Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Denver, Colo., January 13, 2026
All dance performances sold out; video on demand Black History Month February 2026 of January 17 Raise The Roof Grand Opening Concert

For more information
Patricia (Pat) Smith/For Cleo Parker Robinson Dance
303.807.7086 | pat@ontargetpr.net

Media Preview Site Tours + Interviews: January 14, 2026 | RSVP to Pat Smith (see above)

Editor’s Notes: 1/ Follow-up interviews also available after the preview. See the schedule below with project/team principals at the Media Preview.
2/A full digital media kit will be available January 14 with B-roll, architectural photography, and detailed project background information from Pat Smith. She, Jonathan Deutsch, and Alex Lemke will staff the Media Preview with their principals.
3/ Why two addresses? 119 Park Avenue West and 2020 North Washington are currently distinguished because of fire code.

Where: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Center for the Healing Arts, 2025 North Washington Street, Denver 80205

How/Format: Introductory comments, guided site tours by CPRD Team concurrent with scheduled and flexible interviews. Contact Pat Smith to schedule interview times so you can meet filing deadlines.

Who/Tour: Site Tour Locations/Project Principals

• Cleo Parker Robinson/CPRD Founder and Artistic Director and Malik Robinson/CPRD President + CEO: CPRD Flex Theatre (off of the Main Lobby); a unique blend of proscenium and Black Box with retractable seating
• Curt Fentress and Kahyun Lee/Fentress Studios: Freeman Studio (2nd level) bathed in color and light
• Brian Fitzpatrick/Mortenson VP and Tori Vendegna/Construction Site Manager: Lobby
• Hillary Harding, CPRD VP of Development and Communication and Gwen Brewer/CPRD Board Chair: Lobby near the donor wall art: the Junkanoo Queen by Jenn Goodrich
• Exterior photos/videography narration: Cleo and Malik in front of the East-facing solar cladding with Labanotation; this can be scheduled at Noon or by arrangement with Pat Smith.

When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
10 a.m. – Introductory Comments by project principals (see list below)
10:30 a.m. – Guided site tours begin with CPRD Staff Hillary Harding, Colleen Curran, Micah Bursh, and Hanna Ghadessi
10:30 a.m. – Begin scheduled interviews with principals
Noon – Photo/video shoot with Cleo and Malik at the East-facing exterior solar cladding wall with Labanotation
1 p.m. – Media Preview Wrap Up (don’t miss the 3 p.m. Open Rehearsal and interview block with Lil’ Buck!)

Visuals: January 14
The entire facility! CPRD Flex Space Theatre, the Junkanoo Queen Donor Wall Art, the expansive Lobby, the 28-ft tall Freeman Studio with colored window fins to the exterior. Exterior East wall with photovoltaic (solar) panels layered with Labanotation choreography symbols. Open Rehearsal With Lil’ Buck.

Open Rehearsal Observation and Interview Time with Guest Artist/Choreographer Lil’ Buck
Watch Lil’ Buck (Charles Riley) as he creates a new work (The Process) with the CPRD Ensemble with a partial preview performance included during the sold-out RaisingThe Roof Grand Opening Concert January 17 at 7:30 p.m. (on-demand video of this performance will be during Black History Month, February 2026). He has performed in dance festivals throughout the U.S., including with the CPRD Ensemble at the 2021 Vail Dance festival in the Standing On The Shoulders World Premiere choreographed by Cleo Parker Robinson.
3 – 4 p.m. – Observe an Open Rehearsal with the CPRD Ensemble and Lil’ Buck
4 – 4:30 p.m. – Interview time Lil Buck. Dance Genre: Street style Jookin’ on point.

Thursday | January 15 | Private Showcase event | SOLD OUT | VIP Thank You to Aya and Sankofa Societies

What: A Donor Thank You and Art Unveiling of the Junkanoo Queen in the Main Lobby
CPRD Ensemble Dance Performance and Evening of Jazz featuring Grammy Award winner Dianne Reeves accompanied by Jazz pianist Billy Childs. Performances by Isaiah Collier, Saxophonist and Percussionist Tim Regis

When: Refreshments and appetizers begin 5 p.m.; art unveiling, transition to dance performance, intermission, and return to the theatre for the jazz performance. Wrap up 9 p.m.

Who: Filmmaker Nicole London in collaboration with Run and Shoot Filmworks

Where: CPRD Center for the Healing Arts Theatre

Why: See original art by Denver designer/illustrator Jenn Goodrich, dance and jazz by internationally renowned artists, and the transformation of the new CPRD Flex Theatre from a proscenium stage to a jazz venue as floor space is expanded with retractable theatre seats.

How: Limited media access; no seats available; we are mindful of fire code. Contact Pat Smith.

Friday | January 16 | CPRD Grand Opening Film Festival – Part I

When: 7:30 p.m.

What: We Want The Funk dance film and after-screening talkback with the filmmaker

Who: Filmmaker Nicole London in collaboration with Run and Shoot Filmworks

Where: CPRD Center for the Healing Arts Theatre

Why: About the film: Directed and produced by Stanley Nelson and Nicole London, WE WANT THE FUNK! is a syncopated voyage through the history of funk music, spanning from African, soul, and early jazz roots, to its rise into the public consciousness. Featuring James Brown’s dynamism, the extraterrestrial funk of George Clinton’s Parliament Funkadelic, transformed girl group Labelle, and Fela Kuti’s Afrobeat, the story also traces funk’s influences on both new wave and hip-hop.

How: Find tickets here!

Saturday | January 17 | GRAND OPENING Ribbon Cutting + Open House | Open to the public

10 a.m. – Ribbon Cutting; local dignitaries and public officials | Mayor Johnston, Senator Bennet, Councilman Watson
10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. – A Kim Bimestefer representing Governor Jared Polis; Open House for Self Tours
1:30 to 3 p.m. – Open Rehearsal (quiet observers only); Lil’ Buck and the CPRD Ensemble; other companies

Cleo Parker Robinson Healing Center Opening

Saturday | January 17 | SOLD OUT | Raising the Roof! Grand Opening Dance Performance

When: 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

What: Raising the Roof Grand Opening dance concert by Presenting Denver
Lil’ Buck will present a newly choreographed piece of The Process; it is set on the CPRD Ensemble. Its completed World Premiere performance is scheduled for the CPRD Legacy Spring Concert, 2026 Mother’s Day Weekend

Who: Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Lil’ Buck, ArtistiCO, Colorado Ballet, Schyleen Qualls, Poet; PHILADANCO!, Joan Myers Brown, Founder, PHILADANCO! —will be honored at this event. She was the founding principal of the International Association of Blacks in Dance, recipient of the National Medal of Arts.

