Richard
Issac
Jonathan |
Andrea
Bergeman
Lucy |
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Mifa
Ko
Mina |
Eddie
Oroyan
Renfield |
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Norbert
Nirewicz as |
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Dracula
A Ballet of Passion, Life and Death
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Conceived
by Artistic Director Erik J. Sanborn |
Spend
your Halloween with Dracula! The world premiere of Dracula,
a Ballet of Love ties together history and fantasy in a spectacular
dance/theatre production. Co-presented by The Metropolitan
Ballet and Hennepin Theatre Trust, this production explores
both the true story of Prince Vlad Tepes ~ Dracula and the
character of “Dracula” as depicted in the Bram
Stoker novel. The Metropolitan Ballet’s Erik J. Sanborn
has combined five of the Twin Cities most celebrated choreographers,
as well as three dance ensembles to realize his vision. The
result is a production you won’t want to miss! |
Act
I |
The
first act explores the 1400's true story of Prince Dracula
(Vlad Tepes, or Vlad the Impaler) in the first act. The historical
figure of Sylveta (Prince Dracula's wife) commits suicide
after receiving a false letter from the Turks claiming that
Prince Dracula had been killed in battle. Dracula, left in
despair knowing his love interest would be a lost soul condemned
(by her suicide) to wander in another world that is neither
Heaven nor (Hell), becomes victim to the perils of darkness
and is transformed into a Vampire and remains "undead"
for several hundred years. |
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| Act
II |
  The
second act, set in London, takes you through vignettes of
Bram Stoker's novel, Dracula (circa. 1897). Dracula,
the vampire, is discovered to be alive, or "undead"
by Renfield, "The eater of the bugs". Sanborn ties
history and fantasy together through the character of Sylveta
(Dracula's wife) and Mina (a principal character in Stoker's
novel) by having the same ballerina play both roles. Dracula,
filled with the belief that Mina is truly his long lost Sylveta,
becomes enamored with this striking resemblance and by drawing
the life blood out of Renfield, Jonathan and Lucy regains
his youth in attempt to allure the affections of Mina. The
climax of the ballet reunites Prince Vlad "Dracula"
with his beloved Sylveta just before he meets his inevitable
fate. The ballet ends to the thunderous chill of "Dies
irae", Verdi's Requiem. |
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| Choreography |
Given
the eclectic nature of this work, Sanborn commissioned five
celebrated choreographers from the Twin Cities dance community
and incorporates the work of three dance ensembles and members
of The Metropolitan Ballet to fulfill his vision. The choreographers
are Mathew Janczewski (Arena Dances), Carl Flink (Black Label
Movement), Jennifer Hart (Minnesota Dance Theatre), Aerielist
Risa Cohen and Broadway Jazz Choreographer Cheryl Teague. |
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| Special
Guests |
 Performing
as ensembles are Izvorasul ( a Romanian dance ensemble, performers
of authentic Transylvanian Folk Dance), The Beyond Ballroom
Dance Company, and The Black Label Movement (a contemporary
dance company). The Guthrie Theater's Richard Ooms will be
performing as a special guest in the role of Dr. Van Helsing.
Dracula will be portrayed by Norbert Nirewicz, from Poland.
Nirewicz brings an exceptional background in several disciplines
of dance including Ballet, Jazz and Modern and his theater
expertise promises to excite and thrill audiences by his portrayal
of this dark character of passion and mystery. |
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| Community
Events |
Two
community events are being planned in conjunction with Dracula,
including a Blood drive organized by the Red Cross and the
revival of the Annual Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest
on La Salle Plaza. Blood donors will be given a coupon for
a discount on Dracula tickets and the Pumpkin Carving
Contest has been given a special Dracula theme to commemorate
the ballet, winners receive tickets to the performance and
a cash prize.
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