BWW Reviews: BalletMet's CINDERELLA Dances Into the World of Fairytales

From the moment the house lights dim and the curtain rises, audiences of BalletMet's "Cinderella" are transported to an imaginative world of fairytales--a place where princes and princesses reside, fairy godmothers have magical powers, and woodland creatures and nymphs dance and play.

Drawing its plot from a traditional European folktale--and from the many subsequent adaptations of the same name--BalletMet stays true to the classic elements of the "Cinderella" story, but also incorporates its own interpretations and ideas to create a production full of whimsy and elegance.

Choreographed by BalletMet artistic director Edwaard Liang, "Cinderella" is a breathtaking production that accurately portrays the imagined world many audience members probably envisioned when hearing this story for the first time as a child.

Performing in the role of Cinderella on March 20--the night of this production's world premiere--was award-winning BalletMet dancer Adrienne Benz. Dancing the role of the title character, Benz graced the stage with a performance that created an unbreakable emotional bond between artist and audience.

Yet it was in the sequences that paired Cinderella with her prince, performed by Andres Estevez, that the magic of the ballet truly came to life. From the majesty of their first dance shared in the mirrored hall of the royal court to the intimacy of the couple's final duet, these scenes were beautifully choreographed and entrancing.

At almost two and a half hours, including two intermissions, the show toes the line of being slightly too long, and I saw many tired children, clad in pastel-colored lace dresses, drift off to their own imaginative world of sleep before the show's finale. However, with so many intricate details to pay attention to--from the glittering diamond accents on Cinderella's slippers to the often-humorous antics of her stepsisters (performed by Courtney Muscroft and Emily Gotschall)--there is a lot to admire.

"Cinderella" is a show that will undoubtedly inspire audience members of all ages to reinvigorate their imaginations and believe in a world of fairytales.

BalletMet's "Cinderella" is set to be performed at the Capitol Theatre in the Vern Riffe Center from March 20 to March 29. Ticket information can be found on the BalletMet website.

The Vern Riffe Center is located at 77 S. High St.

Photo Credit: Jennifer Zmuda

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