Nonprofit Willamette Apprentice Ballet presents 'The Kingdom of the Shades'

CORVALLIS - Willamette Apprentice Ballet will present "The Kingdom of the Shades" for its annual spring concert at 8 p.m. Friday, April 10, and Saturday, April 11, at the Majestic Theatre, 115 S.W. Second St.

The title piece refers to Act IV of the 19th century ballet "La Bayadere," originally choreographed by Marius Petipa, with music by Leon Minkus.

Set in India, "La Bayadere" tells the story of a noble warrior, Solor, who falls in love with a temple dancer (a bayadere), named Nikiya. When Nikiya is murdered by a jealous rival, Solor smokes opium to help ease his grief. "The Kingdom of the Shades" is Solor's opium-induced hallucination, in which he sees a vision of his beloved Nikiya multiplied many times over, dancing for him in the kingdom of the dead. Beautiful in its simplicity of unadorned white tutus and unison choreography, "The Kingdom of the Shades" is a repertory staple and a standard of quality for ballet companies all over the world.

Willamette Apprentice Ballet will also perform "Dance at a Banquet" and a new Chinese ballet piece, both choreographed by local Chinese dance teacher and choreographer Mimi Chen. In "Dance at a Banquet," dancers will join with the Character Dance Class from the Corvallis Academy of Ballet and will dance while utilizing cups, plates, and chopsticks as props, and in her new Chinese ballet piece, Ms. Chen has six Willamette Apprentice Ballet dancers performing with brightly colored silk fans.

This year Willamette Apprentice Ballet has four graduating high school seniors, and they will be featured in a new piece, choreographed by director Megan Skinner, in which each dancer depicts a famous female character from literature or historical legend: Katie Capilla will portray "Cinderella," Amanda Nanoski will dance as "Esmeralda," Hannah Rivera will become "Pocahontas" and Ashley Selvey will fall down the rabbit hole as "Alice in Wonderland."

Also on the program will be a modern, male version of the famous solo, "The Dying Swan," choreographed by Matthew Averill and danced by Reed Souther, as well as several pieces performed by students from the Classical Ballet Academy of Portland, directed by Sarah Rigles, and Legacy Dance Company of Portland, directed by Anna Smith. Portland dancers Allegra Carlson and Eric Zimmer will return to Corvallis to perform a new tango fusion piece, choreographed by Zimmer. Lighting design and operation will be provided by Brian Wood and costume design and Construction is by Mariann Jones.

Admission is $14 for adults and $8 for students/seniors, reserved seating. Tickets are available at Inside Out Garden Visions in downtown Corvallis or at the Majestic Theatre box office one hour before each performance.

Willamette Apprentice Ballet is a 501c3 nonprofit student ballet company. Inquiries and donations may be sent to: Willamette Apprentice Ballet, P.O. Box 2748, Corvallis, OR 97339-2748.