San Diego, CA : The California Ballet Company will mount a full-length production of the 19th century classic, Sleeping Beauty, March 5 at 8:00 pm and March 6 at 1:00 & 5:30 pm. All performances will take place downtown at the San Diego Civic Theatre. Staged by company Director Maxine Mahon, after the original by Marius Petipa, the ballet is based on the timeless Charles Perrault fairytale.
The leading role of Princess Aurora will be performed by Guest Artist Polina Semionova, Principal dancer of the Deutsche Staatsoper Berlin Ballet. This will be Semionova's debut performance in the United States. Guest Artist David Makhateli, First Soloist with the Royal Ballet, will be dancing the role of Prince Desire. Guest Artist Evgeniy Lushkin, former American Ballet Theatre company member, will be dancing the role of Bluebird, a role made famous in the original by legendary dancer/teacher Enrico Cecchetti. California Ballet Company Principal Jennifer Curry will dance the role of Lilac Fairy while the wicked fairy, Carabosse, will be performed by Clarissa Palhegyi. Sets and costumes for this production are on loan from the Eugene Ballet in Oregon.
Sleeping Beauty begins with The Prologue, set in the palace of King Florestan XXIV, on the christening day of his daughter, Princess Aurora. Among the guests who have been invited to the celebration are the infant's six fairy godmothers, including the magical Lilac Fairy. After much fanfare, five of the fairies give their gifts to the child. Suddenly, there is much commotion, which disrupts the proceedings: the master of ceremonies, Cattalabutte, has forgotten to invite the fairy Carabosse. Furious at being left out, Carabosse places a curse on the infant Aurora, which decrees that on her 16th birthday, the Princess will prick her finger and die. The Lilac Fairy is the last guest to give a gift to the infant princess. While unable to cancel the curse, she changes it, and rather than die, Princess Aurora and the entire kingdom will fall into a deep sleep until a handsome prince kisses her, and breaks the spell.
Act I takes place at Aurora's sixteenth birthday celebration where the curse comes to pass. Act II is set a century later, as the Lilac Fairy helps the handsome young Prince Desire to find Princess Aurora and awaken her with a kiss. He instantly falls in love with her and proposes marriage. Act III, known as The Wedding, is a divertissement or series of dances with various fairytale characters gathering together to celebrate the marriage of Princess Aurora and Prince Desire. Characters include Puss ża1n Boots & the White Cat, Red Riding Hood & the Wolf, and Princess Florina & the Bluebird.
Adult ticket prices range from $35 to $75 and children 12 & under are $20. Discounts are available for students and groups of 15 or more. Girl Scout Troops may inquire about discounts available for our March 6 evening performance. Tickets may be ordered by calling the California Ballet Box Office at 858.560.6741, through the Civic Theatre at 858.570.1100 or online at www.californiaballet.org .
Source: California Ballet
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