SANTA ROSA, Calif.—World Ballet by Gorskaya-Hartwick Productions creates original ballet productions that are accessible to everyone, from seasoned ballet lovers to first-timers, especially a younger audience. “Cinderella” is the first production of the series, which includes “The Nutcracker” and “Swan Lake.” The company performs over 150 times in over 140 cities across the United States each season, making it the largest touring ballet project in the country.
Cinderella’s story has been told in books, plays, and ballets. World Ballet has put a new spin on this cherished folk tale with some comedic costumes, hand-painted sets, and traditional ballet. A traditional score by Sergei Prokofiev adds to the charm of romantic sets, and beautifully performed acting and dancing.
The curtain opened to great enthusiasm by the audience, filled with plenty of young attendees.
Cinderella is at home with the quarreling stepsisters, picking on Cinderella as usual. The stepsisters in quirky undergarments, with rollers in their hair, prance around the house in demonstrative ballet moves, while the angry stepmother scolds the father and doesn’t allow him to pay attention to his darling Cinderella.
The hand-painted set presents the rather dark home, showing Cinderella lonely and dancing with her broom. Time stops and the Fairy Godmother begins a joyful, elegant dance nearly floating onstage in her long, wispy gown. She begins to hand out invitations to the family for the prince’s ball and slyly passes one to Cinderella.
The stepsisters rush to grab gowns for the ball, fighting over each one. Enter the dance instructor in elegant ballet form. He attempts to teach the awkward stepsisters to dance. An impossible, humorous task, he wearily pulls Cinderella toward him, and she reluctantly begins to dance in perfect, elegant form much to the envy of her stepsisters.
Cinderella finds herself in a wonderful magical garden that has been created by the set and costume designer, Sergey Novikov. A dozen little helpers dance around the fairy preparing to transform Cinderella for the ball, including jeweled ballet slippers. She is sent off with caution by the Fairy Godmother to leave the ball before the clock strikes 12.
Before the ball begins, all of the prince’s friends whimsically dance to make fun of him. Cinderella arrives at the ballroom already full of dancers, many on point, dancing in celebration. The crowded ballroom stops and gasps at her beauty as she enters and curtsies; the prince reaches out his hand. Cinderella dances the night away with the prince, while the jealous stepsisters watch. As Cinderella flees at midnight, the prince finds one tiny, jeweled slipper.
The prince’s search for his dance partner involves heightened comedy with the over-dramatic bemoaning of the stepsisters with their too-big feet. Of course, it ends with Cinderella and the prince in a gleeful embrace; they marry and live happily ever after.
A Fabulous Production
With an international ensemble of 50 ballet dancers, choreographer Marina Kesler did a brilliant job showing comedic sequences. The subtle effects of humor and amusing performances displayed the combined talents of dance and acting by the ensemble. This was not slapstick comedy but was thoughtful and well-timed. There was also a nice balance of traditional ballet moves alongside the comedic elements.The stepmother’s scolding of Cinderella was made comical as she danced with some difficulty in her bathrobe and knickers, her hands moving in silly gestures shooing Cinderella out of the room. The stepsisters couldn’t be taken seriously either, with their deliberately awkward ballet moves as they hovered over Cinderella miming her chores.
The sets and lighting made a memorable contribution. The ballroom, suddenly lit with magical light, opened to an amazing set. Responding to an email, Producer Sasha Gorskaya said: “There is a soul in our scenery. It was made just like a painting, a very large painting.” While hand-painted sets are a 100-year-old tradition, most sets are now printed. World Ballet hand-paints all its sets, adding even more dimension to the storytelling.
“Cinderella” was thoroughly enjoyed by the entire audience, with a round of applause for the perfection of the dance, original costumes, sets, acting, and added whimsy.
I was transfixed by Cinderellaland throughout the entire performance, but truly the best part for me was sharing it with a large audience of children and their moms. The joy and amazement of kids seeing their first ballet was absolutely contagious and an experience I will never forget.
In fact, 9-year-old Charlotte told me: “I thought the stepsisters were funny and I might take ballet again now.” Ella, 8 years old, was surprised that the dancers did not talk, but said, ”I loved the dancing. My mom was a ballerina a l-o-n-g time ago.” Carol, 5, liked the lifts; and Sophie, 8, was bursting to tell me: “My favorite part was the mice!”
And a good time was had by all.
