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SA Met Ballet’s rendition of “Cinderella” enchanted devotees
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Most everyone is familiar with the story of Cinderella and has probably seen more than they care to count this story portrayed through Disney animation. However, to see this wonderful story unfold without words, but instead exclusively through the art of dance is quite a different and magical experience. The music for this ballet was composed by Sergei Prokofiev was originally performed in 1945 in Moscow by the Bolshoi Ballet.
This weekend’s performance of the ballet was almost exclusively performed by young artists, who by audition, are selected to represent the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet Company under the direction of Susan and Karin Connally. The leading roles were portrayed by guest artists, Melody Herrera as Cinderella and Ian Casady as Prince Charming; both are principals with the Houston Ballet.
In Act I, one immediately gets the idea of just how downtrodden poor Cinderella is by her two step-sisters as they ready themselves in preparation to attend the Prince’s ball that evening. The step-sisters portrayed by Hannah Barham and Sarah Villarreal, did a wonderful job of interpreting the roles and convincingly impelled the audience to “hate” them for their mistreatment of Cinderella.
As the story continues in this first Act and Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother appears to provide her the opportunity to go to the ball, the sheer talent of the young artists that make up this company begins to unfold before one’s eyes. The Connally’s are well-known to not only produce and train budding talent, but also create beautiful costuming and choreography to accompany their dancers. This particular production was principally choreographed by Phillip Broomhead with Susan Connally providing additional choreography.
Probably the most memorable scene in this act are the many numbers made up of the Fairy Godmother (Mary Cook/Victoria Villarreal) accompanied by the four seasons: Spring (Isabella Houston), Summer (Adele Martin), Autumn (Emmy Burnett), and Winter (Sydney Horton) further accompanied by numerous other dancers portraying Stars, Ladies In Waiting, Dragonflies, Bats, Butterflies, Mice, Bunnies, Pages, Clock Numbers, and Horses. To behold so much young talent perform with so much grace, artistry and precision makes one a believer in all those many hours invested by each dancer individually and the ballet company collectively to make such a performance possible and enjoyable.
Act II is what all in attendance are awaiting: the arrival of Cinderella to the ball all made up in her beautiful gown (in this case a tutu). On her grand entrance, she descends each step of the stairway on en pointe so elegantly and seemingly effortless. Herrera and Casady capture one’s heart as they so nimbly and artistically execute their romantic pas de deux; the two have an on-stage chemistry that draws in the observer. One must not forget to mention the energy and skill that dancer Thaddeus Morris demonstrated in this act as the court jester announcing the ball guests and ultimately Cinderella.
Finally, the ballet culminates into a buffet of dance with the entire company of dancers celebrating in Act III the union of Prince Charming and Cinderella after he finds that the slipper left behind is hers.
A showcase of young, burgeoning talent and guest professional artists combined with the consistent and professional mentoring of the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet Staff, Cinderella proved to be another success for this ballet company.
The very next project scheduled for the S.A. Met is Tchaikovsky’s world-famous ballet, The Nutcracker, beginning with four performances the weekend after Thanksgiving with four more opportunities to see it the following weekend. For more information please visit Arts San Antonio’s website at http://www.artssanantonio.com/Performances/Index.asp?EventID=14783.
To find additional events for the San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet and information on how to support their mission, please visit them on-line at http://www.sametballet.org/.
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