"Sleeping Beauty," performed by the Manassas Ballet Theatre, opened last night at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. Its run continues tonight at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 3:00 pm.
The staging, by Vadim Slatvitskiy, appeals to young and old alike because of the colorful costumes and backdrops which show excellent use of depth perception, color, and lighting. This is an interpretation the entire family will enjoy – accessible, entertaining, and professional.
The ballet begins with the Prologue -- The Christening of baby Aurora: six good fairies dance both together and in unison as they bestow their blessings on the newborn. The Lilac Fairy, danced by Sara Gaydash, puts on perhaps the strongest performance as she is in practically every scene and dances numerous solos as well as accompanies other roles. Those familiar with the story will remember that it is her role to counteract the spell Carabosse, danced by Margaret Hannah, casts on Aurora. Carabosse herself entrances the audience with her graceful dance moves convincing us of her malice through subtle choreography, spot-on costuming, and menacing moves accompanied by her ethereal goblin entourage which is made all the better via a mix of tall and short dancers.
In Act I – The Spell – we meet 16-year-old Aurora – danced by the lithe Julianne Gurgul, in her second season with the Manassas Ballet Theatre. Gurgul’s interpretation along with Marius Petipa’s and Vadim Slatvitskiy’s choreography makes for an energetic, elegant Aurora who dances with several suitors before meeting her doom when Carabosse – disguised as one of many admirers in the crowd attending the princess’s birthday party – hands Aurora a bouquet of roses in which the cursed needle is hidden. Gurgul’s most moving scene is her spell sequence in which she flutters around to each of the primary guests showing them the single pinprick which will cast a pall over all of them. She is perfectly matched to her role, showing both great strength and fragility when needed.
The core troop is supplemented by student dancers of all ages, ranging from pre-school to high school. Even the youngest girls show professional stage presence, their timing and movements in keeping with the professional company's.
One interesting decision made by the troop is to insert an extra intermission and a pause between scenes, enabling the exquisite backdrops – created by Tim Grant – to be changed out and made specific to the action of the ballet. As an added bonus, these extra breaks are family friendly, allowing younger audience members an opportunity to stretch their legs or take a walk out to the lobby.
The final backdrop, set in place for The Awakening, stuns the audience as the use of lighting and the projection of vine shadows indicate the 100 years that have passed encompassing the castle in thickets.
The dancers’ skill, passion, and energy keep pace with the demands of Tchaikovsky’s challenging score played by the Manassas Ballet Theatre Orchestra who alone could entertain the audience with their technically expert rendition of this ballet’s music. Directed by Christopher Hite, the orchestra plays a prelude before the curtains rise for each act – another smart decision because the ballet is enhanced by featuring the musicians. Because of cost, many professional ballets are forced to dance to recordings; the live performance of Manassas Ballet Orchestra gives authenticity to the story and energy to the dancers with whom they are in step.
"Sleeping Beauty" is especially appropriate for families, and the children – who know the fairy tale -- enjoyed the show immensely. Prince William County is indeed fortunate to have both the Hylton Performing Arts Center and professional companies such as the Manassas Ballet Theatre in our midst. Tickets start at $35 and are available on the website and in person at the box office, open today from 10am-6pm. (Check Manassas Ballet Theatre’s website for available discounts.)
With two shows remaining, this is a must-see performance that families will remember long after the last pirouette.
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