Ballet Continental presents Don Quixote as season opener

Ballet Continental of Southern Arizona proudly opens its 22nd season with a ballet classic masterpiece, Don Quixote, first performed in 1869.

Performances are Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. at Sahuarita Auditorium, 350 W. Sahuarita Rd.

Ballet Continental is a local dance company which includes dancers from the Santa Cruz Valley and Pima County. Founded and directed by Lisa Baker DiGiacomo, Ballet Continental has been bringing classical dance to the communities throughout Pima and Santa Cruz counties for the past 29 years.

The ballet, with a musical score by L. Minkus, is set in three acts and tells the story of Don Quixote’s obsession with ancient chivalry, The role of Don Quixote, performed by guest artist Darryl Mrockowski, rejoices in heroic tales and beautiful ladies. In a vision he beholds the lady of his dreams, Dulcenia, performed by soloist, Clarissa Quiring.

Principal dancers Brittani Johnson and Rebecca Weis dance the role of Kitri, who loves Basilio, danced by guest artist Nicholas McLain. However, Kitri’s father, Lorenzo, performed by guest artist Julie Arbogast, wishes her to marry Gamache, a foppish nobleman, played by actor/playwright Rick McAtee, but Kitri refuses.

The market scene thrives with bullfighters, spirited dances and plenty of action as Ballet Continental’s principal dancer Allison Stirling and Darby Downs dance the lead flower girls.

The story continues through the gypsy camp, where the romantic scarf dance with Kitri and Basilio takes place, along with the powerful, gypsy dances. Principal dancers Lindsey Cain and Katherine Howard will partner guest dancer David Kingsford in an alluring and passionate Gypsy Pas de Deux.

Next is the famous windmill scene where Don Quixote and Sancho Panza, performed by guest artists Bob Reavis, enter and Quixote attacks the windmill, mistaking it for a menacing giant.

Sancho and Quixote lie down to rest imagining they are surrounded by lovely ladies. Principal dancers VanWagenen and Howard share the role of Cupid, while Cain and Stirling share the role of the Queen of the Dryads.

The next scene is at the tavern, where Kitri and Basilio celebrate with their friends, while Lorenzo and Gamache continue their search for Kitri.

In conclusion all the townspeople gather to celebrate the wedding of Kitri and Basilio. This scene is filled with wonderful dance, costumes and color.

In addition to the company’s 27 dancers, Ballet Continental is proud to feature guest dancers: Kendall Fox, Sam Gay, Josh Gay, and David Kingsford.

The ballet’s set design and construction work is by Steven Bacchus and Mike Pavlikowski. Together, with Ballet Continental dancers, they create magic on the stage.

“The all new and beautiful costumes adorn the dancers and they are spectacular,” says director Lisa Baker DiGiacomo. “You will not want to miss this fabulous production of Don Quixote.”

For further information please contact Ballet Continental’s office at 326-7887.

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