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Alabama Ballet
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Montgomery, AL - Audiences across the country are sinking their teeth into the thrilling ballet "Dracula." The Alabama Dance Theater of Montgomery joins in on the national hysteria by presenting the Alabama Ballet, the state’s premiere professional dance company in one exclusive performance of "Dracula" on Saturday, October 17, 1998 at 7:30 p.m. at historic Davis Theater for the Performing Arts.
The popularity of the ballet "Dracula" has increased in recent years and has been referred to as "the next Nutcracker". It offers a new twist in the world of ballet as perfect example of how dance and theater merge to convey a story to an audience without using spoken words. Because "Dracula" is not a traditional classical ballet, major professional and regional dance companies are using its alternative appeal to attract new audience members in hopes that they will continue to support dance as an art form
Artistic Director, Wes Chapman, and Ballet Master, Roger Van Fleteren, have worked with composer and organist Tom Helms to bring this macabre 100 year old classic tale to life through an original musical score and choreography. Original sets were designed by Douglas Stewart and costumes were created by Sally Schissler, the Alabama Ballet’s new costume director.
Based on Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel, the ballet begins as a Jonathan Harker, a London solicitor travels to Transylvania to meet his mysterious client Count Dracula, performed by Wes Chapman. While Jonathan is away on business, his wife Mina hosts a ball for her friend Lucy. After she chooses a suitor at the ball, a violent storm, caused by Count Dracula, interrupts the party. All of the guests are frozen while Dracula claims Lucy with his evil bite. At dawn, Lucy’s lifeless body is found. Mina warns the others that Lucy is not dead, but un-dead. In order to save Lucy’s soul her suitors must kill Dracula. The sinister ballet concludes as Jonathan drives a stake through Dracula’s heart.
Ticket prices are $10-$25. If you dare, join the Alabama Dance Theater after the performance for the Gothic Gala. Tickets for the party are $50 and include choice seating. Reserved and general admission tickets can be purchased at the Armory Learning Arts Center or by calling the AD ticket line (334) 241-2800. ADT does not recommend this performance for young children and the faint hearted Parental discretion is advised.
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Published October 1998, Alabama
Prime Times
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