Gorskaya-Hartwick Productions proudly presents the U.S. National Tour of World Ballet Series’ Cinderella. The 130- city tour of Cinderella brings the magic of this family-friendly fairy tale to audiences in cities big and small across the country.
A one time only performance will take place on: Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Young Auditorium/University of Wisconsin Whitewater. Tickets are available at: https://www.uww.edu/uc/services/ticket-services/young-auditorium
One of the oldest and most beloved folktales, the story of Cinderella dates to sometime between 7 BC and AD 23 with the Greek tale of Rhodopis. Since then, there have been over 1,500 versions of it including the most widely known by French author Charles Perrault that most ballet productions are derived from. Set to a passionate score by composer Sergei Prokofiev, the ballet tells of young Cinderella who is a victim of cruel circumstance but whose unwavering kindness is rewarded with her dreams of a better life coming true.
World Ballet Series’ classically styled production of Cinderella, with original choreography by Estonia’s Marina Kesler is designed for a modern viewer. It is overflows with humor, charm, and adroit dancing by a multinational cast of 40 top-flight professional dancers from ten countries including Italy, France, Poland, Japan, Belarus, and the United Kingdom. It also features over 150 radiant costumes that were hand-sewn in Ukraine and hand-crafted and richly detailed stage sets.
Says Kesler of the ballet, “The choreographic language is classical using the most complex elements of Vaganova ballet technique. The idea was to evoke a cinematic feeling in the viewer where every gesture and scene is made clear.”
Dancing the lead role of Cinderella (in select cities) is World Ballet Series principal dancer Ekaterina Malkovich. The former Ural Opera Ballet star and two-time nominee for the coveted Golden Mask Award says of the role: “If we talk about my own character and worldview, I think some features are similar to my approach to portraying Cinderella. Despite her circumstances, she looks at the world with kindness and never allows anger or grief to get the better of her.”
A company member since 2019, Malkovich says touring life with World Ballet Series is like being with a big family. “We spend almost all day, every day together. I like to travel, see new cities, and meet interesting people. The people in America are very friendly,” she says.
For the ballet’s other lead role of Prince Charming, Kesler wanted the character to be more romantic, mischievous, and a little naive. “He is a dreamer who enjoys stargazing rather than performing court duties,” says Kesler. “This idea is modern in terms of how generations differ. Each new generation moves towards freedom of expression differently and are more open in the manifestation of love.”
Performing as Prince Charming will be World Ballet Series principal dancer Leonardo Celegato. The Italian dancer will alternate in the role with Honored Artist of Belarus, Konstantin Geronik, who will dance as the Prince in select cities. Celegato, who is also a demi-soloist with Estonian National Ballet, says of his portrayal of the Prince, “My Cinderella Prince is young, energetic, and fresh. He has so much love to give and is looking for the right person to give it to.”
The production will also showcase World Ballet Series’ new generation of dancers, including critics’ favorite Angelina Zgurskaya in the role of Cinderella’s stepmother along with Ekaterina Lukianova and Ayzhamal Abdrakhmanova dancing as her hilarious stepsisters.
Based in Los Angeles, World Ballet Series tour co-producers Sasha Gorskaya and Gulya Hartwick say of Cinderella, “We always aim to exceed expectations. We create each production’s choreography, scenic design, and cast our dancers with the goal of bringing the highest quality to the stage. We want that for our audiences across the country, for many of whom it might be the first time seeing a ballet like Cinderella. We want their experience to be a memorable one full of the indescribable beauty that is ballet.”
ABOUT THE COMPANY
World Ballet Series brings the world’s beloved ballets to theatrical stages across the United States. In cities big and small the series presents the breathtaking beauty of ballet to audiences, whether first time ballet goers or balletomanes. The company attracts many international artists and is comprised of renowned professional dancers representing over ten countries who are united by a passion for entertaining audiences and enriching classical ballet traditions through brilliant, critically-acclaimed new productions of timeless ballet classics.
Young Auditorium serves as a presenting organization for the performing arts and as an educational and cultural center enriching the lives of regional communities. Tickets for any show can be purchased online, by calling the Box Office at (262) 472-2222, or in person. Ticket Services is located in the atrium of Greenhill Center of the Arts, 950 West Main Street, Whitewater, and they are open Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There are two parking stalls in lot 1 that are for ticket purchasing. The Young Auditorium is adjacent to this building at 930 West Main Street, Whitewater, WI 53190, and parking is always free during your event. To learn more, visit www.YoungAuditorium.com.
