(EMERSON, NJ) -- In 1959, Disney delighted audiences with the release of Sleeping Beauty, a tale of a beautiful princess, her fairy godmothers, and their struggle against an evil fairy hungry for revenge. However, what might come as a surprise is that this enchanting story traces back to medieval times and is the foundation of one of the dance world's oldest and most cherished ballets.
On Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28, Ballet Arts and Adelphi Orchestra will uphold this timeless tradition with their presentation of The Sleeping Beauty. With orchestration arranged specifically for Adelphi Orchestra by John Longstaff, who has worked with ballet companies worldwide, including the Royal Ballet, this production is of professional caliber right here in our community that you won't want to miss.
The ballet begins on Princess Aurora's Christening Day. Fairies and townsfolk come to celebrate at the castle until the vengeful Fairy Carabosse, who was not invited to the party, curses Aurora. Carabosse declares that upon Aurora’s sixteenth birthday she would prick her finger and die. Although the Lilac Fairy is unable to break the curse, she alters it so that Aurora will merely sleep until true love's kiss awakens her. Scene II sees Aurora succumb to the curse, while Act II takes place one hundred years later, when Prince Desiré discovers her and breaks the spell with a kiss. The ballet concludes in true fairy tale fashion with a wedding where Jewels, Puss-n-Boots, the White Cat, Bluebird, Princess Florine, as well as Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf dance in celebration.
The forthcoming shows feature a diverse cast comprising local and professional youth and adult dancers. Aarón De Jesús Marquez, currently on scholarship at the esteemed American Ballet Theatre Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School under the direction of Artistic Director Stella Abrera, joins the ballet as a guest artist, as well as Vince Pelegrin, dancer with American Ballet Theatre Studio Company under the direction of Sascha Radetsky. Several graduating seniors from the area are dancing in principal roles as well. Sari Kaito, from Tenafly High School will dance the role of Princess Aurora. From River Dell High School (RDHS), Jack Silane will dance as the Bluebird as well as Prince Desiré and Ava Krieger and Isabella Lama will dance the roles of White Cat and Lilac Fairy, respectively. Naomi Roth, also a senior at RDHS, will take on the role of the evil Carabosse. Finally, Chloe Wozny of Westwood High School will dance as a Lila Fairy.
Dr. Fred Fakharzadeh will play the King and Amy Brandt, faculty at Ballet Arts and formerly of the Milwaukee and Suzanne Farrell Ballet, will appear as the Queen. Another faculty member, Simone Baechle will play a courtier with adult students rounding out the court, while Philip DeRosa will play the role of Cattalabutte, the master of ceremonies whose oversight provokes Carabosse’s wrath.
A ballet like The Sleeping Beauty is only complete with a warm embrace of all the families who are part of the Ballet Arts community. Keith Lomonico will dance alongside his daughter Viola, and Fraser Wilsher will perform with his daughters Erica and Claudia.
Celebrating its 70th year, the Adelphi Orchestra is a professional, non-profit orchestra performing symphonic, chamber, operatic, and dance concerts. Kyunghun Kim, who has a distinguished career as artistic director of symphonies here and in South Korea, will conduct The Sleeping Beauty performance. Ballet Arts, under the directorship of Jane Silane and Marilyn Westlake-Nichols, is one of New York and New Jersey's premiere ballet schools and was recently awarded an endorsement from the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum.
The show runs April 27 and April 28 at 2:00pm at River Dell High School, 55 Pyle Street, Oradell, NJ. Tickets may be purchased on-line at www.BalletArtsNJ.com. For more information call 201-970-7690.
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