Where: CPRD Center for the Healing Arts Flex Space Theatre

Why: Inaugural performance! Sharing our new stage with our wonderful fellow Colorado dance companies!

How: Media registration only with Pat Smith; SOLD OUT; limited space because of fire code
A video on demand of this performance will be available during February 2026 Black History Month.

Sunday | January 18 | Community Church Service + Reception | Public Invited

When: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

What: Dare to Believe “We are the World” Church Service, Dance Performance, Choir Performance, and Reception following service.

Who: Reverend Big T Hughes, Reverend Downing, Reverend Terrance Carroll, Cleo Parker Robinson Youth Ensemble, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Legacy Choir with Daryl Walker, Minister of Music

Where: Historic Shorter AME Facility, 119 Park Avenue West | Old CPRD Theatre
Reception after service next door in in the lobby of the new building at 2025 North Washington

Why: A community blessing connecting a new era of the Historic Shorter AME Facility to the new CPRD Center for the Healing Arts

How: Free of charge and open to the public

Sunday | January 18 |CPRD Grand Opening Film Festival – Part 2

When: 6:30 p.m.

What: Satisfied film screening

Why: The documentary of Tony winner Renée Elise Goldsberry after the meteoric success of Hamilton.

Where: CPRD Center for the Healing Arts, 2025 North Washington Street/New CPRD Theatre

Who: Filmmaker Melissa Haizlip in collaboration with Run and Shoot Filmworks

How: Find tickets here!

Friday | January 23 – Arts-In-Education full day of school outreach with neighborhood schools

When: 10 a.m. through 3 p.m.

What: Student outreach with movement/dance/global cultural education performances

Where: CPRD Center for the Healing Arts Flex Space Theatre

Why: Arts-In-Education outreach to underserved elementary/middle schools in nearby/walking distance neighborhoods near CPRD.

How: By registration only with Shelby Jarosz, Senior VP, CPRD Education Programs (Shelby@cleoparkerdance.org) or Mimi Patel (mimi@cleoparkerdance.org).

Visuals: Photo/video opportunity with day-long sessions scheduled with neighborhood school groups: Curtis Park Elementary, Hallett Elementary, Whittier Elementary schools near CPRD/Five Points

Saturday | January 24 – CPRD Academy – Free classes all day for the Village! |

When: 8 a.m. through 5 p.m.

What: All genres of dance offered by the CPRD Academy! Open Levels

Why: Get to know the CPRD Academy where all students from 1 to 101 can dance!

Where: CPRD Center for the Healing Arts, 2025 North Washington Street/New CPRD Theatre

Who: CPRD Teaching Artists

How: Register in advance online here; class registrations, genres, and descriptions linked to the MindBody website.

About Cleo Parker Robinson Dance: 55th Anniversary Season 1970 to 2025/26

 Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (CPRD) is in its 55th  season in 2025/2026, serving the artistic and educational needs of the community. CPRD was founded with the belief that the language of dance transcends the boundaries of culture, class, and age. CPRD is a 501 © (3) non-profit, multi-cultural performing arts organization based in Denver, Colo. This institution is committed to bringing dance into the lives of diverse people. CPRD operations constitute five pillars:

Dance Ensembles: a modern dance ensemble (Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble) and second company (Cleo II) which tour both nationally and internationally, a Youth Ensemble, and a Junior Youth Ensemble. The professional ensembles tour locally and internationally; local performances also serve the seven-county members of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District communities.

A year-round Academy of Dance teaching more than 1,000 students of all ages, and collaborating with Metropolitan State University of Denver in a BA Dance degree program, an international summer dance institute (ISDI), and an in-school lecture demonstration and teaching residency series during tours.

Arts Development/Facility Rental in a renovated 240-seat CPRD Theatre and a new 240-seat Flex Space Theatre, also home to nearly 30 non-profit and arts organizations who rent it to develop, rehearse, and perform their work; a rebuilt stage with technology upgrades and a new sprung floor launched in January 2021 to enable rental groups to present their virtual performances; recent ADA updates included. The new CPRD Center for the Performing Arts is launching January 15 to 24, 2026 with a state-of-the-art Flex Space Theatre, four dance studios, an expansive Lobby and Café, and administrative offices. The adjacent outdoor CPRD Amphitheatre is home to the annual Mile High Dance Festival and scheduled outdoor dance classes and events.

An Arts-In-Education (AIE) outreach program with multiple curricula serving 240 schools and nearly 30,000 students, and the STREAM theatre technology program for middle school, high school, and post-secondary students (offered live and virtually by request). A post-secondary theatre tech apprenticeship certificate is now available endorsed by the Colorado Department of Labor.

Arts-In-Wellness (AIW): Expanding CPRD’s Arts Outreach into wellness, this new operations pillar creates collaborative partnerships in the areas of movement, health, civic engagement, and community events as well as policy development for arts advocacy in education and health equity. Moving AHEAD statewide arts advocacy programs and Mental Health is Wealth middle/high school civic engagement programs and internships engage 12 Denver Public Schools.

For more information, to buy tickets, attend classes, or organize school outreach programs, please visit cleoparkerdance.org or Cleo Parker Robinson Dance on social media: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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Press releases are provided to Yellow Scene Magazine. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Colorado Ballet Celebrates the Denver Premiere of The Great Gatsby with Performances January 30-February 8, 2025

Presented by Mary Ellen and David Wright

Denver, CO – Step into the Roaring Twenties with Colorado Ballet’s production of The Great Gatsby! For the first time in Denver, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless tale of love, ambition, and betrayal unfolds through stunning choreography by acclaimed choreographer Jorden Morris and an original jazz-infused score by legendary composer Carl Davis, performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.

Performance Information

ABOUT COLORADO BALLET
Presenting exceptional classical ballet and innovative contemporary dance through performances, training, education and community engagement, Colorado Ballet continues to inspire and grow an increasingly diverse audience base in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 65 years of excellence. As a world-class professional company serving more than 100,000 national and international patrons, Colorado Ballet presents 58 performances annually to sold-out audiences in the 2,000-seat Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The Company’s 36 professional dancers and 22 studio company dancers come from all over the world. Colorado Ballet’s The Armstrong Center for Dance, a 35,000-square-foot building, boasts eight state-of-the-art professional dance studios and amenities for the professional Company.

