To celebrate the return to the Jubilee stages, The Alberta Ballet and The Banff Centre have joined together to present a spectacular new full length production. GayCalgary.com contacted The Alberta Ballet to find out more about this celebration and new Canadian art creation, that will be hitting Alberta’s Jubilee stages. “Romeo and Juliet captures the tragic tale of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers with both spectacle and intimacy. This original work is set to the orchestral genius of Sergei Prokofiev’s score, which will be performed live by the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra and the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra.”

The production of Romeo and Juliet was choreographed by Alberta Ballet’s Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître and it promises to bring Alberta Ballet into a new era. “Our company is ready to create a production of this magnitude”, states Grand-Maître, “The dancers and our production crew are technically and artistically ready.” This is not the first time Grand-Maître has tackled this tragic tale, it is his favorite classic to choreograph. Grand-Maître has received much praise for his simple creation of Romeo and Juliet for the Hartford Ballet. The critic with The Republican American commented that Grand-Maître’s ballet, “…makes words seem superfluous in the face of movement and music…a production that stunned its audience with its raw sensuality and emotion.” Grand-Maître was also responsible for the enormous success of the Franco rock opera Romeo et Juliette.

“This grand production of Romeo and Juliet would not be possible with out the exceptional talents of The Banff Centre”, Grand-Maître adds.

Under the mentorship of some of Canada’s best stage designers and artisans, participants in The Banff Centre’s training program in theatre craft have created more than 100 costumes, and one of the most intricate sets to be seen.

“This co-production signals an exceptional partnership between The Banff Centre and Alberta Ballet,” says the Centre’s president and CEO, Mary Hofstetter. “By pooling our resources we have been able to create a splendid new production which showcases the talents of Alberta Ballet and The Banff Centre, and provides hands-on experience for young artists in a multitude of disciplines. And of course we, the audience, will be treated to a wonderful made-in-Alberta variation of this timeless ballet.”

This production features Alberta born dancers, Tanya Dobler as Juliet and Kelley McKinlay as Romeo, both of whom passionately breathe life into their characters on stage.

The acclaimed design team for Romeo and Juliet that will bring renaissance of Verona to Alberta stages includes Martine Bertrand, Costume Design; Pierre Lavoie, Lighting Design; Claude Lemelin, Soundtrack Design; and Guillaume Lord, Set Design. Spectacular fight sequences have been directed by Larissa Yancheck.

Do not miss the opportunity to see one of the pinnacles of 20th century ballet. Romeo and Juliet captures the tragic tale of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers with breathtaking spectacle and heartbreaking intimacy. Grand-Maître’s production of Romeo and Juliet will be one of the largest and most extravagant original productions ever mounted in Alberta, marking a new era for Alberta Ballet and for arts lovers across the Province. Join in this spectacular celebration and witness the creation of new Canadian art.

Alberta Ballet presents
Romeo and Juliet
October 14 - 15 at 8 pm
Jubilee Auditorium
Tickets at Ticketmaster, 299-8888
www.albertaballet.com
www.banffcentre.ca
Pictured above Alberta Ballet Artists Tanya Dobler and Kelly McKinlay. Photo by Trudie Lee