August 9, 2007

Ballet San Jose announces 2007-08 children’s series

Ballet San Jose has announced a series of short ballet programs designed especially for children as young as 3 years old. This is the fifth year the company has produced a children’s ballet series.

The programs run between 60 and 75 minutes each with no intermissions to accommodate the attention spans of young audiences. The professional company of Ballet San Jose dancers will perform two of this year’s programs, “Swan Lake” and the “Firebird.” Students from the professional division of the Ballet San Jose School will perform a third program, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

Subscriptions are available now. Single tickets will go on sale in February.

“Swan Lake” is performed to one of Tchaikovsky’s greatest scores. This romantic tale follows Prince Siegfried as he rescues his beloved Princess Odette from the wicked Baron Von Rothbart who has cast a spell on the young beauty and turned her into his Queen of the Swans. This is the quintessential ballet of everlasting love conquering evil.

Choreography and scenario are by Dennis Nahat, based on the original ballet of 1895 by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. David Guthrie did the scenery and costumes and Kenneth Keith does lighting. It will be performed Saturday, Feb. 16 at 1:30 p.m. at the

San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd., at the corner of Park Avenue in downtown San Jose.

“The Firebird” is danced to a groundbreaking score by Igor Stravinsky. This Russian fairy tale tells of a prince who captures the mysterious Firebird. To gain her release, the Firebird gives the prince a feather, with the promise of her magic intercession if he should ever need it. Little does he realize how soon he will have to call on her, and how many people she will be asked to save from the monstrous ruler of the en-chanted forest, The Immortal Kastchei.

Dennis Nahat did the choreography while Ian Falconer created the scenery and costumes and Kenneth Keith does the lighting. The performance is scheduled for Saturday, May 3 also at 1:30 p.m. at the Center for Performing Arts.

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” is one of the favorite fairy tales of all times. It comes to life on the ballet stage in this world premiere program directed, choreographed and designed by Lise la Cour, with music composed by Bent Fabricius-Bjerre. It’s all here--the beautiful princess, the evil queen and her talking mirror, the seven dwarfs who take Snow White into their home, the poisoned apple and the prince who saves her.

The ballet will be performed Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 at 1:30, 3:30 and 5:30 p.m. at the Ballet San Jose studios, 40 North First Street in downtown San Jose

Special subscription add-on
Dennis Nahat’s “The Nutcracker” has become a festive yearly tradition for thousands of families and audiences throughout the Bay Area. This treasured holiday classic includes stunning lobby decorations, a holiday boutique, strolling carolers, and characters from the show meeting and greeting guests before every performance.

A special subscription add-on, the ballet is choreographed by Dennis Nahat to Tchaikovsky’s music with David Guthrie doing scenery and costumes and Kenneth Keith doing the lighting. It will be offered Sunday, Dec. 9 and Friday, Dec. 21, both at 1:30 p.m. at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.

The “Nutcracker” is available as an add-on to the regular three-show series of ballets. Single tickets for “The Nutcracker” are now on sale for $30 to $82. Single tickets to all other children’s matinee performances will go on sale in late February. Single tickets will be priced at $16 to $47 for “Swan Lake” and “The Firebird.” Seating is limited for “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” which will be priced at $35 to $45. Subscriptions for the three-show series range from $45 to $135.

Orders may be placed by calling the ballet box office at (408) 288-2800 or ordering online at www.balletsanjose.org.

If you wish to receive a children’s series subscription brochure, call the ballet administration offices at (408) 288-2820 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.