ANNAPOLIS, Md. (January 24, 2012) – Ballet Theatre of Maryland (BTM), the state’s premier professional ballet company, presents two one-act ballets on a single performance: The Scarlet Letter and Firebird. Performances are Fe uary 24 at 7:00pm, Fe uary 25 at 7:00pm and Fe uary 26 at 2:00pm at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis.
The Scarlet Letter, based on the American novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne, tells a tale of passion, forbidden love, revenge and redemption. BTM’s Kathryn Carlson portrays heroine Hester Prynne, an adulteress living in a Puritan New England town. Brian Walker dances the role of Reverend Dimmesdale, her secret lover, and Alden Taylor and Django Allegretti alternately play Roger Chillingworth, Hester’s husband. Mistress Hibbins, the witch that conspires with Chillingworth to enact revenge on Dimmesdale, is played by Ballet Mistress Meagan Helman.
The Firebird, danced to the music of Igor Stravinsky, is based on a well-known Russian folktale of magic, adventure and love. Prince Ivan (Calder Taylor/Joshua Burnham) captures the Firebird (Erica Wong/Nicole Kelsch) in an enchanted garden. In exchange for her release, he is given a magic feather, which he may use to summon her in a time of need. He falls in love with an enchanted princess, Tsarevina (Valerie Walker/Erica Wong), who is a prisoner of the evil Kashcheia (Alyssa Johnson/Meagan Helman). Prince Ivan calls on the aid of the Firebird to help him defeat Kashcheia and her monsters to free the princess.
Tickets are $45 for adults (including all handling fees), with discounts available for seniors, military, students and children and are available through Maryland Hall’s box office at 410.280.5640 or mdhallarts.org. More information about the show is available online at www.balletmaryland.org.
For patrons of the Sunday matinee, BTM has partnered with The Wild Orchid to offer The Wildfire Package – a pre-performance unch at The Wild Orchid and a ticket to the matinee. The Wildfire package makes a great Valentine's gift. Brunch begins at 11:00am and includes your choice of entree, a dessert of Smith Island cake and a complimentary mimosa. Tickets are $80 per person and are available through the BTM office: 410.224.5644. Patrons already in possession of a ticket to Sunday’s show can add on the unch for $35 (a portion of the unch proceeds benefit the ballet).
About Ballet Theatre of Maryland
Ballet Theatre of Maryland’s mission is to provide Maryland with a fully professional ballet company and training academy that meets the aesthetic and recreational needs of Maryland through expressive movement by:
Performing known and original classical and contemporary works of artistic integrity; Creating new eclectic works that express both American and Maryland culture; Educating the community by providing a complete training program as well as other services that make the ballet more accessible to the underserved; Preserving the tradition of the classical form, while promoting the continual evolution of dance as an art.
Contact:
Adrienne Westlake
410.224.5644
Adrienne.westlake@balletmaryalnd.org
