News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Logan McSwain, communications manager
704.372.0101 x2765
lmcswain@ncdance.org
Photographs: Available at http://www.ncdance.org/ImageLibrary.asp. Please credit photographer.
North Carolina Dance Theatre’s Matinee Magic Series opens with Peter & The Wolf and Carnival Of The Animals
September 20 & 21, 2008
Charlotte, N.C. – North Carolina Dance Theatre’s (ncdance.org) 2008-2009 Matinee Magic Series offers three family-friendly matinees. Mark Diamond’s Peter & The Wolf and Carnival Of The Animals, September 20 and 21, opens the Matinee Magic Series, which also includes Nutcracker in December and Snow White in May.
“Peter and The Wolf and Carnival Of The Animals are suitable for audiences of all ages, but are geared especially towards children,” said choreographer Mark Diamond.
Peter & The Wolf and Carnival Of The Animals are both ballets with strong ties to the music composed for them. In Peter & The Wolf, composed by Prokovfiev, each character is represented by a different instrument. Peter is represented by the strings, his Grandfather by the bassoon and the Wolf by the French horn. Diamond said he is doing a traditional version of the story. “The music is innocent and the story is traditional so I wanted to stick to the original story line,” said Diamond.
The choreography for Peter is very adventurous and playful. Aggressive, animalistic movements are used for the Wolf, while the Cat is sly and slithery, the Bird happy and playful, and the Duck funny and clumsy. Diamond describes the Hunters as comedic characters always shooting at trees instead of their actual target.
Carnival Of The Animals is a plotless musical romp featuring 25 different animals. Set to Saint-Saëns music, Diamond said the composer drew similarities between types of people and animals, to compose the music of this light-hearted ballet. The costumes used in the piece further illustrate how the animals symbolize certain types of people. The Penguin is in a tuxedo, the Elephants in tutus and the Tortoise in a helmet. Other animals in Carnival Of The Animals include Jellyfish, Birds, Seahorses and Monkeys.
Mark Diamond
Mark Diamond has choreographed and taught in Europe, Japan and the United States since retiring from the Hamburg Staatsoper in Germany in 1983. He has choreographed over 20 ballets for NC Dance Theatre and is program director for NC Dance Theatre 2. In the summer he serves as associate artistic director and resident choreographer for Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux at the Chautauqua Institute. Before joining Dance Theatre Diamond was resident choreographer for the Cincinnati Opera, founded Ballet Artists Cincinnati, and received grants from the Ohio Arts Council, the New England Foundation for the Arts and others.
Tickets & Subscriptions
Peter & The Wolf and Carnival Of The Animals is part of the Matinee Magic Series, and through the Series, NC Dance Theatre continues its commitment to providing quality family programming. Matinee Magic Subscribers meet characters after each performance, take home a free poster signed by the stars and enjoy a complimentary snack. Matinee Magic Subscriptions for the 2008-2009 Season are currently available, in addition to NC Dance Theatre’s standard subscription packages. Subscriptions are available online at ncdance.org, by phone at 704.335.1010 or in person at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Box Office.
Peter & The Wolf and Carnival Of The Animals
Dates: September 20 & 21, 2 p.m.
Location: Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C.
Tickets: Tickets start at $25
Ticket Purchasing Details:
Online: ncdance.org
By phone: 704.372.1000
In person:
Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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Details:
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 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.
Peter & the Wolf and Carnival Of The Animals is presented by McGuireWoods LLP.
Matinee Magic Series is presented by the Dale F. Halton Foundation.
To find out more about NC Dance Theatre visit ncdance.org.
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