On Thursday, February 7 through Sunday, February 10 at 8 p.m. in the Victoria Theatre, Dayton Ballet will present the company’s premiere production of the original classic ballet Cinderella, replete with the musical score by Sergei Prokofiev. The 75th Anniversary Season sponsors are Kettering Health Network and the Miriam Rosenthal Memorial Trust Fund.
Say “Cinderella,” and what pops into your head? Romance? Intrigue? Love? Humor? How could it not? Just look at the list of characters in the cast. A harassed serving girl, a wicked stepmother, two evil stepsisters, a fairy godmother, four fairies, 12 prince’s courtiers, four mice, four attendants, and a handsome prince (of course). Add to it the music of Sergei Prokofiev, and another word might just pop into your head – magic.
Karen Russo Burke, the company’s Artistic Director choreographed this premiere, and she brings to that project in-depth experience with every level of ballet. And without the help of a fairy godmother!
To say Karen’s got game would be a gross understatement. For more than 10 years, Karen was a professional dancer with American Repertory Ballet. She has danced leading roles in ballets by dance icons Antony Tudor, Jose Limon, Gerald Arpino, John Butler and George Balanchine and current choreographers such as Septime Webre. Her artistic range took her to classic, full-length ballets with roles such as Juliet and Swanhilda.
Karen has taught at Dayton Ballet School since 1994. In 1997 she became coordinator of Dayton Ballet’s Outreach Program: DANCE POWER. For 12 years she directed the Dayton Ballet II Senior Company, where she choreographed many works for the pre-professional company that performed them in and around the Miami Valley.
As Ballet Mistress for the main company, Karen staged ballets and choreographed many repertory pieces for Dayton Ballet, including Into the Blue, a well-received tribute – more –in honor of the 100th Anniversary of Flight, the critically acclaimed A Streetcar Named Desire (to an original score), and the magnificent Canyons. In 2003 she co-choreographed Dayton Ballet’s The Nutcracker with husband and then Dayton Ballet General Manager Dermot Burke, using more than 75 area children. In 2005 American Repertory Ballet honored Karen for her commitment and excellence in the field of dance.
Look for colorful new costumes by resident costume designer Lowell Mathwich and a new Act I set by designer Ray Zupp. Ms. Russo Burke will conduct a post-performance Q&A along with three dancers after each performance.
Performances of Cinderella are Thursday, February 7 at 8 p.m.; Friday, February 8 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, February 9 at 3:00 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Sunday, February 10 at 3:00 pm. Tickets range from $20 to $70 and are available at Ticket Center Stage (937) 228-3630 or online. Senior, teacher and student discounts are available at box office.
Submitted by The Dayton Performing Arts Alliance
