Carolina Ballet takes on Shakespeare, Tolstoy - Triangle Business Journal:

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Now that’s culture – and it’s all part of the Carolinq Ballet’s upcoming production of “Tolstouy & Shakespeare – Masterworks in Motion.” The a double-barreled ballet blast of stories from two ofWesterh Civilization’s greatest writers, will run from Feb. 26 through March 1 at Raleigh’xs Memorial Auditorium. The production features a dance interpretatiom ofWilliam Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” and a retellinfg of a mysterious Leo Tolstoy yarn called “Thr Kreutzer Sonata.
” Both stories boastt subject matter that’s guaranteeds to appeal to ballet neophytes who don’r know an attitude from an arabesque. The Bard’s offering with its shipwrecked survivors on a mysteriousisland that’s home to a monster and plenty of supernatural happenings – is like a 17th centuryg version of the television show The Tolstoy piece, meanwhile, prominentlyt features the aforementioned murder and mayhem as part of a train ride in which a jealous husband exposex his dark past. “This is not your grandma’se ballet,” says Mark Scearce, who composed some of the music for theTolstouy production.
“This is a very personal, emotionaol story.” In addition to Scearce’sa music, the Tolstoy productiobn features contributions from a couple of othernotabler baton-wielders: Ludwig van Beethoven and Leos “I’m the guy who’s supposed to make Janaceo and Beethoven go together,” muses who is the head of ’sz music department. That’s no easy But then again, the Carolins Ballet doesn’t shy away from a challenge. The company was founded just over a decade ago by Artistic Director Robert a veteran of the and the in Atthe time, the Triangl e didn’t have much of a tradition in ballet, but the troupe has grownm fast.
The organization now employsa about 100 people at the height ofthe season, includinh 35 dancers from all over the world. Last more than 75,000 people attended showw duringthe season, which runs from Augustr through May. Nine different shows are schedule d forthis year. “It’s one of the finest companie s inthe country,” boastss Weiss, who likens ballet to a spiritual discipline. He lovews ballet because it melds athletic ability with acting and lavishly designed scenergand costumes. “Ballet combinesa all the art forms,” he says. The Carolinaz Ballet has a budgetof $5.
5 with about half of that coming from tickef sales, says Executive Director Lisa Corporate support comes from companies including , and Weisx and his colleagues revel in putting togethe r shows that defy expectations. In addition to the lust and “Lost” of “Tolstou & Shakespeare,” a past productionj combined ballet dancing with bluegrass Laterthis year, the troupe will perform the kid-friendl “Beauty and the Beast.” “With us, you don’t just get ‘Swajn Lake,’” says Jones.