hellman's most popular play is not only melodramatic and personal, it is also political. The Hubbards – circa 1900 – are hugely entertaining while pursuing their dastardly ends. But it’s not like it isn’t in their genes – the family had made a small fortune exploiting newly-freed slaves. So they come by their lack of morals honestly. Bribery is genetic with this clan. Brother Ben believes that the new century will belong to “foxes” like himself.
First State Ballet Theatre is in the midst of its most ambitious season of any ballet company in the history of our state. Ten productions will be staged in seven venues in all three counties.
Saturday and Sunday, “Don Quixote” appears for two performances on the main stage of the Grand Opera House.
Artistic Director Pasha Kambalov is using the original choreography created by Marius Petipa in 1869. You may recall two of his other ditties – “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Nutcracker.” Petipa is considered the most important ballet choreographer of all time.
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IF YOU GO
WHAT WHEN 2 p.m. Sunday WHERE Grand Opera House, 818 N. Market St., Wilmington ADMISSION $25-$35, students 18 and younger pay half-price, seniors and groups receive $5 discounts. Discounts not available online MORE INFO (800) 37-GRAND or www.firststateballet.com |
FSBT is the theatrical equivalent to UD’s REP Ensemble. They just do their magic en pointe. Excellence comes with the details. For evidence one need only observe the Kambalovs during rehearsal. Two sets of eyes dance back and forth over their charges. Pasha was a former lead and Kristina has danced all her life. In fact, Pasha will dance the comedic character role of Gamache.
FSBT’s costumes were constructed in St. Petersburg, Russia by artisans with over 100 years in the business. Every production aspect of both organizations is micromanaged with the end result a titillating visceral experience for the viewer.
The theme of Cervantes' “Don Quixote” has been mined in many forms and the timing was good for this production. The group has now grown to 17 professional dancers. In total, there are 50 in the cast. This is one elegant, graceful and attractive ensemble of artists.
The Little Foxes
Well, the Hubbard family of the Deep South aren’t the Nelsons – Ozzie and Harriet, that is. The plot is based on family strife, greed, theft and blackmail. I don't recall a parallel with David and Ricky's Mom and Dad.
Lillian Hellman's most popular play is not only melodramatic and personal, it is also political. The Hubbards – circa 1900 – are hugely entertaining while pursuing their dastardly ends. But it’s not like it isn’t in their genes – the family had made a small fortune exploiting newly-freed slaves. So they come by their lack of morals honestly. Bribery is genetic with this clan. Brother Ben believes that the new century will belong to “foxes” like himself.
“People like us will own this country one day,” he declares.
Regina (Elizabeth Heflin) is the imperious, willful and icy blooded matriarch. The role has been a favorite of strong actresses like Talullah Bankhead, Bette Davis and Elizabeth Taylor. Heflin carries the torch.
Oscar (Mic Matarrese) and brothers Leo (Michael Gotch) and Benjamin (Stephen Pelinski) claw over one another in their rapaciousness.
The second act belongs to Birdie (Carine Montbertrand). The younger sister and the only one with a moral compass, Birdie cries out that due to her avaricious and scheming siblings: “I haven't had a whole day of happiness in 22 years.”
Birdie’s breakdown is a tour de force by the veteran Montbertrand.
Next up is “Noises Off,” opening Nov. 16. Frank Rich, a legendary New York Times theater critic called it “one of the funniest plays written in [his] lifetime.” REP does comedy extremely well. I can’t wait.
