Ballet Preljocaj Performs Snow White
Full disclosure: I am not the dance lady at Studio Fuse. My brief flirtation with the dancy arts ended in the mid-90s, while Jenn continues to work tirelessly on her grand battements, both taking and teaching classes. Although I’ve long since traded in my tap shoes for roller skates, I appreciate athleticism, striking visuals and a good story. Fortunately for me (and you!), starting Friday, March 23, Ballet Preljocaj’s Snow White will be providing all three.
Drawing inspiration from the darker Brothers Grimm tale rather than the more modern, animated feature we’ve all come to know, Ballet Preljocaj’s Snow White can’t really fall into the typical “fairytale ballet” category of Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake or The Nutcracker. This more adult version of the story features costume design by Jean Paul Gautilier. If you are unfamiliar with the designer, I have three words for you: Madonna cone bra. The set design is minimalist but functional and surfaces are incorporated into the choreography, including a mine wall that spans the height of the proscenium. Rappelling equipment is involved and it is amazing. And at all times, even while suspended parallel to the stage, the dancers seem to always be in fluid, energetic motion. The endurance and control it must require to preform even one act of this ballet is pretty mind-bending.
Ballet Preljocaj, led by choreographer and artistic director Angelin Preljocaj performs the 2008 ballet at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center March 23–25. @jes_fuse
Céline Galli and Lorena O’Neill; ©JC Carbonne
Céline Galli and Lorena O’Neill; ©JC Carbonne
Fabrizio Clemente and Virginie Caussin; ©JC Carbonne
Fabrizio Clemente and Virginie Caussin; ©JC Carbonne
Behind the scenes of Snow White
Behind the scenes of the development of Snow White
Behind the scenes of the development of Snow White
“I wanted to do something completely different, write something very concrete and offer something magical…”
–Angelin Preljocaj, (excerpted from an interview with Agnès Freschel)
“I wanted to do something completely different, write something very concrete and offer something magical and enchanted…because, like everyone else, I love stories.”
–Angelin Preljocaj, (excerpted from an interview with Agnès Freschel, March 2008)
“I wanted to do something completely different, write something very concrete and offer something magical and enchanted…because, like everyone else, I love stories.”
–Angelin Preljocaj, (excerpted from an interview with Agnès Freschel, March 2008)
Tags: ballet client dance The Music Center