Photo by Burnie Flake Count Dracula, performed by Robert Michalski, with his intended victim, Lucy Westenra, performed by Regina Willoughby, with the damned and undead in the cemetery scene from Act II of Columbia City Ballet’s cult classic, Dracula: Ballet With A Bite.
Columbia City Ballet’s
Dracula: Ballet With A Bite,
already known as the coolest dance show yet, returns to the Koger Center with a fresh approach and new blood to open the company’s 50th anniversary season.
“Promising to live up to the reputation as the grown up Halloween event, this year’s 50th anniversary production will be hotter than ever,” says Executive and Artistic Director William Starrett.
Count Dracula and his Brides of Darkness are back with new choreography, costumes, and palpitating music in this cutting–edge production. New casting offers fresh blood to performances of the “must see” Halloween dance favorite, called “the coolest dance show yet to play the Koger Center” by The State newspaper.
As part of the Columbia City Ballet’s 50th Anniversary season of giving back to the community, the company will partner with fellow non–profits for every production this year and lower membership prices by 40% as a way of thanking the community for its support over the past 50 years. For
Photo by Burnie Flake Chosen maiden, Kathryn Smoak, in the seductive scene at Count Dracula’s Transylvanian castle in Act I of Columbia City Ballet’s cult classic, Dracula: Ballet With A Bite.
Dracula, the company partnered with The American Red Cross for a blood drive on October 17at the company’s studios at 1545 Main Street in Columbia.
Dracula is a story of love and seduction. The young and ambitious real estate tycoon Jonathan Harker is trying to secure the listing of Castle Dracula. Jonathan is seduced by Count Dracula’s three wives; Jonathan’s daughter, Victoria, is kidnapped by Count Dracula; and his best friends’ lives are in jeopardy. It all comes to a blood curdling climax that none will want to miss in this Bram Stoker classic on Halloween weekend.
Robert Michalski, who returns to the company this season, takes the lead as Count Dracula in the dark romantic fable. Ballerina Regina Willoughby returns as Lucy Westenra, Dracula’s intended victim.
Additional casting includes Principal Dancer Peter Kozak as Jonathan Harker, Principal Dancer Mark Krieger dancing as Arthur Holmwood and Dracula’s three maidens led by Soloist Alicia White.
The pulsating rock/jazz musical score is composed by the late Thomas E. Semanski. Critics say it is “perfect for the terror and seduction scenes.” Dracula, Semanski’s first ballet, won the popular music award from the American Society of Composers, as well as the national ASCAP Award.
The performance promises haunting visuals and graphic special effects by Columbia City Ballet Technical Director Barry T. Sparks.
In continuing the company’s commitment to education, all students tickets for the Thursday, October 28, performance are only $10 with a valid student identification, giving students a 72% savings off the regular ticket price.
Performances will be 7:30 p.m. each evening on Thursday, October 28; Friday, October 29; and Saturday, October 30, at the Koger Center. Adding to the Halloween festivities will be an adult costume contest during the October 30 performance with a $100 cash prize and other gifts.
General ticket prices range from $12–$35 and can be purchased at 251-2222, all Capitol Ticket outlets, and online at www.capitoltickets. com. For more information, please visit www.columbiacityballet.co m or call 799-7605 or 800- 899-7408.
The 17th presentation of Dracula: Ballet With a
Bite is sponsored by Colonial Life and Michelin.
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