I love being a Ballet West season subscriber but one of the disadvantages is that you can't choose individual performances based on casting so I don't often get to see my favorite ballerina, Katlyn Addison, in a principal role. So I was absolutely thrilled when I discovered that she would be dancing the role of Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty last night! This ballet is so beautiful and I thoroughly enjoyed Addison's performance (and the entire production). In the Prologue the King (Zachary Brickson) and Queen (Michele Gifford) invite all of the Fairies of the land to the christening of their daughter, the Princess Aurora. The Fairies bestow gifts of Kindness, Joy, Beauty, and Temperament in dances featuring fun and energetic choreography. Carabosse (Emily Adams), angry that she wasn't invited to the christening, casts a spell on Aurora saying that she will prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die then she flies off the stage dramatically with her minions. However, the Lilac Fairy (Anisa Sinteral) has not yet bestowed her gift of Wisdom and changes the curse so Aurora will fall into a deep sleep instead and be awakened by the kiss of true love. In Act I Princess Aurora (Addison) is celebrating her sixteenth birthday and a group of peasants come together in dances of joy (I loved the use of large flower garlands and the instantly recognizable music by Tchaikovsky in these dances). Four princes vie for Aurora's hand in marriage in a dance with beautiful classical choreography (Addison is absolutely brilliant) and music featuring themes by a solo cello. An old crone offers her a gift but she turns out to be Carabosse in disguise and the gift is a spindle which pricks Aurora's finger. She vanishes from the stage (with some spectacular pyrotechnics) but the Lilac Fairy enchants the castle so Aurora and the entire court fall into a deep sleep. In Act II Prince Desire (Adrian Fry) is leading a hunting party but soon grows bored and is lured away by the Lilac Fairy. She shows him a vision of Princess Aurora and he becomes enthralled by her (in an incredibly romantic Pas de Deux). The Lilac Fairy takes him to the enchanted castle where he banishes Carabosse (with more special effects) and awakens Aurora with a kiss. Act III features the wedding of Prince Desire and Princess Aurora with dances of tribute from fairy tale characters (in spectacular costumes) culminating in a lovely Grand Pas de Deux. In addition to the amazing choreography, performances, music, and costumes, this ballet also features new and opulent sets by Alain Vaes (the woods used in Act II are especially atmospheric). I loved this ballet and I would definitely recommend getting a ticket (go here) for a spellbinding night out.
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