North Carolina Dance Theatre presents

Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Cinderella

Dance Theatre’s first full-length performance in the new Knight Theater

March 4-7 & 11-14, 2010 

Charlotte, N.C. – Cinderella finds her Prince in the new Knight Theater, March 4-7 and 11-14, 2010. One of North Carolina Dance Theatre’s signature ballets, Cinderella is the first full-length production in

Dance Theatre’s new performance home, the Knight Theater.

The colorful and classic fairytale choreographed by North Carolina Dance Theatre President and Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux premiered in 2001 and was last performed for Charlotte audiences in 2006.

Set to Sergei Prokofiev’s score, Bonnefoux’s colorful and classic Cinderella follows the classic story of a young girl who goes from being a lonely servant to a beautiful princess. Cinderella, a three act ballet, whisks audiences to the fairytale settings of a sumptuous ball at the King’s palace, a lush garden and a quaint cottage. Costumes are by world-renowned designer A. Christina Giannini and the elaborate sets are by famous New York City Ballet set designer Alain Vaes, “Cinderella is our most beautiful production. The sets and costumes are wonderful,” said Bonnefoux.

The cast of over 60 dancers is led by three Company dancers – Traci Gilchrest, Rebecca Carmazzi and Alessandra Ball – sharing the role of Cinderella. Students from North Carolina Dance Theatre School of Dance perform as garden attendants and woodland animals, adding to the charm of the ballet.

Full of magic, humor and romance, Cinderella is a ballet to be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. Tickets start at $20 and may be purchased at 704.372.1000, ncdance.org and the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Box Office.

About the Knight Theater

In January 2010 the 1,200-seat Knight Theater became North Carolina Dance Theatre’s primary performance venue for all productions, except Nutcracker, which remains in the Belk Theater. The Knight Theater was designed specifically with NC Dance Theatre in mind. “With the Knight Theater, the feeling is that the audience can really recognize and see each individual dancer,” said Bonnefoux. “It is much closer up than the Belk, and I think that’s really going to help people to identify with our company.”

Cinderella Details  

Dates:

Thursday, March 4, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 5, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 6, 2010, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 7, 2010, at 2 p.m.

Thursday, March 11, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, March 12, 2010, at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 13, 2010, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 14, 2010, at 2 p.m.

Location:

Knight Theater, 430 South Tryon St., Charlotte, N.C.

Tickets:

Tickets range from $20-$74

Student Rush $10 (high school and college students, professors and teachers with ID)

Purchase at 704.372.1000, ncdance.org or Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Box Office (Belk Theater Lobby).

Groups of 10 or more receive discounts off the regular price of tickets.

Call 704.379.1380 to find out about group tickets.

Upcoming Performance – Director’s Choice

May 13-15, 2010

Knight Theater

NC Dance Theatre’s 2009-2010 Season concludes with Director’s Choice. President and Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux handpicked three ballets for this program based on their significance, artistic excellence and creativity. Bonnefoux chose a premiere by Dwight Rhoden, George Balanchine’s Apollo and Mark Godden’s Constructing Juliet. Choreographed by Balanchine at age 24, Apollo is widely regarded as Balanchine’s first public success. It premiered in 1928 as part of Ballets Russes in Paris. Apollo was Balanchine’s second ballet set to the music of Stravinsky and began his lifelong partnership with the composer. The ballet centers on Apollo, the young god of music, who is visited by three Muses: the Muse of poetry, the Muse of mime and the Muse of dance. “Apollo is one of Balanchine’s masterpieces,” said Bonnefoux. Also on the program, Mark Godden’s Constructing Juliet explores the “ancient grudge” from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and how it is passed from one generation to the next.

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North Carolina Dance Theatre has established itself as one of America’s premier dance companies. Led by internationally acclaimed President and Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, NC Dance Theatre is based on strong dancers, high energy and a versatile repertoire that ranges from classical ballet to bold contemporary works. NC Dance Theatre School of Dance parallels the professional company’s tradition of excellence.

North Carolina Dance Theatre broke ground on its new 34,000 square foot facility, the Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance, in April 2009. Located at 701 North Tryon Street, the facility will house the Company’s rehearsal and administrative spaces, School of Dance and costume shop. NC Dance Theatre expects to move into the Patricia McBride and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance in spring 2010, with a grand opening scheduled for fall 2010.     

North Carolina Dance Theatre is supported, in part, with operating support by the Arts & Science Council. Dance Theatre is also supported by individuals, corporations, and local and national foundations, the North Carolina Arts Council, ArtsTeach, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

This project is supported in part by an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act award from the National Endowment for the Arts and by the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

For more information visit ncdance.org.