Southern California Ballet presents ‘Cinderella’
Poway News Chieftain | Rancho Bernardo News Journal
by Emily Sorenson
The Southern California Ballet is presenting a new production of “Cinderella” April 6 and 7 at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.
Featuring the original score by Sergei Prokofiev, the show features entirely new choreography by SCB co-artistic directors Martha Leebolt and Toby Batley. The pair are former principal dancers for the Northern Ballet in Leeds, United Kingdom and are in their second year directing at SCB. Leebolt is also an alum of SCB.
“This ballet has taken so many different forms, from traditional classical ballets to contemporary reimaginings,” said Leebolt and Batley in a press release. “We are excited to create a new version that distills the story to its magical fairy tale beginnings and brings the storytelling up to date to endure for generations of SCB dancers, giving them the fantastic memories and experience that Cinderella has given so many others. The feeling of ownership and pride that comes as a dancer being involved in the new creation of a ballet is irreplaceable.”
The full-length ballet will also feature a completely redesigned set and 50 new costumes to accompany the new choreography.
The new production was made possible by the company’s annual fundraising gala, held on Feb. 9, which raised $17,000 to support the project.
In addition to the dancers from the ballet, the production will feature guest artist David Ward, formerly of BalletMet in Columbus, Ohio, as the Prince. Company dancers from SCB will portray the roles of Cinderella, the Fairy Godmother, the Step Sisters and the Princesses.
San Diego native Isaiah Bindel, who trained at the San Francisco Ballet School and danced professionally with Gregory Dawson’s DawsonDanceSF in San Francisco, will portray the Evil Stepmother. Bindel currently performs with the California Ballet.
The show will feature supplementary choreography from Wendy Cormier, who is choreographing the group market scenes in the character dance style. The new costumes are designed and created by Terry Worley of TUTUTerry in Carlsbad.
A behind-the-scenes workshop will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday at SCB’s studio, 12285 World Trade Drive, Suite K/L for children ages 6 to 14. No previous dancing experience is required and the workshop is free. Participants must register by Friday, March 29 at southerncaliforniaballet.com.
Show times for the ballet are 6 p.m. Saturday, April 6 and Sunday, April 7. Tickets range from $23 to $46 for adults, with discounts available for students, seniors, groups and children.
Tickets are available at the ballet’s website or at powaycenter.com.