Original ballet opens Dec. 15
ROBBINSVILLE — Two local dancers will be performing in DanceVision’s original ballet, “The Snow Queen,” which opens for three shows at The College of New Jersey on Dec. 15.
”The Snow Queen,” choreographed by Artistic Director Risa Kaplowitz, is a fresh holiday ballet that premiered to sold-out audiences last year at TCNJ’s Kendall Theater.
Robbinsville residents and DanceVision Performance Company members Nicole DeMentri, 16, and Emily Pollack, 9, have been cast in the ballet.
Nicole, a junior at Robbinsville High School, dances the parts of Ice Maiden, Snow Queen Attendant, Flower, and Robber Girl. Emily, a third-grader at Sharon Elementary School, dances the roles of Snow Bee and Girl in Waiting.
”The Snow Queen” tells the tale of a young girl’s courageous journey to rescue her beloved from the beautiful, yet evil Snow Queen. Based on the classic Hans Christian Andersen story, the ballet is performed to an original score that includes music by Rimsky-Korsakov and Edvard Grieg.
In addition to the enchanting music and exciting choreography, “The Snow Queen” features projection artwork as its backdrop. Through this engaging technique, the audience journeys with the characters as they dance from the lively Scandinavian village square to the Snow Queen’s frigid ice castle.
”The Snow Queen” provides a fresh take on a classic tale; it is riveting and intricate in its attempt to bring literature to life through dance.
”The story is magical and compelling,” says Ms. Kaplowitz. “It has all the components of a great tale: adventure, humor, joy, and heart. The cast of characters is so diverse and fun; it includes robbers, a sorceress, doves, a raven, ice maidens, snow bees, a prince and princess, and even a devil.”
Adults and children alike will enjoy the story, and the characters that guide the audience through it, she said.
”The Snow Queen” will be performed at 7 p.m., Saturday Dec. 15, and at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16 at Kendall Theater on the TCNJ campus. Tickets start at $20 and are on sale now at www.dancevisionnj.org or by phone 609-771-2775. Group discounts are available for organizations as well as student/senior discounts.
For more information, email [email protected].