Presenting one of the most popular ballets of all time, this month at City Center visionary director and acclaimed choreographer Matthew Bourne returns to New York with the completion of his Tchaikovsky ballet trilogy begun with NUTCRACKER! and continuing with his celebrated SWAN LAKE with the New York City bow of his newest theatrical venture, SLEEPING BEAUTY: A GOTHIC ROMANCE.
Once Upon A Dream Twenty years in the making, five-time Laurence Olivier Award recipient Matthew Bourne now presents the highly anticipated conclusion of his triptych of ballets based on the work of classical music master Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky that started in 1992 with his reworking of family-friendly THE NUTCRACKER into NUTCRACKER! and continued with his provocative and daring reworking of SWAN LAKE later that decade, with the fairy tale-based SLEEPING BEAUTY at vaunted NYC venue City Center. Telling the timeless tale of an enchanted princess doomed to sleep for a century, as well as her dashing prince and the dark magic that initially thwarts their path to finding true love together, SLEEPING BEAUTY is one of the most rapturous and romantic ballets in the canon and this delicate, contemporary and unexpected new production is a rhapsodic rendering on par with the prior two Tchaikovsky ballet masterworks created by Bourne and his New Directions company. Featuring prima ballerinas Hannah Vassallo and Ashley Shaw sharing the central role of Aurora, SLEEPING BEAUTY also boasts a sumptuous ensemble of Bourne's finest players, all having originally had the pleasure of presenting the ballet in its premiere UK production and around the world on tour. Indeed, Bourne's grand and outwardly gothic interpretation of the material provides a fresh air of mystique and creates an exciting new mise en scene for the musically powerful and dramatically compelling masterpiece.More information on the New York City premiere of Matthew Bourne's SLEEPING BEAUTY, running now through November 3 at City Center, is available at the official site here.
Enchanted So, now, let's take a closer look at this superb rendering of Tchaikovsky's SLEEPING BEAUTY and peruse some of Matthew Bourne's copious brilliance in adapting his other ballets over the decades. First, preview Matthew Bourne's SLEEPING BEAUTY at City Center, running now through November 3. Next, Matthew Bourne discusses his inspiration for SLEEPING BEAUTY and previews what we can expect from the new ballet. Following that, SLEEPING BEAUTY stars Hannah Vassallo and Chris Trenfield discuss the rehearsal process for the piece. For a further behind the scenes glimpse, view this video blog featuring dancers Kerry Biggin and Christopher Marney. Also, featured SLEEPING BEAUTY player Adam Maskell talks about his time with the ballet in this local TV interview from earlier this month. Now, enjoy this extended preview of SLEEPING BEAUTY from the recent international tour leading up to the NYC premiere. Additionally, sample this extensive conversation with Matthew Bourne from earlier this Fall all about SLEEPING BEAUTY, the Tchaikovsky trilogy and much more. Now, for comparison's sake and as an appetizer for the new Matthew Bourne vision, view this production of SLEEPING BEAUTY presented by famed dancer Rudolf Nureyev at La Scala. Go back to where it all began with the first of the three ballets making up Matthew Bourne's Tchaikovsky trio, NUTCRACKER! Plus, witness Matthew Bourne's internationally celebrated interpretation of Tchaikovsky's SWAN LAKE. Lastly, take a peek at Matthew Bourne's other recent fairy tale-based ballet with his radical reinterpretation of CINDERELLA.As a special bonus, here is a classic clip from Disney's adored adaptation of SLEEPING BEAUTY.
So, what exactly about Tchaikovsky's SLEEPING BEAUTY makes it such a continually rich and impressively vital source for entertainment and enjoyment more than a hundred and twenty years after its premiere in your most humble estimation? Furthermore, what precisely is it about Matthew Bourne's special kind of theatrical magic that makes it impossible not to fall under his persuasive spell? Without any doubt whatsoever, SLEEPING BEAUTY at City Center is something you definitely don't want to sleep through while you have your first, and perhaps only, chance to catch it live in New York - in its perfected production by its originating star, no less.
But, if there is any doubt whatsoever in your mind that you might miss it, set your alarm clock tonight just to make sure!Photo Credits: City Center
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