Wednesday, March 8, 2000
Wednesday, March 8, 2000 |
| Georgia
Youth Ballet brings Russian folk tale to the stage By MICHAEL
BOYLAN
The Georgia Youth Ballet will present two exciting new pieces this weekend at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center. The ballets were choreographed by internationally renowned dancers Elie Lazar (“Untitled”) and Vladmir Issaev (“Chipollino”) and have provided the dancers of the Georgia Youth Ballet with an enriching opportunity. Lazar began dancing with the Israel National Ballet at the age of 17 and has danced with the Israel National Opera as well as the Haifa Ballet. In 1986, Lazar joined the New Jersey Ballet and is currently a faculty member at the School of the Joffrey Ballet in New York. His piece “Untitled” features music by Scott Killian and will feature 15 dancers from the Georgia Youth Ballet Company. “Chipollino,” which Issaev choreographed to music by A. Katchaturian, is based on a Russian folk tale about vegetables. Chipollino is the last name of a popular family of onions that live in a very happy village with many other vegetables. All is well in the village until the Chief of Police Tomato arrives to tell the villagers of a new law, stating that all villagers must pay for sunlight, rain and wind. The villagers are upset and young Chipollino steps on the chief's foot as a sign of protest and runs away. When the police cannot find him, they take his father to jail. The chief also sees that Mother Pumpkin is building her new house on Countess Cherry's land and he orders the police to destroy the house. Chipollino hears the news and decides to rescue his father and put a stop to the evil police. At Countess Cherry's castle, Chipollino and Ms. Carrot befriend the sad princess on their way to rescuing Chipollino's father. Through music and dance, “Chipollino” not only tells the story of a fanciful folk tale, but also expresses a much deeper political statement. “Chipollino” is presented in two acts and is dedicated to the group's graduating seniors: Randi Loudermilk, Starr's Mill; David Gant, Mt. Zion High School, and Madge Turner, home school. The show will be presented at 7:30 p.m Saturday, March 11 and at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 12 at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center. Admission is $5 and be purchased at the door or by calling 770-716-9858.
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