Kingsport Ballet stages the full-length ballet “Don Quixote,” May 5 and 6 at 7 p.m. at the Wellmont Performing Arts Center. The production is under the direction of Leonid Flegmatov, artistic director of Kingsport Ballet.
The somewhat comic ballet features guest professionals from Philadelphia Ballet, which is under the direction of Angel Corella. Oksana Maslova, principal dancer with the company, has performed with Kingsport Ballet on various occasions, including the lead role in “Swan Lake.” Her partner Arian Molina Soca is also a principal with Philadelphia Ballet, and former principal dancer with the Cuban National Ballet. Both performers have toured internationally prior to joining the Philadelphia Ballet.
Flegmatov’s production marks the first time the Kingsport Ballet is staging “Don Quixote” since 2011, then under the direction of Valeria Sinyavskaya. The three-act ballet is known for its lively, contagious music. The story line is loosely based on episodes taken from the famous novel “Don Quixote de la Mancha” by Miguel de Cervantes. The ballet was originally choreographed by Marius Petipa.
“This ballet has presented a challenge we have embraced. The blending of the work of student dancers, children in the ballet school and that of guest professionals is always tricky, but with this ballet it is more so,” said Executive Director Bertina Dew. “There are many scenes in which the lead professionals dance, act and interact with the rest of the cast quite a bit. All of this must be learned and rehearsed extensively in advance of the arrival of the guest artists — which is often just days before opening day. Flegmatov said, “The dancers are doing an amazing job - they are showing their true dedication to this artform as they not only spend hours rehearsing daily, but they are also given homework. I am challenging them to push outside of their comfort zone.”
The ballet takes audiences from exciting dances on a street in old Spain, to a gypsy camp in the countryside, and to the depths of a dream, whereby the chivalrous and confused Don Quixote imagines beautiful dancing dryads and tiny cupids. The story follows Don Quixote in his quest for good versus evil and his search for the lovely woman of his dreams, Dulcinea.
Tickets may be purchased in advance through www.kingsportballet.org or by calling 423-378-3967. All seats are reserved. Special college student pricing and free educational materials for teachers and homeschool families. For high school student discounts when attending as part of an English or Spanish class, call 423-378-3967.