The post Colorado Ballet Celebrates the Denver Premiere of The Great Gatsby with Performances January 30-February 8, 2025  appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Colorado Ballet Announces Dancer Promotions
for Its 2023/2024 Season

Denver, CO (August 23, 2023) – Colorado Ballet announces that it has promoted eight dancers within the Company and hired one new Corps de Ballet artist ahead of its 2023/2024 Season.

Colorado Ballet is pleased to announce the following changes to its Company roster:

PRINCIPALS
Soloist Christophor Moulton has been promoted to Principal. Moulton, who hails from Colorado Springs, CO, joined Colorado Ballet as a member of the Studio Company in 2009 before being promoted to Corps de Ballet in 2010 and Soloist in 2017.

CORPS DE BALLET
Apprentices Kenny Allen and Alexandra Gilliom were promoted to the Corps de Ballet. Cruz Vining joins the company this season as part of the Corps de Ballet.

APPRENTICES
Lily Bines, Mylie Buck, Leopold Foster, Tate Ryner, and Lili Travaglia were hired from the Studio Company into the main Company as Apprentices.

STUDIO COMPANY
This season, Colorado Ballet’s Studio Company includes 22 dancers, nine of whom are alumni of Colorado Ballet’s prestigious Colorado Ballet Academy (CBA).

“I extend my sincerest congratulations to those who have been promoted, and I wish a warm welcome to our newly hired artist,” stated Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet’s artistic director. “This is a very special moment for our dancers and our organization. It’s a joy to see so many talented, young artists grow within their careers and achieve their goals here at Colorado Ballet.”

“Year after year, our main company continues to flourish. We now have 36 passionate artists within our ranks, up from 35 last season,” continued Boggs. “The expansion within our company allows us to continue broadening our repertoire and bringing new works to the community. We are thrilled to present three Denver premieres this season, including a world premiere choreographed especially for Colorado Ballet. This is a very exciting time for the organization, and I look forward to seeing audiences in the Ellie this October for Swan Lake.”

2023/2024 PERFORMANCES

Swan Lake

Oct. 6–15, 2023
A fairytale of passion, heartbreak, sorcery and deceit unfurls on the shores of a moonlit lake in October. Colorado Ballet presents Swan Lake, a Romantic ballet beloved worldwide, performed to Tchaikovsky’s indelible score. This opulent four act production features iconic choreography after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, with additional choreography by Ballet Master Sandra Brown, Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner.

The Nutcracker

Nov. 25–Dec. 24, 2023
As the fate of one magical night hangs in the balance, Clara’s nutcracker comes to life for a battle royale. Festive fan-favorite The Nutcracker returns to Denver this holiday season with 28 performances, including a matinee with sensory-friendly adaptations on Sunday, November 26. Featuring the company’s custom-made sets and costumes, which debuted in 2021, this dazzling and dreamy production sees sold-out performances year after year.
Presented by PNC Bank

Val Caniparoli’s Jekyll & Hyde

Feb. 2–11, 2024
Havoc is unleashed on Victorian London when one man struggles with the terrifying dance between the good and evil that lies within. Colorado Ballet will treat audiences to a U.S. premiere of full-length ballet Jekyll & Hyde, choreographed in 2020 by Val Caniparoli. Inspired by the classic Gothic novella by Robert Louis Stevenson, this neoteric production explores the depths of the human psyche and features music by acclaimed composers Frédéric Chopin, Krzysztof Penderecki, Henryk Górecki, Wojciech Kilar and Henryk Wieniawski. Due to its mature content, Jekyll & Hyde is recommended for ages 13+.

Coppélia

March 8–17, 2024
When a life-sized doll comes between two village lovers, a young woman dances to the rescue, saving her betrothed from a scheming inventor. For the first time in 15 years, Colorado Ballet presents Coppélia, a comedic ballet based on two short stories by E.T.A. Hoffmann, author of The Nutcracker and The Mouse King. Renowned for its charming blend of humor and classical sensibility, Coppélia is a whimsical story of love and mistaken identity. Colorado Ballet’s adaptation features original choreography after Arthur Saint-Léon, staged by Ballet Masters Sandra Brown, Lorita Travaglia and Maria Mosina, set to the music of Léo Delibes.

Ballet MasterWorks

April 12–21, 2023
A trio of Ballet MasterWorks that test the limitations of gravity and rhythm will close the season. Colorado Ballet presents Yoshihisa Arai’s Boléro, set to the score of Maurice Ravel, George Balanchine’s Rubies, with music by Igor Stravinsky, and a world premiere that Denver audiences will be the first to discover, choreographed by Lauren Lovette, former principal dancer with New York City Ballet.
Sponsored by Denver Ballet Guild

Colorado Ballet is grateful for the generous support it receives from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and PNC Bank.

ABOUT COLORADO BALLET

Presenting exceptional classical ballet and innovative contemporary dance through performances, training, education and community engagement, Colorado Ballet continues to inspire and grow an increasingly diverse audience base in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 63 years of excellence. As a world-class professional company serving over 100,000 national and international patrons, Colorado Ballet presents 58 performances annually to sold-out audiences in the 2,000 seat Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The Company’s 36 professional dancers and 22 studio company dancers come from all over the world. Colorado Ballet’s The Armstrong Center for Dance, a 35,000 square foot building, boasts eight state-of-the-art professional dance studios and amenities for the professional Company. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet performs classical ballet masterpieces, full-length story ballets and its critically acclaimed repertory production Ballet MasterWorks, featuring varied works from neoclassical ballets to world premieres. The Raydean Acevedo Colorado Ballet Academy serves over 1,200 students from toddlers to seniors each year. Colorado Ballet’s Education & Community Engagement offers programs to students and community members, making over 25,000 contacts and reaching over 200 schools and organizations annually. Participants come from a variety of backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses including youth, families, teachers, and people with and without disabilities. For more information, please visit coloradoballet.org.

The post Colorado Ballet Announces Dancer Promotions for Its 2023/2024 Season appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Christopher Moulton and Sarah Tryon by Rachel Neville

DENVER, CO (September 8, 2022) – Colorado Ballet will welcome patrons back to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for the opening of its 2022/2023 Season with eight performances of Dracula, October 7–16, 2022.

