University of Utah School of Dance presents “Utah Ballet,” featuring premiere works by guest artist and alumna Sayoko Knode and faculty artist Christine McMillan, plus a historical re-staging of the complete third act of Marius Petipa's “Sleeping Beauty,” by faculty artist Christopher Alloways-Ramsey.
Get ready to see pointe work three ways— one classical work, and two different flavors of contemporary work.
“Sleeping Beauty” is the pinnacle of the collaborative work between Marius Petipa, the 19th-century's most outstanding ballet choreographer, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, the greatest Romantic composer of the late 19th century.
“Sleeping Beauty represents the height of classical ideals in the refined technical challenges,” said Chris Alloways-Ramsey. “The harmonious balance Petipa creates within the patterns for the corps de ballet and the various divertissements create a spectacle that became Petipa's hallmark.”
Utah Ballet is presenting Act III of Sleeping Beauty which features the wedding celebration between Princess Aurora and Prince Désiré. The royal court, including the King and the Queen, are in attendance along with many of the characters from beloved fairy tales: Puss n' Boots, Red Riding Hood and the Wolf, the enchanted Princess Florine and the Bluebird, the Lilac Fairy, and Prince Florimund and his Sisters. Some of these characters will include our very own Sean Carter (SoD admin), Joselli Deans (SoD faculty), and Alloways-Ramsey himself.
“The Ballet Program dancers have grown artistically and technically through Petipa's challenging choreography and the hours of coaching that have brought this production to life” said Alloways-Ramsey.
“Becoming,” a new contemporary ballet choreographed by University of Utah alumna and guest artist, Sayoko Knode, introspects the often unspoken experiences that accompany many of life’s accomplishments.
“The piece is portrayed across musical compositions by Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saëns, and Dvorák,” said Knode. “It delves into the darker and bittersweet recognition that certain triumphs bring an end to one’s former self.”
The title of Christine McMillan’s new contemporary ballet piece, “Here we are/We are here,” invokes the concept that every moment is a new moment and embracing that. We can only be where we are at the present moment, and we can also pro-actively own the moment we are in.
"I seem to keep returning to the idea of vigilance/watchfulness within several of my works, and the constant effort in maintaining personal safety. This relates to the environment we find ourselves in, hence Here we are,” said McMillan. “I've also been thinking about the deep friendships I've built with various people over the years. Vigilance is tiring, and it’s easy to forget the sustenance we get from others. I’m interested in how we balance these aspects of our lives. The piece starts with this sense of vigilance, along with ideas of fierceness and drive to move forward. Within the piece, a trio embodies the literal and figurative support we get from one another. The final section furthers the journey of the dancers into a sense of confidence, comradery, and joy - embodying the assertiveness of the statement We are here."
Utah Ballet opens October 27th at the Marriott Center for Dance and is sure to be a dazzling display of movement utilizing both classical and contemporary pointe work.