Igor Levin said the story of Cinderella is about having a dream, losing it and then finding it again.
Add to that story luscious music by Sergei Prokofiev, elaborate costumes and sets, and professional Russian ballet dancers, and you’ve got a production Levin said all ages will enjoy.
The State Ballet Theatre of Russia presents “Cinderella” Jan. 20 at Genesee Theatre, which Levin said is a perfect venue to perform the story of a young girl seeking her Prince Charming with help from two magical fairies.
“It’s a good theater for classical ballet. It’s an old traditional theater. The stage, the sound – everything’s the best,” he said.
Levin is producer of the Russian ballet traveling troupe that has been performing at Genesee annually for several years, he said.
A trombonist with a ballet company in Russia, Levin came to the United States 24 years ago to organize a company that would bring Russian ballet to other countries.
“Americans really like Russian ballet,” because of its high classical style, he said. Cinderella was choreographed by Russian ballet dancer Vladimir Vasiliev.
Young audiences will enjoy the performance because “they like seeing Cinderella become a princess,” he said.
Adults like it because, “This is a whole live story from when people dream about a great future and then make it to a great future,” he said.
“Everything they do uses classical ballet style,” he said of the 55-member troupe that started its Cinderella tour Dec. 3. All were trained in Russian classical ballet, he said.
One of his favorite parts in “Cinderella,” he said, is when she and the prince dance the waltz. The melody is beautiful, he said, and one that’s familiar to people around the world.
“Cinderella is one of the greatest classical ballets of all time,” Levin said, “and we’re happy to bring it to the Genesee.”
The Russian ballet troupe has performed in the Netherlands, China, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Yugoslavia, Germany and Japan.
The State Ballet Theatre of Russia was founded by legendary dancer and former prima ballerina of The Bolshoi Theater Ballet, Maya Plissetskaya. The theater is directed by award-winning dancer Nikolay Anohkin.
Sheryl DeVore is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
Cinderella: State Ballet Theatre of Russia
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When: 7:30 p.m., Jan. 20
Where: Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan
Tickets: $22.50-$62.50
Information: 847-263-6300; www.geneseetheatre.com