Back by popular demand, Dracula returns to Denver for the first time since its sold-out run in 2017. Featuring mesmerizing choreography by Michael Pink and Philip Feeney’s original score performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, this frighteningly fun ballet brings Bram Stoker’s legendary gothic novel to life, complete with Victorian-style sets and costumes, seductive vampires, and a Corps de Ballet of the undead.

“Colorado Ballet is thrilled to bring Dracula back to Denver audiences this October,” stated Artistic Director Gil Boggs. “This production has become something of a cult favorite here in Colorado, and the level of enthusiasm we see from our patrons for this ballet is absolutely incredible. Every year we receive scores of requests to add Dracula to our season line-up.

Now that it’s back, we can really feel the excitement from our patrons, and it makes our job of presenting this epic retelling that much more fun and rewarding,” continued Boggs. “Our dancers love performing Dracula as much as our audiences love experiencing it, and we can’t wait to show Colorado a scary-good time next month.”

Tickets to Dracula are already selling quickly, and Colorado Ballet anticipates that performances will sell out again this season. For the best availability, purchase today at COLORADOBALLET.ORG.

PERFORMANCE DATES AND TIMES

*Audio described performance

TICKETS

Tickets range from $40 to $175. Visit COLORADOBALLET.ORG or call Patron Services at 303-837-8888 ext. 2 to purchase tickets.

To continue to reduce the number of ticket resellers, please purchase directly through Colorado Ballet via the website or phone number listed above. Tickets purchased through resellers may not be valid.

SPONSORS

The 2022/2023 Season presenting sponsors are the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), PNC Bank, Lynnette Morrison, MidFirst Bank and Denver Ballet Guild. Supporting sponsors include Colorado Ballet Auxiliary, The Shubert Foundation, Bonfils Stanton Foundation, Genesee Mountain Foundation, and Colorado Creative Industries.

EVENT LISTING FOR DRACULA

Colorado Ballet presents Dracula
October 7 – 16, 2022 | Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Tickets start at $40 at COLORADOBALLET.ORG

Back by bloodthirsty demand, our season opens with Bram Stoker’s legendary gothic love story set in 19th century Transylvania. Featuring choreography by Michael Pink and Philip Feeny’s original score performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, this haunting, all-consuming cult favorite promises goosebumps.

MORE UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS

The Nutcracker | November 26–December 24, 2022
Ellie Caulkins Opera House

Lady of the Camellias | February 3–12, 2023
Ellie Caulkins Opera House

 Cinderella | March 10–19, 2023
Ellie Caulkins Opera House

Ballet MasterWorks | April 14–23, 2023
Featuring George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son, Ji?í Kylián’s Sinfonietta, and Clark Tippet’s Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1.
Ellie Caulkins Opera House

ABOUT COLORADO BALLET

Presenting exceptional classical ballet and innovative contemporary dance through performances, training, education and community engagement, Colorado Ballet continues to inspire and grow an increasingly diverse audience base in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 62 years of excellence. As a world-class professional company serving over 100,000 national and international patrons, Colorado Ballet presents 58 performances annually to sold-out audiences in the 2,000 seat Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The Company’s 35 professional dancers and 25 studio company dancers come from all over the world. Colorado Ballet’s The Armstrong Center for Dance, a 35,000 square foot building, boasts eight state-of-the-art professional dance studios and amenities for the professional Company. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet performs classical ballet masterpieces, full-length story ballets and its critically acclaimed repertory production Ballet MasterWorks, featuring varied works from neoclassical ballets to world premieres. The Raydean Acevedo Colorado Ballet Academy serves over 1,200 students from toddlers to seniors each year. Colorado Ballet’s Education & Community Engagement offers programs to students and community members, making over 25,000 contacts and reaching over 200 schools and organizations annually. Participants come from a variety of backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses including youth, families, teachers, and people with and without disabilities. For more information, please visit coloradoballet.org.

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The post Colorado Ballet Opens 2022/2023 Season with Dracula at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, October 7–16, 2022 appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Editor’s Note: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we publish some press releases in whole.

Alexander Roy by Rachel Neville for Colorado Ballet

TICKETS

Tickets range from $40 to $175. Visit COLORADOBALLET.ORG or call Patron Services at 303-837-8888 ext. 2 to purchase tickets.

To continue to reduce the number of ticket resellers, please purchase directly through Colorado Ballet via the website or phone number listed above. Tickets purchased through resellers may not be valid.

Performance Attendance Policy

To protect audiences and the community from illness and to slow transmission of COVID-19, Colorado Ballet has joined the resident companies of the Denver Performing Arts Complex in implementing a COVID-19 performance attendance policy that went into effect on Oct. 1  for all performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. For more information and to read the full details of the policy, please visit our website.

SPONSORS

Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker is presented by PNC Bank. Colorado Ballet receives support from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).

EVENT LISTING FOR THE NUTCRACKER

Colorado Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Nov. 27 – Dec. 24, 2021 | Ellie Caulkins Opera House
Tickets start at $40 at COLORADOBALLET.ORG

The beloved holiday favorite returns in a dazzling production like no one’s ever seen, featuring all new sets and costumes created especially for Colorado Ballet. A sellout every year, this magical tale of Clara, the Nutcracker and the Mouse King is going to be dreamier than ever.

MORE UPCOMING PRODUCTIONS

Romeo and Juliet | February 4-13, 2022
Ellie Caulkins Opera House

The Wizard of Oz | March 11-20, 2022
Ellie Caulkins Opera House

Ballet MasterWorks | April 15-24, 2022

Featuring Theme and Variations, Petite Mort and Nine Sinatra Songs
Ellie Caulkins Opera House

ABOUT PNC BANK
PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com

ABOUT COLORADO BALLET
Presenting exceptional classical ballet and innovative contemporary dance through performances, training, education and community engagement, Colorado Ballet continues to inspire and grow an increasingly diverse audience base in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 61 years of excellence. As a world-class professional company serving over 100,000 national and international patrons, Colorado Ballet presents 55 performances annually to sold-out audiences in the 2,000 seat Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The Company’s 32 professional dancers and 20 studio company dancers come from all over the world. Colorado Ballet’s The Armstrong Center for Dance, a 35,000 square foot building, boasts eight state-of-the-art professional dance studios and amenities for the professional Company. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet performs classical ballet masterpieces, full-length story ballets and its critically acclaimed repertory production Ballet MasterWorks, featuring varied works from neoclassical ballets to world premieres. The Raydean Acevedo Colorado Ballet Academy serves over 1,200 students from toddlers to seniors each year. Colorado Ballet’s Education & Community Engagement offers programs to students and community members, making over 25,000 contacts and reaching over 200 schools and organizations annually. Participants come from a variety of backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses including youth, families, teachers, and people with and without disabilities. For more information, please visit coloradoballet.org.

Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter

The post Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker Returns This Holiday Season with Brand New Sets and Costumes | Press Release appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

PRESS RELEASE: Press Releases are provided to Yellow Scene. In an effort to keep our community informed, we are now publishing some press releases in whole.

Image courtesy the Colorado Ballet

A five-production season planned for an inspiring return to the Ellie Caulkins Opera House

Denver, CO (February 12, 2021) – Colorado Ballet’s Artistic Director Gil Boggs announced plans for returning to live, in-person performances at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for the 2021/2022 season, which will include Giselle, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, The Wizard of Oz and Ballet MasterWorks.

“I am elated and hopeful today to announce Colorado Ballet’s full-length productions planned for the Company’s return to the stage in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for the 2021/2022 season,” stated Artistic Director Gil Boggs. “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported Colorado Ballet during this extraordinarily difficult time and made it possible for our dancers to continue dancing. Words cannot express how much we are all looking forward to getting back into the theater to perform, and back in front of our audiences.

It has been a year unlike any other, and our organization is exceedingly grateful to be in a position where we can make plans for returning to in-person performances. Now more than ever, artists and performing arts organizations are championing a message of hope, resilience, perseverance and love. These are the messages we all need right now, and we are thrilled at the prospect of getting our dancers back on the stage to share their artistry. ”

• Colorado Ballet plans to open the 2021/2022 season on Friday, October 8, 2021 with eight performances of Giselle running through October 17, 2021. Experience this romantic tragedy that continues to inspire audiences worldwide with a display of the dancers’ beautiful artistry. Will the Wilis succeed in dancing Count Albrecht to death? Will Giselle be able to save her true love? The stunningly skilled athletes of Colorado Ballet bring the beauty and heartbreak of Giselle to the stage.
• For its celebratory 60^th annual performance of The Nutcracker, Colorado Ballet will debut its brand new sets and costumes, created in the classic Victorian style especially for Colorado Ballet. The magical spirit of the season will come to life more than ever before with this acclaimed production of a beloved holiday favorite as audiences return to the theater November 27 – December 24, 2021. Once again, join Clara and her army of toy soldiers as they battle the Mouse King and journey to the Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
• In February 2022, Colorado Ballet will bring back an audience favorite with Derek Deane’s Romeo and Juliet, February 4-13, 2022. Experience one of the greatest tragic love stories of all time. Choreography by Derek Deane that demands exceptional levels of ballet technique, artistry and acting, paired with Sergei Prokofiev’s phenomenal music score, performed by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, makes for an evening of stunning artistic grandeur. From the energetic crowd scenes to the famous balcony scene that transitions into a gorgeous pas de deux between the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet will take your breath away.
• Septime Webre’s dazzling production returns for the first time since its world premiere in 2019. The Wizard of Oz, presented March 11-20, 2022, brings Dorothy and a whirlwind of your favorite characters back down the Yellow Brick Road. Webre’s whimsical and timeless choreography showcases the strength, athleticism and artistry of Colorado Ballet’s talented dancers as they journey to the Emerald City.
• To close the 2021/2022 season, Colorado Ballet presents monumental favorites in Ballet MasterWorks, April 15-24, 2022. This program features ballet works that profoundly impacted the art form and remain central masterpieces of the 20th century repertoire, many of which often top dancers’ “bucket list” of ultimate pieces that challenge and inspire. This season’s finale will include Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, as well as two additional works yet to be announced. Stay tuned for more information in the near future.

TICKETS

Additional information regarding season and single ticket sales will be available later this spring. Single tickets for the 2021/2022 Season are currently planned to go on sale during the summer. More information regarding all season ticket subscription renewals and single ticket on sale dates will be forthcoming.

Visit our website at coloradoballet.org and follow us on social media to ensure that you remain up to date on all of Colorado Ballet’s latest announcements, events, media and more.

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2021/2022 SEASON SPONSORS

Colorado Ballet is grateful for the generous support from all of its sponsors including the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), Denver Ballet Guild, Colorado Ballet Auxiliary, Colorado Athletic Club and PNC Bank.

ABOUT COLORADO BALLET

Presenting exceptional classical ballet and innovative contemporary dance through performances, training, education and community engagement, Colorado Ballet continues to inspire and grow an increasingly diverse audience base in Denver, CO. Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 60 years of excellence.  As a world-class professional company serving over 100,000 national and international patrons, Colorado Ballet typically presents 55 performances annually to sold-out audiences in the 2,000 seat Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The Company’s 32 professional dancers and 21 studio company dancers come from all over the world. Colorado Ballet’s The Armstrong Center for Dance, a 35,000 square foot building, boasts eight state-of-the-art professional dance studios and amenities for the professional Company. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet performs classical ballet masterpieces, full-length story ballets and its critically-acclaimed repertory production Ballet MasterWorks, featuring varied works from neoclassical ballets to world premieres. The Raydean Acevedo Colorado Ballet Academy serves over 1,200 students from toddlers to seniors each year. Colorado Ballet’s Education & Community Engagement offers programs to students and community members, making over 25,000 contacts and reaching over 200 schools and organizations annually. Participants come from a variety of backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses including youth, families, teachers and people with and without disabilities. For more information please visit COLORADOBALLET.ORG.

The post Colorado Ballet Announces Plans for Its 2021/2022 Season | Press Release appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

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Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

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The day before the Colorado Ballet premieres a new ballet, school children are offered the opportunity to attend a full-dress matinee at a heavily discounted price. These special performances are essentially dress rehearsals complete with costumes, makeup, lighting, and orchestra. The crowd is young, loud, and rowdy, which is perfect for young kids who may otherwise have difficulty maintaining the formal decorum generally required of ballet attendees. On Thursday, February 27, my bouncing 8-year-old daughter and I, along with Yellow Scene editor, De La Vaca,  were treated to a delightful afternoon of Peter Pan in a theater full of elementary students.     

Almost everyone is familiar with the story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up, who takes Wendy and her brothers on a magical adventure to Neverland, a land of pirates, fairies, lost boys, and a Native tribe. The enchanting ballet is action packed, with high flying adventure, fighting, mild romance, and plenty of stage magic. Peter Pan is an excellent ballet to introduce the world of dance to children of all ages, and maybe reintroduce it to the child in all of us.

