Cedar Lake Ensemble brings multimedia ballet to Las Vegas

Friday, May 27, 2005 | 8:34 a.m.

New York dance troupe Cedar Lake Ensemble visits UNLV's Judy Bayley Theatre this weekend with three performances of its full-length ballet "Beyond the Red."

With a video backdrop to advance its storyline, contemporary and classical ballet moves and a live violinist, the performance is designed to be a multimedia production.

Set in a "bohemian baroque" setting, it tells the story of a young couple from different backgrounds who face the challenges and temptations that confront them.

"It's about two lovers going through this wonderland," said artistic director and CLE resident choreographer Benoit Swan-Pouffer. "It's kind of 'Alice in Wonderland' with lots of twists. Somebody will bring them to this land where there are temptations."

Swan-Pouffer, a former member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, created "Beyond the Red" with videographer Adam Larsen and sound designer Brett Jarvis.

The performance will be the New York City company's first in Las Vegas. Calling itself an "innovative contemporary ballet company," Cedar Lake Ensemble was formed in September 2002 by Lucy Ballard and Nancy Walton Laurie, and mixes theater with dance.

The two lovers, the Vixens and the Trickster are among the 17-member cast. Violinist Anna Kennedy accompanies the production.

"It's pretty intense. It's a very high-tech production," Swan-Pouffer said.

Additionally, he said, "It is emotional. You have stress, anger, you have love. The way they were raised and (they way they) think about love and life is different."

Swan-Pouffer said that he was inspired by the stories of "Romeo and Juliet" and "Sleeping Beauty," but wanted a new angle.

The production, Swan-Pouffer said, "It's a patchwork of all my productions. My background is mostly classical. When I came to the states I was introduced to American techniques."