Centennial Youth Ballet presents
Giselle: Act II and Other Works Centennial Youth Ballet of the Metro Parks Dance Division presents Act II of Giselle, the quintessential ballet of the Romantic era when floating, ethereal female figures were prominent. Act II opens in a forest clearing near the grave of Giselle, who has died of a broken heart. The otherworldly Wilis emerge to initiate Giselle into their sisterhood, summoned by their queen, Myrtha. The Wilis roam the forest from midnight until dawn ensnaring any man unlucky enough to wander by. Albrecht visits the forest to lay flowers on Giselle’s grave and becomes trapped under Myrtha’s spell. Giselle intervenes and dances with him until dawn. As the Wilis fade into the early morning mist, Albrecht realizes that Giselle has saved his life. The mixed-bill concert also includes a new work by Asia Pyron that is a movement-based tribute to Tammy Wynette, reflecting on her journey as a country icon; an original piece co-created by Rebekah Hampton Barger with the dancers that is a reflection on the pivotal points in our lives that define who we are and who we will become; and Allegro, an original piece by Andrea Greene stemming from the neo-classical tradition based in the 20th century style of ballet exemplified by George Balanchine. Centennial Youth Ballet presented excerpts of Allegro digitally in 2020 but the piece will see its full debut in this weekend’s concert. |