Word: cinderella
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...would expect the somewhat one-dimensional nature of the fairy tale, with its characteristic enchantment and romance, to translate predictably into the traditional ballet form. The Boston Ballet's production of Cinderella, however, offers a surprising and successful mix of fable, fantasy and farce. Ben Stevenson's unique choreography combined with David Walker's exquisite sets and costumes and the energetically unpredictable Prokofiev score create new artistic possibilities for this magical storybook tale...
Everyone knows the story of Cinderella--how the good and beautiful Cinderella, a slave to her evil and ugly stepsisters, is unexpectedly visited by a transcendent fairy godmother who transforms her rags into a beautiful ball gown, a pumpkin into a carriage and mice into horses. With these new alterations, Cinderella eagerly joins the rest of the elite of the kingdom at the royal ball where she wins the affections of Prince Charming. The clock strikes midnight, her carriage turns back into a pumpkin, Cinderella dramatically runs out of the palace leaving her petite glass slipper behind. No romance would...
...unexpected element of hilarity to romance and of mockery to ballet's conservatism. While offering comic relief, the cross-gender casting also fits into the old English tradition of en travestie, linking theater to dance. Finally, stylistically, the stage presence of two giant stepsisters dwarf the waif-like Cinderella, played by Jennifer Gelfand, enhancing the sense of her powerlessness. Between the cross-gender roles and cross-dressing, the many onstage garment changes, and the court jester character reminiscent of Shakespeare's "fools" and "players," Harvard's own Professor Marjorie Garber would live and die for this performance...
...dancers work on a communal level, each contributing to the whole of the performance, rather than based on a traditional hierarchy. Cinderella, Prince Charming, and the fairy godmother in no way dominate the performance. If any characters stand out, it is the stepsisters and that is for reasons beyond the level of dance. In fact, the fairy godmother's role seems disappointing and anticlimactic. She enters as a mysteriously draped witch-like figure, yet when she throws off her cape, her tiny insect-like wings and simplistic dance movements, which at best included numerous bourres pointe across the stage, brought...
...Godmother calls on her numerous helpers which include four male dragonflies and four fairies, one for each season, to transform Cinderella. The added scene involving beautiful set changes and an increased musical pace creates a sense of the fantastic in the overlap between the real and the sublime. The angular movements of the dragonflies add a modern touch to this scene and the spectacular performances by the four season fairies carry the first...