FSPA Presents BALLET STORY CLASSICS, 3/26

Contemporary and classical ballet will be featured when Franklin School for the Performing Arts (FSPA) presents Ballet Story Classics on Saturday, March 26th at  3:00 p.m. at the Thomas D. Mercer auditorium, Horace Mann Middle School. More than 50 ballet students will showcase their skills and hard work in this repertoire program, featuring the shorter ballet Peter and the Wolf, as well as excerpts from Sleeping Beauty and Western Revelries.

Featuring the lyrical score by Prokofiev, Peter and the Wolf was choreographed by FSPA Ballet Mistress Cheryl Madeux Abbott. This ballet includes narration of the story during the presentation and is perfect for the very young fans of music and dance, since it introduces a dancing bird, duck and cat, as well as the two title characters.

Sleeping Beauty gives the audience excerpts from one of the major, well-known ballet productions. Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa, Madeux Abbott restaged the ballet for FSPA. While Peter and the Wolf demonstrates elements of contemporary ballet, Sleeping Beauty is firmly in the classical style. "I wanted to get something classical in the program for our older dancers," explains Madeux Abbott.

Directing Western Revelries fulfills a long-held hope of Madeux Abbott, who performed this ballet herself as a young dancer. Donna Bonasera, who instructed Madeux Abbott as a child and also guest taught at FSPA last summer, choregraphed the ballet. Western Revelries perfectly illustrates the talents of the FSPA dancers, many of whom also study musical theater, says Madeux Abbott. "You need a lot of personality for this ballet," notes Madeux Abbott, "so I thought it was a good fit." Aaron Copeland's lively score provides the accompaniment for Western Revelries, which includes dancing cowboys, chickadees and a turkey in the straw.

Presenting three distinct short ballets will nurture the versatility of her young dance students, says Madeux Abbott. "It's a diverse program and they will get the opportunity to try different facets of their technique." The program also requires discipline; with three short ballets in one evening, the students pursue rigorous preparation, training two days per week in addition to their regular schedule of ballet classes.

Tickets for Ballet Story Classics are available at the Spotlight Shop, 34 Main Street or by calling (508) 528-2887. The cost is $18 for adults, $15 for students/seniors, and $10 for children 6 and under.

Founded in 1985, FSPA brings all performing arts disciplines together under one roof, offering Music, Dance and Drama training to both students interested in serious study and those who enjoy the arts for recreation. Beginners are welcome, and classes are available for students who wish to begin or return to dance as teenagers.

For more information regarding any of FSPA's programs or to register, call the School at (508) 528-8668 or visit online at www.fspaonline.com.