Peter Pan is originally choreographed by Michael Pink, who also choreographed Colorado Ballet’s Dracula. Colorado Ballet debuted the production in 2012, though it was first performed in 2010 at Milwaukee Ballet, of which Pink is the Artistic Director. It is loved by audiences, selling out quickly – possibly because of a shortened run; while The Nutcracker run had 26 performance dates, Peter Pan only has 9. Music was created especially for this ballet by Phillip Feeney and is performed by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, with accompaniment by the Colorado Children’s Chorale.

Kevin Gael Thomas and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

One of the special challenges of performing this ballet is the trick of flying. The characters of Wendy, Michael, John, and Peter Pan each log some flight time, with the most extensive feats performed by Peter’s character. Our group’s afternoon experience was enhanced by a backstage tour, where we saw the rope and pulley systems that lift the dancers high above the stage; the flying effects in Peter Pan are provided by ZFX, Inc. A video on the Colorado Ballet website shows dancer Kevin Gael Thomas discussing how he and Francisco Esteves pull off that magic.

The dancers alternate performing the role of Peter with being backstage to call cues to the technicians lifting the onstage Peter. The flying that looks easy and natural onstage requires the precise coordination of at least four people. The dancers must learn to use their bodies in unique ways to create this wonderful fantasy of flight. Some of the more fantastical flight moments include Peter and the Darling children flying over London as they pass Big Ben and the Tower of London, and some of Pan’s antics, such as standing on Hook’s blade.

Also seen backstage was the gorgeous and intricate set piece of Captain Hook’s pirate ship. This large piece is cleverly designed by Rick Graham (Peter Pan Scenic Design) to be climbed by the dancers, glide across the stage, and be turned about to show both the outside of the ship and the rooms below deck. All of this shifting scenery is beautifully choreographed into the story. I appreciated a glimpse into the inner workings of the stage artistry which, we are told, is often done by other dancers helping out.

Leah McFadden by Mike Watson

Each of the beloved characters are brought wonderfully to life by the cast. The Tic Toc croc makes a wonderful, if brief appearance. The family dog, Nana is endearingly portrayed. Fernanda Oliveira’s Tiger Lily (alternatively danced by Asuka Sasaki) has powerful presence. Nicolas Pelletier (alternatively danced by Christophor Moulton) plays a dual role of Mr. Darling and Captain Hook, a clever contrivance, as Mr. Darling is a little bit of a bad guy in act one. 

My daughter was particularly charmed by the mischievous and feisty Tinkerbell. Her twinkling, light-up costume offered a new, non-Disney image to the familiar fairy. Kicking Peter in the shins, sticking her tongue out at the audience, and laughing after shooting Wendy from the sky, she’s quite impish, and played adorably by Mackenzie Dessens (alternatively danced by Leah McFadden). The children of the audience get a chance to interact with Tink by waving magic wands to bring her back to life. 

We caught a glimpse of the dancer backstage during our intermission tour as she scampered fae-ishly across the stage. I commented to our tour guide that she was staying in character, to which she replied that Mackenzie is just that fae in real life. Later that night, taken by the fairy’s naughty charms, our generally agreeable child perplexed her father by sticking her tongue out at him at bedtime.

Though I was captivated by most of the performance, a few issues grabbed my attention. Before going into the theater, I wondered how the story and appearance of Tiger Lily would be addressed in these current times, when we should all be aware of the issues facing Native people – and particularly Native women – who are missing and murdered at an alarming rate. Peter Pan was written in 1911 and is riddled with racism regarding Native representation. Some of today’s theater companies grapple with how to present the story while also honoring Native people. 

In Colorado Ballet’s production, I appreciated that Tiger Lily and her tribe of all women were depicted as brave and independent, fighting off the pirates on their own. Their costumes seemed skimpy and exotified in relation to traditional regalia and clothing, and compared to the costumes for the rest of the cast. A Native American woman who accompanied De La Vaca later in the evening for the final dress rehearsal found them skimpy but also well made and not plastic and cheap looking, as is wont in festivals and party representation all over, though we’d love if the costumes were made by actual Native people in appropriate fashion. 

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Christophor Moulton and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

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In Act 3, the Native women are captured by the pirates. They interact with their captors who seem to be celebrating, by alternately entertaining them with dances, and pushing them away. Some are then carried off into the rooms under the ship by the drinking pirates, leaving me to question what happens to them next, and whether this depiction bumps the rating of this children’s production to PG-13. When I checked in with my daughter, the nuances of this scene had gone, fortunately, over her head. 

As a parent, I believe it is my responsibility to balance fantastical depictions of culture with real cultural experiences and education. Our family has attended several local PowWow gatherings, where we can witness Native people in traditional regalia that they have made, participating in traditional dances and music. We will be sure to attend more of these gatherings and discuss differences between what we see there and what was depicted on stage.

Asked about these cultural concerns, Colorado Ballet provided a statement, not dissimilar to the one Disney+ added to their recently released collection: “Colorado Ballet respects and embraces all cultures. This story is an adaptation of the Peter Pan novel originally published in 1902 by J.M. Barrie and may contain cultural depictions that were common during that era.” 

Peter Pan captivates, with all the daring your childhood self remembers, brought to life brilliantly yet again, with explosions sure to startle, leaps into imagination guaranteed to make you crane your neck, and emotion enough to make you weepy. Make sure to see Peter Pan by the Colorado Ballet. Bring your sense of wonder with you. 

You can catch a performance of Peter Pan at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House from now until February 9. The Colorado Ballet is also hosting A Night in Neverland: A Colorado Ballet Gala on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Check it out online and make sure to attend this very exclusive trip to Neverland. PowWow gatherings in Colorado can be attended throughout the year. 

Leah McFadden and Artists of the Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Kevin Gael Thomas, Morgan Buchanan,and Chandra Kuykendall by Mike Watson

Kevin Gael Thomas, Christophor Moulton, and Artists of the Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Kevin Gael Thomas by Mike Watson

Kevin Gael Thomas and Simon Zinabu Costello by Mike Watson

Kevin Gael Thomas and Morgan Buchanan by Mike Watson

Kevin Gael Thomas and Leah McFadden by Mike Watson

Kevin Gael Thomas and Leah McFadden by Mike Watson

Kevin Gael Thomas and Leah McFadden by Mike Watson

Kevin Gael Thomas and Christophor Moulton by Mike Watson

Christophor Moulton and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Christophor Moulton and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Arianna Ciccarelli and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

The post Peter Pan Flies High with Colorado Ballet | Review appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

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Francisco Estevez by Allen Birnbach for Colorado Ballet

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The time of Fall feasting has passed and December is upon us. You may now celebrate your chosen winter holiday with full enthusiasm. What more classical way to herald the magic of Santa season than by attending a live performance of The Nutcracker? Full of everyone’s favorite holiday traditions: partying, toasting, dancing, that one weird relative, gifting, fighting, candy, and a fantastic dream sequence (or was it real?), the ballet is set to Tchaikovsky’s beloved suite, by far the best holiday music. Over a century later, we’re still not tired of it.  

