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School of ballet performs “Cinderella”

By Taylor Stone

 

Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo. Sound familiar?

 

The Valdosta School of Ballet created a romantic and comical portrayal of the beloved childhood tale of Cinderella on Jan. 19 and 20at the Valdosta High School Performing Arts Center.

 

The classic fairytale was transformed into something new using nostalgic melodies and a variety of dancing talent, while the use of humor kept the mood light.

 

The Valdosta School of Ballet performers incorporated a wide range of ages to fill the roles of the mice, forest spirits, woodland fairies and, of course, Cinderella and Prince Charming.

 

Cinderella’s part was performed by Marie Harper and Prince Charming’s role was performed by Ramil Baganov, a guest artist and graduate from the Rudolf Nurev Academy in Ufa, Bashkortostan.

 

During the performance the audience was taken on a journey through the classic tale. Though the story was the same, it was told in a new and refreshing way through thoughtful choreography, comedy and a magical set.

 

The crowd was both charmed and amused by the baby mice that appeared to help Cinderella as well as the comedic performance of the ugly step sisters Anastasia, played by Eric Nielsen and Drusilla, played by H. Duke Guthrie– both professors at VSU.

 

Alexe Kalariotes, a junior communications major, enjoyed the performance and was impressed by the skill level of the dancers. She compared the talent to a performance of the Nutcracker.

 

“I thought it was really good,” she said. “I thought it was really advanced for kind of like high school/college because I saw the Nutcracker not too long ago at the Gwinnett Civics Center and it was at the same level as this, so it was pretty good.”

 

The audience’s favorite part was in Act III when Cinderella and Prince Charming departed on their way to happily ever after.

 

“I liked when the Prince and Cinderella did their big finale at the ball, that was really good,” Kalariotes said.

 

Jacque Wheeler, stage director, and Brandi Roberts, artistic director, were essential in implementing the production. Brooke Butler, assistant director, and who also played Cinderella’s Stepmother, was also a crucial figure in creating the production.

 

 

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