Nearly one year after Ballet Jorgen’s Cinderella made its way into Prince Rupert, Lester Centre of the Arts general manager Crystal Lorette has marked the ballet company on the schedule for this month as well.
Ballet Jorgen Canada’s adaptation of Sleeping Beauty will hit the Rupert stage once again on Sunday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.
“This is their first tour with this major new piece for this group ... and it was coming into our area, so I had to take advantage of that and jump on the tour,” said the manager.
Ballet Jorgen Canada, formed in 1987, has nearly three decades of experience in working with original works and creating opportunities for Canadian choreographers and engagement outreach programs in the communities in which they perform.
Prince Rupert has been, and will be, no different.
A combined 15 students from the Dance Academy of Prince Rupert and Spectrum City Dance studios will have the opportunity to join the Sleeping Beauty Cast in the upcoming performance.
As well, Ballet Jorgen Canada will be offering master classes with professional dancers to the studios a few days beforehand.
“The community is really responsive to ballet, and it’s not just the dance community, but the community in general,” said Lorette.
“It’s an adaptation of Sleeping Beauty by Bengt Jorgen, the ballet’s founder and artistic director and it’s got his twist on it, basically. It’s been staged in Ontario, but not as a touring piece, because when you’re touring it’s a whole different ball game,” she said, adding that 28 performers will be in the cast, one of the largest groups in the ballet’s history of coming to Rupert. As well, the costuming and set design are big city-quality.
“It’s just incredible. Most of the costumes are hand-made. The set is not a scaled down version, they bring it all to the show. They definitely don’t skimp on the set, costuming or quality,” said Lorette.
For the subject matter, the general manager knows the infamous tale will draw audiences young and old alike.
“It’s a very famous story, it tells the enchanting story of Aurora and her prince, complete with magical qualities and dazzling choreography – something that the community has come to know with Ballet Jorgen. They’re stepping it up a notch and always constantly improving,” said Lorette.
Tickets can be purchased for Sleeping Beauty at Cook’s Jewellers and the Lester Centre or by calling 250-627-8888 to reserve over the phone.