From left, Taylor Weeks and Susan Gravatt

Rockbridge Ballet Presents Holiday Concert, Sat., Nov. 21   Jessica Pyatt Martin wanted to open her first season as the Artistic Director of the Rockbridge Ballet with a bang, so she chose an explosive ballet: Sergei Prokofiev’s exciting, romantic, hilarious and charming Cinderella. Unlike most ballets, Cinderella moves between drama, romance and broad humor. As in his beloved Peter and the Wolf, Prokofiev’s score is complex, rich, unexpected and playful. Laugh-out-loud scenes (rare in most ballets) follow breathtakingly dramatic moments of darkness or joy. The ugly stepsisters supply the bulk of the buffoonery. Ms. Martin describes dancers Katy Brown and Conde Crittenden who perform those roles as outright “hams.” The chemistry between the two of them is electric. In the traditional “Shawl Dance” they wage a wacky war over what to wear to the ball—and end up flat on their sassy backsides with both legs flying in the air. Kids love it! Ms. Martin chose the ballet not only because it is both beautiful and “fun” but because it is accessible. “I feel children need to be introduced to ballet and art. What better way than by building on a story they already know and can relate to. Their love of the tale will help spring them into a love of art and dance.” She has abridged the ballet into a thirty minute version to make it appropriate for the very young as well as for sophisticated theater-goers. For all its fairy-tale wonder, its catchy tunes, its innocence and storybook romance, this ballet has dark elements which gives various numbers considerable character and color. The music is unpredictable with the verve that marks all of Prokofiev’s work. It underscores the sprightly charm of the four little fairies (an invention of Prokofiev to the traditional story), the athletic antics of the court jester (Caitlin Hepner), the stately fairy godmothers (Susan Gravatt/Maggie Friedman) but also the cruel machinations of the nasty stepmother (Tina McCann). It grabs audience attention and never lets it go. Like the music, the role of Cinderella (danced alternately by Jenna Beagan and Taylor Weeks) is nuanced, weaving sorrow, loneliness, beauty and hope into a personage of sensitivity and determination. Prokofiev wrote, "What I wanted to put over essentially in the music of Cinderella was the love of Cinderella and the Prince, the birth and development of this feeling, the obstacles in the way and the realization of the dream at last.” He reinvents the classic tale with surprising freshness and makes it about overcoming the odds. The highpoint of the ballet is the stunning scene in Act II when Cinderella enters the ballroom wafting her miles-long veil (typical of Prokofiev’s drama) across the long diagonal line of frustrated guests, blotting out all her competition. Majestic yet shy, she glides across the stage straight to the enraptured Prince, beginning a dance of come-hither and retreat. And love is born. The pas de deux (visual duet) which follows is an utterly satisfying climax to this fairy tale delight. The Prince is danced by Chatch Pregger, Vermont Ballet Master. Mr. Pregger has taught the art of partnering to Ballet seniors since 2007. Boasting a long line of credits and experience (including the Houston Ballet, the Washington Ballet, the Boston Ballet and Boston Ballet II), as a teacher and as a performer he is exceptionally accomplished. The grande finale summons two dozen dancers on stage. Jester, fairy godmother, subdued step sisters, the four fairies and a host of elegant guests create a resplendent circle around the radiant couple. It is a celebration of goodness triumphant. Five modern and jazz pieces and one ballet piece complete the concert. They vary in mood and style, demonstrating the athleticism, artistry and range of the Rockbridge Ballet dancers. The most exuberant of these numbers is “O…Saya”. From the sound track of Slum Dog Millionaire, this intense jazz piece showcases the dancers’ athleticism and artistry. It speaks of chaos in the streets as the dancers wield giant sticks to catapult, vault, kick and catch air, their legs flying in non-stop splits and leaps. Ms. Martin credits the dancers “Cirque de Soleil-ish” movements as her inspiration: “Their fearless use of the music and props shocked me. It was their astounding ingenuity with the props that gave birth to the choreography.” Katen Reynolds, one of the numerous Rockbridge Ballet alumni who have pursued a professional career in dance as a teacher, has choreographed two pieces for the concert. The first, “Got My Own Thing Now”, is to music by The Squirrel Nut Zippers. This lively, upbeat and FUN piece is danced by the senior company. For the junior company, Reynolds has choreographed a rhythmic modern piece, “Visual Possibilities”, to music by Massive Attack that combines both graceful and abrupt movements. At the other end of the emotional spectrum is the lovely “A Russian Winter Scene.” A suite of dances meant to depict the severity of a Russian winter, this work has been choreographed by Rockbridge Ballet founder Sherri Lamont to music from The Seasons by Alexander Glazunov. It will be danced by the brand new nine member Apprentice Company. The Rockbridge Ballet was established in 1984, and the first Junior Company was added a year later. Now, for the first time in its 25-year history, the Ballet has added yet another branch to its roster of members for dancers aged from 10-13. The purpose is to hone the skills of these young dancers and give them “a leg up” for a Ballet future. “Suite for a Russian Winter” is the debut performance of the fledgling Apprentice Company. The Rockbridge Ballet presents its Holiday Concert, Saturday, November 21st at 3:00 and 7:30 PM and Sunday, November 22nd, at 3:00 PM in the Washington & Lee Lenfest Center for the Performing Arts. Advance tickets are available at Books & Co. and at Sunday’s Child for $5 per student and $10 per adult ($5/$12 at the door). For information about discounted blocks of seats, call Nancy Leonhard at 540-348-5847. Katy Brown Taylor Weeks From left, Taylor Weeks and Susan Gravatt

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