Ballet presents 'Cinderella'–and humor, too
By Marianne L. Hamilton | Bay Area News Group
Ballet patrons lucky enough to score tickets to a new version of Cinderella being staged next week will find something decidedly different on the stage: Along with a handsome prince, a beautiful princess, glittering costumes and graceful dancers from Los Gatos Ballet, the production–which debuts at West Valley Community College Theater on May 25–will be heavily laced with humor.
Laughs? During a ballet? Most definitely, says Los Gatos Ballet founder and artistic director Marcie Ryken, who choreographed the new interpretation of the dance classic. First staged in 1948 by the Bolshoi Ballet in Russia, Cinderella traditionally has seen the type of presentation that draws kudos from dance aficionados, while at times intimidating those less schooled in the genre.
"That's exactly what makes this Cinderella such a fun ballet to present," Ryken says. "Everyone knows the story; you don't have to go to ballet classes to understand it. It has a clear storyline, it's funny and it engages the whole crowd, no matter who you are."
The humor Ryken refers to comes courtesy of Cinderella's interactions with her two wicked stepsisters and equally unfriendly stepparents.
"In some professional companies they'll use two men to play the stepsisters, which is very Shakespearean," Ryken laughs. "I wanted to give our girls the chance to play the characters, and use humor in how they interact with each other. There's almost a competition among them as to who's funnier; they're really pushing themselves to see which version of the production is most exciting."
Two high school students are sharing the role of Cin-derella, upping the very friendly ante. Los Gatos High School senior Madeleine Webber and Margot Aknin, a senior at Valley Christian, will each dance the lead in two performances as the scullery girl who lives happily ever after with her prince.
After graduation Webber will attend Westmont College in Santa Barbara, and will continue dancing with the State Street Ballet. San Jose native Aknin will enter the Pittsburg Ballet Theater as a trainee, and aims for a professional career in dance.
With 134 dancers from Los Gatos Ballet in the production–from the tiniest beginners to accomplished ballerinas–Cinderella promises to be a visual feast. "Each level of the school has different characters and actors," Ryken says. "You'll see the youngest levels, followed by the next, and the next and the next. So you can really see the progression in their skills as the students come out on the stage."
The dancers' sparkling, custom-made costumes reinforce the fairy tale feel. All were created by designer/parent volunteer Christine Ryvola, who is descended from a long line of professional costume designers.
No retelling of Cinderella would be complete without a glass pumpkin, and Los Gatos Ballet's version is no exception: In the lobby of the West Valley theater, a special glass pumpkin collection by Walton Art Glass will be on display.
All of the pumpkins are crafted by San Jose firefighter Mike Walton and his wife Stephanie, who plan to donate all proceeds from the pumpkin sales to Los Gatos Ballet. "Mike's also promised to attempt to make a glass slipper to add to the display," Ryken says.
Along with the pumpkins, patrons will have the chance to purchase original artwork created by Los Gatos Ballet students. Says Ryken, "Our junior guild will have one-of-a-kind 'toe-shoe art' on sale. Our students are so creative: they've decorated shoes they're no longer using, and basically turned them into works of art."
A special outreach performance of Cinderella will be held on Thursday evening, May 24, and Friday morning, May 25, for all area Girl Scouts. In addition to watching a performance of the ballet, the troops will have the chance to go backstage and see the inner workings of the theater and chat with the staff and dancers. Each Scout also will receive a Cinderella patch for her uniform.
"We're very happy that the word is getting out to the community; the Friday morning show is already sold out," Ryken says. "We want to continue educating kids about dance and keep them excited about it, and then hopefully they'll continue their patronage of ballet and the arts."
The Los Gatos Ballet production of Cinderella will be staged for at the West Valley Community College Theater, 14000 Fruitvale Ave. in Saratoga, on May 25 and 26. Tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/230272. For more information, visit www.losgatosballet.org or call 408.399.7577.
Marianne L. Hamilton