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Northwestern Studios’ Children’s Ballet Performs ‘The Fantastic Toyshop’ at Valborg Theatre, May 26-27

A previous performance of "Toy Shop"

May 25, 2012. The children’s ballet, “The Fantastic Toyshop,” will be performed at Valborg Theater on the ASU campus Saturday, May 26 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 27 at 3 p.m. by Northwestern Studios. 

Originally titled “La Boutique Fantasque,” this ballet was first performed in London in 1919. The ballet features a magical toyshop filled with dolls that come to life, much to the surprise of some mischievous Village Girls.

Featured performers are Taylor Bates, Gillian Cone, Eva Cook, Carolina Norman and M. J. Sanqui as the sneaky Village Girls and Courtney Cutillo as the harried Shop Keeper. The life-size dolls are Isabella Cutillo, Kathleen Mansure and Mary Margaret Zrull. The students of Northwestern Studios round out the lively cast.

Also on the program is the divertissement from the ballet “Paquita.” In it’s full-length form, “Paquita” premiered at the Paris Opera in 1846 and was produced a year later in Russia by the great choreographer Marius Petipa. The ballet has a Spanish theme with a gypsy element. A divertissement is a suite of dances that often dominate the final acts of 19th century ballets and may be performed separately. Northwestern Studios’ production replicates the iconic Petipa choreography.

Performing the lead ballerina role is Callista Addis. Soloists are Carrington Haas, Anna Jobe, Laura Price and Carolyn Ward. Featured dancers are Madison Casey, Makayla Church, Laurel Lacey, Grace Owen, Kelly Perry and Emma Ringler. The ballet’s corps performers are Lily Cavanaugh, Eva Cook, Isabella Cutillo, Kylie Dolbier, Alyssa Frieburg, Elizabeth Heaton, Elaine Mansure, Olivia Michael, Hannah Zimmerman and Mary Margaret Zrull.

Northwestern Studios’ will present their “Jazz & Tap Revue” on Thursday, May 24 at 7 p.m. and Friday, May 25 at 7 p.m. The award winning competition dance team, the Northwestern Starz, will be featured, as well as upbeat jazz, tap, hip-hop and modern dance. There will be a special performance by the students of Northwestern Studios’ ballroom instructor Robin Lane.

Tickets are $7 for children and students, $10 for adults and may be purchased at the Valborg Theatre box office Tuesday, May 22 and Wednesday, May 23 from 3 – 6 p.m., or by phone, 828-262-3063, during those hours, or online at www.thearts.appstate.edu. Valborg Theatre is located on the ASU campus on West Howard Street, behind the Turchin Center for Visual Arts. For more information go to www.northwesternstudios.com.