PORTLAND — Maine State Ballet will present “ Swan Lake” at 2 p.m. March 31 and April 1 at Merrill Auditorium.
“The show is a rare opportunity for Maine residents to see a large-scale version of Tchaikovsky’s first ballet, which premiered in Russia 135 years ago,” a Maine State Ballet release states.
“The presentation showcases the talents of 85 advanced students and professional dancers of the Maine State Ballet Company,” the release states. “ The sets and costumes, including a stunning 40-foot-tall backdrop and 21 white swan tutus, are the work of designer Gail Csoboth. It is the largest production staged by a ballet company in Maine,” according to Maine State Ballet director Linda MacArthur Miele.
“‘Swan Lake’ is really the pinnacle of what you want to accomplish as a company,” Miele said in the release.
For this spring’s show, Miele incorporated much of the traditional choreography that has been passed down through generations of dancers, plus some of her own original choreography.
“ Everybody who has an interest in ballet should be able to see ‘ Swan Lake,’” Miele said. “We’re proud to be able to present this ballet right here in Maine, in the way it was meant to be seen.”
“Swan Lake” tells the story of Princess Odette ( Janet Davis), who has been transformed into a swan by the sorcerer von Rothbart (Nathaniel Dombek).
Prince Siegfried ( Janet’s real life husband, Glenn Davis) falls in love with Odette, in a moment by the lake when she has temporarily regained her human form. A battle ensues between the prince and evil magician.
While many variations of “Swan Lake” end in tragedy, Miele chooses to model a Russian version of the ballet that has a “ happily ever after” ending. The show is appropriate for all ages and level of interest in dance, Miele said.
The show will be presented in two acts, with one intermission and a running time of approximately two hours.
Tickets are on sale through Porttix at 842-0800, online at www.porttix.com, or at the Merrill Auditorium box office. Tickets prices range from $20 to $40, and discounts are available for groups, seniors and children.
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