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Event
The Snowman
Imagine awakening to a world of new fallen snow. You build a snowman, you give him eyes, a nose and a mouth. You tell him secrets and pretend he can understand. Eventually you must go inside and say goodbye. Now imagine your snowman comes alive!
This beautiful story is about the power of friendship, a lonely little boy, the snowman he creates and the wild adventure they share. From the boys mundane world, so exotic through the Snowmans eyes, they travel to the Snowmans wintery world, so magical to James. Whether the creatures on their trail be naughty or nice, James has nothing to fear with the Snowman by his side.
The whole family will not want to miss this magical splendor that CITY OPERA BALLET has in store to open the 2016 holidays on Thanksgiving Weekend! The only ballet of The Snowman performed with live orchestra in the United States, Jennifer Porters reprise of her original choreography (2007) is brought to you by Bellevues own opera ballet company under the baton of Music Director/Conductor, Philip Tschopp. Set to the hauntingly beautiful score and lyrics by Howard Blake and inspired by the beloved book without words (1978) and animated short film by Raymond Briggs, this is a story for everyone who has ever had (or wished to have) an imaginary friend.
Production is by arrangement with G. Schirmer, Inc., publisher and copyright owner.
BALLET BELLEVUE
Nine years after her world premiere of The Snowman, choreographer Jennifer Porter, finds it a bittersweet experience to bring back this ballet, so dear to her heart, to open the 2017 holiday season. The little boy, James, was originally played by her son, Leo, then just 8 years old. While studying the video footage to prepare the 2017 production, she has been overwhelmed with nostalgia. That tiny darling little boy, who frolicked about on stage without a moment of fear or self consciousness, is now sixteen. Leo goes to Seattle Prep, and surprisingly, isnt involved in theater at all. He is an amazing artist, who designs album covers for rappers all over the country and has recently been designing specialty clothing (for fun and PROFIT!). Mom still hopes to get him on stage for The Snowman 2017, maybe as a tree. Returning to enjoy this walk down memory lane is the original Jackie Frost, the mischievous trouble maker, danced by Christina Stockdale, who returns to us from Las Vegs where she currently lives and dances. Kyle Johnson in his lead role as the Snowman also returns from Porters original 2007 and 2008 productions. In the intervening years, Johnson has danced for many great choreographers and become a beautiful and accomplished artist. He is the reason Leo was so comfortable on the stage years ago, and Johnson will no doubt have the same effect on our new James (Caleb Rumsey) who is 11 years old, a 6th grader at Narrows View Intermediate School. Caleb currently studies ballet, hip hop, jazz and tap. Rounding out the cast are the beautiful dancers of BALLET BELLEVUE and students of Ballet Bellevue School, portraying Santa and his reindeer, cats, dolls, penguins, a fox, a Princess and a whole atlas full of dancing snowpeople from different countries with energy and finesse and a lot of sparkling footwork. Also returning from the original production are student dancers Vanessa Hsu, Ana Jojic and Caitlin Compton, now promoted to big kid roles!
Orchestra Bellevue boasts players selected from the finest of the regions instrumentalists (members of the PacificNorthwest Ballet Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, and Auburn Symphony), as well as our communitys top student musicians, conducted by COB Music Director, Philip Tschopp.
CITY OPERA BALLET is a non-profit organization based in downtown Bellevue, dedicated to bringing the finest professional arts to the region through performances of opera and ballet with live orchestra. Featuring Ballet Bellevue, Bellevue City Opera and Orchestra Bellevue, this rare treasure in our city combines a passion for excellence with the dedication to produce outstanding regional talent. CITY OPERA BALLET is the Eastsides only company committed to fully live musical presentations of opera and ballet in classical works, contemporary masterpieces and new works by Northwest artists. Recent projects include Giselle (2014), Stravinskys Firebird (2014), Nutcracker (2014), Opera + Ballet (2015 & 2016), The Marriage of Figaro (2015), Handels Messiah: Ballet/Oratorio (2015), Cosi fan tutte (August 2016) and Romeo & Juliet (October 2016). Following Jennifer Porters The Snowman (Thanksgiving weekend 2016), future productions include Firebird (March 2017), La Traviata (August 2017) and La Boheme (August 2018).
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LocationThe Theatre at Meydenbauer Center (View)
11100 NE 6th Street
Bellevue, WA 98004
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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