Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida presents Chipollino

March 3, 9 and 10, 2013.

Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida, nurtured and grown under the direction of Ballet Master Vladimir Issaev, leapt into its 15th Season in the fall, and now that it’s spring, South Florida ballet fans will be treated to a veritable all-you-can-dance salad bar, lead by a brave little green onion, presented by Arts Ballet Theatre’s professional corps of 18 dancers! But no worries, the only eye watering will be from visual delight!

Arts Ballet Theatre will bring back the family favorite “Chipollino” – a beautiful ballet in two acts, choreographed by Ballet Master Vladimir Issaev to the music of Russian composer K. Katchaturian. This ballet is based on Gianni Rodari’s tale about vegetables. It is the story of a naughty “green onion” character by the name of Chipollino who fights the unjust treatment of his fellow garden variety town folk of Lemonia by fruity royalty (Prince Lemon – a truly sour character – and over zealous Chief of Police Tomato) in the garden kingdom.

Through music and dance, “Chipollino” not only tells the fanciful folk tale, but also expresses a much deeper political statement – the struggle of the underclass and the powerful, good versus evil, and the importance of friendship in the face of difficulties. “Chipollino” will capture the imaginations of both adults and children. Internationally renowned Jorge Gallardo designed all of the costumes and the backdrops were designed and created by Elena Bond.

“Chipollino” was originally written by the Italian writer Gianni Rodari, and it became a very popular story in Russia, where composer Karen Katchaturian composed the music for a cartoon version, which was very popular among children and adults. Soon after, Katchaturian wrote the music for an entire three Act Ballet. Vladimir Issaev created his choreography in 1992 for Ballet Concierto of Puerto Rico, where it was received with a great success. It was performed again in Venezuela by the Youth Ballet of Venezuela and, in 1999, by the Georgia Youth Ballet in Atlanta. The premiere in Miami was in 2003 and it ran for four consecutive seasons by audience demand.

Performances will take place at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center on Saturday, March 3, at 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on March 9 at 7:00 p.m., and on March 10 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are $ 25 and can be purchased by phone or at the theaters’ websites.           

Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida
305.948.4777
www.artsballettheatre.org