The Colorado Ballet opened their 59th annual Nutcracker production on November 30, running through December 29 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The production has been a staple of the Colorado Ballet since its beginning, and has evolved over the years as the company has grown from small theaters into the company’s current home in the gorgeous Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

I attended the evening showing on December 1 with my 8-year-old daughter. She joyfully joined the ranks of the many who can say that The Nutcracker was their very first ballet. As the curtain rose, along with the musical score, played by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra, conducted by Adam Flatt, my young companion and I slipped into the magical realm of sweets. As we both became absorbed in the story, it slowly dawned on me that, though I have watched numerous Nutcracker productions on television, sometimes badly dancing along, this was my first live viewing. As always with live performance, the depth and quality of the experience is enhanced by being submerged in the same space as the performers, breathing the same air, exchanging our appreciation for their offering.

Chandra Kuykendall, Christophor Moulton and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Everyone has their favorite Nutcracker dance sequence. Invariably, I get excited about the Arabian Coffee dance. I’m always hoping to see it performed with a slinky sensuality that matches the music. And maybe sometimes when I’m arabesque-ing around my living room, I try to emulate that sinuous style. Chandra Kuykendall and Christopher Moulton performed the Arabian dance with perky precision, like a perfect morning cup, hitting each lift and spin with clean efficiency. My daughter loved all of the internationally flavored dances of Act II, but was most tickled by the antics of Mother Ginger. The large puppet contraption, manned by Alejandro Perez, comically cavorted through a series of moves which all elementary aged kids will recognize, such as Orange Justice, the Dab, and the Sprinkler.

I tried to keep the bouncing enthusiasm of my child in check, but when the entire audience became rowdy, whistling and yowling for Sugarplum Fairy, Dana Benton, and Cavalier, Yosvani Ramos, she gleefully let loose. I’d previously attempted to lecture her on how one behaves at the ballet, but, apparently, woo-hoo-ing is acceptable Nutcracker decorum. They were marvelous and absolutely deserved the positive feedback. Yellow Scene editor, De La Vaca, attended a student performance a few days later and personally attests to the glorious irreverence of children engaging this fantastic production, an overwhelmingly gleeful enthusiasm often lost in adult only audiences.

What fun it was to be cheering as one among the more than 50,000 audience members who attend a Colorado Ballet Nutcracker performance annually. As well as offering public Nutcracker performances, the Colorado Ballet serves the community through their Education and Community Department, which company director, Gil Boggs calls one of Colorado’s hidden gems. This branch of the company offers free Nutcracker performances by Colorado Ballet Academy students to Title 1 schools, and steeply discounted $2 ticketed performances to DPS schools.  

The production is so loved that audiences voted it Best Nutcracker in the Nation for Gold Star’s 2016 award. Charmed by the lively sets and sparkly costumes, and the classical choreography after Marius Petipah, the original Nutcracker choreographer, we could quickly see why this production is so esteemed.

What we could not see clearly from the audience, we learned later in a press event held by company director Gil Boggs, is how the beautiful sets and costumes are falling apart. Clara’s nightgown is shredded and torn. The great Mother Ginger puppet is taped together. The Rats must wear goggles to keep costume debris from blinding them inside of the costume helmets. The Nutcracker doll’s head is glued on. Once, during a performance, the Nutcracker’s head popped off, and its arm broke off, sliding into the orchestra pit. And the smell of the Prince’s tunic, we are told, could probably lift the Sugarplum Fairy all on its own.

Emily Speed and Sean Omandam by Mike Watson

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The costumes were created thirty years ago for the San Francisco Ballet, and purchased second-hand by the Colorado Ballet fifteen years ago. They have been worn since then for 28 performances per year. That’s quite a lot of wear, tear, and sweat buildup. The costumes and sets require more and more repair work after every performance, and after each year, and are ready to be retired. This will be the final season for the current set and costumes.

The company has launched #GOFUNDTHEMAGIC, a crowdsourcing campaign to help fund new sets and costumes, so Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker may continue to delight audiences for years to come. Managing Director of Advancement, Adam Sexton, says that $1 million of the $2.5 million price tag has already been covered by company reserves and early donor gifts. The steep price includes costumes that will be handmade in the USA, and a warehouse to store the costumes and sets. One of the five costume companies they will be employing is here in Denver. Boggs says that he has already found two designers, and that he plans to keep the look and feel of the production traditional. He says this will be your grandmother’s Nutcracker. 

The crowdfunding campaign offers the community a chance to invest in a Colorado holiday tradition. Sexton reminds us, “This is Colorado’s Nutcracker. This is Denver’s Nutcracker. We wanted everyone to have a stake in this. The $100,000 [GoFundMe] goal is only 1/25th of our overall campaign goal, but we feel it’s really important to get buy-in from our entire community in building this.” 

Indeed, the Colorado Ballet’s Nutcracker is a holiday institution for the whole community. Those who donate to the campaign can consider themselves part of the magic.

 All images courtest of the Colorado Ballet.

Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Asuka Sasaki, Francisco Estevez and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Emily Speed, Gregory K. Gonzales and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Gregory K. Gonzales and Simon Zinabu Costello by Mike Watson

Gregory K. Gonzales by Mike Watson

Sean Omandam and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Tyler Rhoads and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

The post #GoFundTheMagic – Colorado Ballet to Buy New Nutcracker Costumes, Sets with Community Investment appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.

Asuka Sasaki by Allen Birnbach for Colorado Ballet 

Don Quixote. An age-old story of madness, visions, and love. To see this ballet – a 150 year-old ballet first performed in 1869 – brought to life here in Denver by the Colorado Ballet, is simply magnificent. The Colorado Ballet, performing out of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, were resplendent in the always excellent costuming, stage work that is excellent bar none, and an orchestra that continues to prove its worth to local audiences. Indeed, some of the major applause was for Adam Flatt and his orchestra. 

