An invitation to the Ballet Swan Lake
Considered the most famous ballet in the world, "Swan Lake" returns again to the Jackie Gleason Theater on April 20th and 21st. Ballet Etudes Company will present "Swan Lake" under the direction of Susana Prieto and the artistic staging and supervision of Rodolfo Rodriguez. South Florida audiences are eagerly anticipating the lavish, full length classical ballet productions that are the trademark of Ballet Etudes Company, South Florida's only classical ballet repertory company. Lavish sets and beautiful costumes and Eugene Lowery's exquisite lighting design will further enhance the full-length version, complete with orchestra under the baton of Maestro Alfredo Munar.
Guest artists for the spectacular production are internationally renowned ballerina Dagmar Moradillos partnered by Charles Askegard from New York City Ballet. Michael Cusumano will appear as Benno and will dance in the pas de trois from Act I with Ballet Etudes soloists Jessica Lemoine and Courtney O'Dell. Alina Hernandez and Ashley Barrera will appear as the Two Swans in Act II while Dominique Elden and Stephanie Kronick will dance these roles in Act IV. Misses O'Dell and Lemoine will alternate with Michael Cusumano in the Spanish Dance from Act III. Melissa Dominguez, Brittany O'Dell, Amnerie and Jessica Lemoine will dance the Pas de Quatre in Act II. Ballet Etudes' Peter La Fox will reprise his signature role of Von Rothbart and Claude Robert as Wolfgang the Tutor.
As Ballet Etudes Company enters its 28th season, "Swan Lake's" celebrates its 126th anniversary. Originally created in 1876 and revived in 1895, the ballet is a collaboration of Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov and the musical genius of Tchaikovsky. "From the exuberant peasant and character dances and the stately refinement of the aristocracy in Acts I and III, to the poignant evocative solos of Odette, "Swan Lake" is filled with all the facets of a good fairy tale. The music and choreography combine to immerse the audience in the elements of enchantment, infatuation, deception, betrayal and redemption through True Love.
Rodolfo Rodriguez, Ballet Etudes' artistic director is well known in the international community over the past forty years for his work as a principal dancer, choreographer, and founder of the Foundation Teresa Carreno in Caracas, Venezuela. He is charged with the task of staging Ballet Etudes' production of "Swan Lake" and rehearsing the corps to perfect unison. This production will be Mr. Rodriguez's fifth staging of "Swan Lake" on the Ballet Etudes Company. In his staging, he has combined the Third and Fourth Acts so that the sense of drama is heightened. He also eliminated the role of the Court Jester and made other minor changes, which allow the storyline to move smoothly to its conclusion.
Corporate sponsors as well as community support, help to maintain the consistently high caliber of production values that audiences have come to expect from Ballet Etudes Company. These sponsors include Diario Las Americas, Williamson Cadillac, Revista
Enterese, Balado National Tires, Channel 35 WPXM PAX TV, and Channel 4-WFOR-TV. Government support also comes by way of the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners, the State of Florida, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tickets for "Swan Lake" range from $18 through $60, with patron seating available for the Saturday night gala at $125. To order tickets, call TICKETMASTER at 305.358.5885 or 954.523.3309. Tickets are also available at the Jackie Gleason Theater box office at 305.673.7300.
Discounts are available for groups of fifteen or more. For ticket information, group rates and Patron Seats, call the Company ticket office at 305.827.1345.