We performed for a packed house last night for the closing of Sir Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella. The long days of rehearsal paid off; Cinderella (Ashton) was extremely successful. The patrons that filled the Capitol Theater for every show ended up on their feet during the curtain call.
I feel badly that I’ve been too busy with the shows to blog these last two weeks. I whipped out my camera in between entrances as a Cavalier this last Friday night to take a few shots of the show. I also got a few nice pictures down in the basement along the run. Christopher Sellars had a great idea to record a time lapse video of the make-up process the Ugly Step Sisters undertook before each show. So, I set up my camera of Alex MacFarlan and myself being glamafied (or the opposite, depends on how you look at it). Sellars also created a video of himself and Adrian’s transformation that can be viewed here.
I want to thank everyone who came to see the show. There is nothing better than being able to perform for such huge crowds. Anyone who didn’t see the show, click here to read Cathy Adams’ review. If you don’t want to read Cathy’s review then you can read an anonymous writer’s review: Cinderella good. Ballet West awesome. Beau Pearson my favorite.
Look Mom! I made it on the blog!
Katie Critchlow, Allison DeBona, Emily Adams, Beckanne Sisk, Jenna Herrera & Thomas Mattingly as the Autumn Fairy, Winter Fairy, Fairy Godmother, Summer Fairy, Spring Fairy & Dance Master
Christiana Bennett as Cinderella
Adrian Fry as the big Ugly Step Sister
Rex Tilton as the Prince
Christiana Bennett as Cinderella
Emily Adams & Adrian Fry as the Summer Fairy and her Cavalier
Valentine’s day is just around the corner which means roses will be overpriced, See’s Candies lines will be way too long and Ballet West opens Cinderella (Sir Frederick Ashton). During the next few days we will be in the theater spending as much time as possible readying ourselves for Thursday. This production of Cinderella (Sir Frederick Ashton) has big sets and many props to work with, especially for the Ugly Stepsisters. One of the challenging, yet gratifying parts of transitioning from the studios to the stage is dancing with the orchestra instead of the usual piano accompaniment. A live orchestra can be difficult to adjust to because certain notes are heard more clearly coming from the solo piano. However, the sound of all the instruments together (especially in Prokofiev’s score) brings ballets to life and feels so good to dance along side. There is a lot of history behind Sir Frederick Ashton’s version of Cinderella, which we are very lucky to be able to share with the community.
Arolyn Williams making fun of the Ugly Stepsisters as Cinderella
Once a ballerina, always a ballerina (those are Malin Thoors’ rehearsal shoes)
Everything is running smoothly as we head into our last week rehearsing Cinderella (Sir Frederick Ashton) in the studios. Below are more pictures from rehearsals for your viewing pleasure. By the way, everyone thank Breaking Pointe for the blue walls.
Christiana Bennett & Rex Tilton
Malin Thoors
Easton Smith, Rex Tilton & Kaya Aman rehearing the first act of CINDERELLA
Malin Thoors working on the Jester with Tyler Gum & Thomas Mattingly
Christopher Ruud & Easton Smith rehearsing the Ugly Stepsisters
