Russian ballet has a ball with Prokofiev’s ‘Cinderella’

Marilyn LaRocque

Tuesday, April 16, 2002 | 8:35 a.m.

Sergei Prokofiev's fairy-tale ballet "Cinderella" will weave its enchantment at Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts tonight and Wednesday.

The Tchaikovsky Perm Ballet Theater of Russia will debut a new production of this classical favorite, which has been specifically developed for the troupe's 2002 U.S. tour. The Perm's own full symphony orchestra will back the performances.

Igor Levine, the producer and impressario who is bringing the company to this country, says he is excited about the production. Viacheslav Okonev, a prominent designer from St. Petersburg, designed new costumes and sets, Levine said.

Oleg Vinogradov, ballet master for the Kirov for 25 years and considered the top choreographer in the world, has created new choreography. The huge ball scene and elegant gowns are more beautiful than ever.

"It's a family show," Levine said. "Las Vegas has so many sexy shows and very expensive shows. 'Cinderella' has wonderful music and dancing that children, parents and grandparents can enjoy, and our prices are reasonable."

"Cinderella" is Prokofiev's sixth ballet and was composed between 1941 and 1944. He wanted it to be an allegory of human behavior and relationships. Original choreography was by Rostislav Zakharov; the libretto by Nikolai Volkov. It premiered at the Bolshoi Theater on Nov. 21, 1945, when Galina Ulanova created the title role.

There have been many versions of "Cinderella." Even Mozart composed a score in 1818. The Kirov production at New York's Metropolitan Opera House on Sept. 11, 1964, featured choreography by Konstantin Sergeev. The Balanchine version was first danced by Chicago City Ballet in 1981.

Frederick Ashton choreographed the most frequently performed production for Sadler Wells Company. He set aside political agendas and focused on the traditional fairy tale.

The premiere was at the London Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Dec. 23, 1948, with Moira Shearer as Cinderella (Ashton played an ugly sister). Ashton had designed the role for Margo Fonteyn; however, she was incapacitated by an injury. She premiered the production at the Met on Oct. 18, 1949, and also danced in the Royal Ballet's NBC performance on April 29, 1957.

In addition to "Cinderella," The Perm's repertoire encompasses ballets by composers from Adam ("Giselle") to Tchaikovsky ("Swan Lake," et al) with such diverse titles and styles as "The Fountain of Bakhchisarai," "Checkmate," "Peer Gynt" and "Tango, Tango, Tango."

The company has toured extensively throughout Europe and in Asia since 1973. In honor of Prokofiev's 111th birthday, it chose two of his works, "Romeo and Juliet" in addition to "Cinderella," for its second visit to the United States and will dance in California in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Fresno, Riverside and San Diego, as well as Prescott, Ariz., and Las Vegas.

"We love the United States," Levine said. "There are wonderful concert halls, and the audiences are very nice, very open people."

Levine said he expects the dancers to be "in shock about everything" in Las Vegas. "It is an unbelievable city, a 24-hour city, a living, moving, working city. The hotels. The shows. They're fantastic."

Hometown of The Tchaikovsky Perm Ballet Theater is (not surprisingly) Perm in the Ural Mountains, where, coincidentally, the Kirov took refuge during World War II. The company ranks third in Russia, after Kirov and Bolshoi, and has a history dating back to 1869.

Its modern history began with a performance of "Giselle" opening its first season on Feb. 2, 1926. Its Ballet School is one of the most prestigious training institutions in Russia, where all of the company's dancers are drawn from. The legendary Pavlova, who became prima ballerina at the Bolshoi, was a graduate.

Prima ballerina Elena Kulagina and principal Natalia Moiseeva-Poleshchuk will perform the title role, while principals Vitally Poleshchuk and Roman Geer will share the role of Prince. Kulagina holds the two highest Russian national titles -- honored artist and people's artist of Russian Frederation. She has danced most of the famous prima roles such as Odette-Odile in "Swan Lake," Aurora in "Sleeping Beauty" and Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet."

Geer began dancing at age 8 and finished his studies at the Perm Ballet School in 1991. He began in the company's corps de ballet and was soon promoted to soloist, then principal dancer and is known for his interpretations of the Prince and Romeo.

Kyrill Shmorgoner (honored artist of Russia) is artistic director and chief ballet master. Vadim Myunster (honored artist of Russia) is principal conductor. General director is Anatoly Pitchkalev.