If you missed the opening night of Don Quixote, fear not. With performances through October 13th, the Colorado Ballet dancers will be on hand and on-stage to delight local audiences with Spanish inspired classical choreography by Marius Petipa, paired with music by Ludwig Minkus, performed live by the Colorado Ballet orchestra. Importantly, this is the first time in ten years that Don Quixote has been performed by the Colorado Ballet, according to artistic director Gil Boggs. “Our dancers are really looking forward to performing this work. The choreography showcases deserve incredible technique and athleticism throughout the performance. The story this story of Don Quixote takes audiences on an adventure with humor and romance – and we can’t wait to share it with Colorado audiences…”, Boggs said in a press release. 

The ballet, which is based on the classic novel, The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha, first premiered in Moscow, Russia in 1869 and remains one of today’s most frequently performed works. Indeed, while we often think of ballet, like opera, as a very highbrow affair, set in the likes of New York, Paris, or Moscow, this ballet is set to classic Spanish songs, in the Spanish countryside – in Gypsy camps, and with a broad spectrum of beauty and age and class represented, telling stories with age-old motifs – which makes it sure to reach across time and age and across social location to touch you. 

On a personal note, as a writer, I consider myself a serious reader as well. I may have fallen in love with Russian and Portuguese classical literature, rendering some books – like Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes and a Hundred Years of Solitude from the famed Colombian surrealist author Gabriel Garcia Marquez – less than readable. It’s the variability of interpretation combined with the delicate if stamina heavy and artistically marvelous presentation in art forms like ballet that bring these to life for those of us who haven’t, or have refused to, read such dense, antiquated fictions. I’m immensely glad for the ability to witness dance bringing to life history at such high levels, technical wonders performed by such skilled dancers as the opening nights principal male lead, Francisco Estevez, who dances the part of Basilio, love interest to Kitri, Asuka Sasaki, whose father has promised her to a very well played, bumbling nobleman..

Francisco Estevez and Asuka Sasaki and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

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Our primary dance writer, Jennifer Arnone, had a chance to speak with Estevez who, to our surprise given his stellar performance, has never before played the role of Basilio or been in a Don Quixote ballet though, he tells us, he “grew up seeing it…”. Excited to be back at their home theater, after pre-season performances at the Vial Dance Festival and the Arvada Center, this being his first performance as a principal dancer on home turf, Estevez says, “this is my first time being involved with Don Quixote and it’s a ballet that I grew up watching. This is my first opportunity as a professional, or just as a ballet dancer, to be involved.” 

Whenever a performance takes place, the performance is imbued with the history of the character, the history of the story, but it’s also brought to life by what the performers bring to the table. These are the ways in which a dancer, an artist, brings characteristics from their own lives and their own histories, their own passions and proclivities, to the role. Estevez tells us, “it’s a very fun role, very technically demanding as well, but for the most part you have a lot of artistry that you can bring to the role. It’s very much a storytelling role… there’s also a lot of comedy involved in the ballet and in the role as well, so there’s a lot of fun little avenues that you can take down [sic] artistically that have been fun to explore.”

Classifying it as a romantic comedy ballet, the term being his own, he says that, “it’s still in the classical realm of ballet, of what you expect, but there’s definitely a lot more freedom… [Don Quixote] has a lot more light heartedness to it, energy, comedy, drama, romance. There just a lot more action.” 

The history of the ballet itself, similarly, can’t be understated. 150 years of the ballet being performed, with another 264 years prior to that of the novel growing in importance since it was first published, makes performing it being part of a massive, growing, and long respected tradition in ballet. This version, Esteves tells us, was “loosely based on the American Ballet Theater version”, because the Colorado Ballet director and others had early careers there. “That company has a rich history of very famous dancers, Baryshnikov being one of them, that have done this roll and had his own version of it as well, when he was director of it, so there’s definitely big shoes to fill. But with that comes a lot of excitement to be able to add to that history a little bit, even here in Denver. The Denver audiences will definitely get a taste of that rich history.” 

The history is important, in both the history that’s passed and in the history being made today. If young dancers like Estevez and Sasaki leading the way in Colorado, bringing traditions from around the world to our humble locale, the future is bright – both for these young dancers and for the arts in our area. We highly recommend heading on over to the Colorado Ballet website to pick up your tickets for the last of the performances before they’re all sold out. There are only five performances left, from October 10-13, two of which are matinees. I would also highly recommend reviewing the upcoming dance schedule for future performances, which includes family favorites The Nutcracker, Peter Pan, and others. 

Beyond the art, beyond the culture, and beyond the opportunity to be downtown in one of the most gorgeous buildings Colorado has, participating in the creation of our local own artistic history is what makes going to the ballet, the opera, and the theater so important. To that end, a brief story: as I was leaving the Ellie Caulkins opera house with my friend Namiq, I was stopped by a group of young black men. Three of them, out in the cold listening to Brothers of Bass Brass Band performing on the steps leading down to 14th street, and they asked why we were so dressed up. When we told them we were at the ballet, they howled in surprise and said that they had always wanted to check out something like a ballet. I told him they should, that it wasn’t just for the rich or for a certain race, that people of color had invented ballet performances and have been dancing on their own stages for centuries, that the most famous ballerina in the world right now is a Black woman, Misty Copeland, who wasn’t even the first woman of color to dance ballet. They were struck by my words and ask for information. I handed over my Don Quixote program, encouraging them to check it out. They hugged me goodbye, a strange moment of connection and impact that I don’t recall experiencing at any other performance in Denver. 

We should all take the time to do our part to encourage the next generation to participate in the arts, whether by becoming artists or art consumers. It’s a benefit to all to have a vibrant arts scene. Kudos to the Colorado Ballet for their work in these areas. 

All images courtesy of Mike Watson for the Colorado Ballet.

Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson2

Asuka Sasaki and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Asuka Sasaki and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson2

Asuka Sasaki, Francisco Estevez and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Fernanda Oliveira and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Francesca Martoccio and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Francisco Estevez and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Francisco Estevez and Asuka Sasaki by Mike Watson1

Francisco Estevez, Asuka Sasaki and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Leah McFadden by Mike Watson

Morgan Buchanan, Nicolas Pelletier and Artists of Colorado Ballet by Mike Watson

Nicolas Pelletier and Morgan Buchanan by Mike Watson

The post Don Quixote Rides into Denver | Colorado Ballet Review appeared first on Yellow Scene Magazine.