The Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet will premiere "Snow White" on March 10 and 11.
The CVYB, comprising 40 young dancers ages 8 through 18, continues to fulfill its mission of educating children in the arts by offering "original ballets performed by children for children."
This ballet was choreographed especially for the CVYB by Laszlo Berdo, renowned former principal dancer with the Boston Ballet. As accompaniment to his original choreography, William Wade, a world class musician, has created an original score for this fairy tale. A live orchestra, conducted by Wade, will accompany this production.
Watch this classic fairytale come to life as Snow White tries to escape the wicked queen's evil ways and befriends many animals, birds, and, of course seven dwarfs and a prince, along the way. Beautiful costumes and scenic backdrops add to the artistry of the dancers and create an unforgettable vision. Principal roles are danced by the CVYB members. Featured dancers in "Snow White" include Ashley Klinger, a senior at Walsh Jesuit High School, as the queen; Ingrid McGuckin, a home schooled sophomore, and Sarah McCarthy, a senior at Our Lady of the Elms, sharing the role of Snow White; and Morgan Stinnett, a former CVYB dancer and a freshman at Point Park in Pittsburgh, Pa., who makes a special guest appearance as the Prince.
In addition, there will be a very special performance of George Balanchine's "Scherzo à la Russe." Set to Igor Stravinsky's music, this short dance evokes the women's folk groups of Balanchine and Stravinsky's native Russia. Ashley Klinger and Katie Spagnoletti, a junior at Hudson High School, are the principal dancers leading the two groups of village maids in Scherzo. One Balanchine dancer described the ballet saying "The whole thing is a smile."
The program will also sparkle with the return of Karen Gabay's neo-classical work "Wand of Youth." "The Wand of Youth" is set to the music by Edward Elgar and is a charming reflection of youthful innocence, dreams and imagination. The dancers' energy expresses the varied tempo and mood of the music throughout the five pieces.
The Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet also will host a "Brunch with Snow White" for Girl Scouts at the Portage Country Club, 240 North Portage Path in Akron. Tickets are still available for the brunch on March 11, which is from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. The cost is $15 for adults and $13 for Girl Scouts; seating is limited. For brunch ticket information please call 330-996-1100.
Performances will take place at The Akron Civic Theatre, 182 S Main St. on March 10 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and March 11 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10, $15 or $20 and can be purchased by calling the Akron Civic Theatre ticket office at 330-253-2488.