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The State Ballet Theatre of Russia presents ‘Cinderella’ at CAC

“Cinderella,” an enchanting story of wishes that really do come true, will be presented by The State Ballet Theatre of Russia at 7 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Community Arts Center, 220 W. Fourth St.

Set to the music of S. Prokofiev and inspired by the timeless fairy tale, “Cinderella” is one of the most magical and hopeful of the storybook ballets. This full-scale production will be performed in two acts and is choreographed by Vladimir Vasiliev, former principal dancer with the Bolshoi Theatre Ballet and “The Best Male Dancer of the 20th Century.”

Founded by legendary dancer and former Prima Ballerina of The Bolshoi Theatre Ballet, Maya Plissetskaya, The State Ballet Theatre of Russia, now under the direction of award-winning dancer and Moiseyev dance company soloist Nikolay Anokhin, presents one of the greatest classical ballets of all time. The Russian ballet troupe has performed in the Netherlands, China, Hungary, Italy, Austria, Yugoslavia, Germany and Japan.

The full-scale production set to the music of Tchaikovsky and based on Russian folklore and German legend follows a heroic young prince as he works to free the beautiful swan maiden from an evil spell. The company has showcased the unparalleled art of Russian ballet to countries throughout the world, and now tours the United States with 55 of Russia’s brightest ballet stars, who bring this romantic tale of true love to glorious life.

Igor Levin, managing director of the Hollywood Entertainment Group and producer of the Russian traveling troupe, has been touring the Russia ballets to Williamsport for the past 10 years.

“When we are on tour, it allows us to have a larger audience see the dancers’ talents and the hard work of their training to be a part of the company,” he said. “Everyone involved with the production works very hard to bring this beautiful story to life.”

A trombonist with a ballet company in Russia, Levin immigrated from Moscow, Russia to the United States 24 years ago to organize a company that would bring Russian ballet to other countries.

“The ballet of ‘Cinderella’ is very popular in Russia and all over the world,” Levin said. “It’s the same story that all people know, but we tell this story without conversation.”

Levin believes that the ballet is the perfect way to tell the story of a young girl seeking her Prince Charming with help from two magical fairies.

“How does a very poor girl become a princess?” Levin said. “It’s how everybody dreams — but we explain all of this by dance, by choreography. This is the most interesting and most important, and everyone will understand what is happening on the stage.”

The State Ballet Theatre’s production of the world’s favorite rags-to-riches story premiered in 2006 to critical acclaim and was heralded by the New York Times, which wrote: “As an overall production ‘Cinderella’ was full of enchantment … this fairy tale came to life with lovely scenery and graceful costumes.”

“As a 10-year-old tradition, the Community Arts Center invites all ticket holders to attend a 50-minute master dance class with the dance company the day of the performance at 4 p.m. on the CAC stage,” said Carla Fisher, director of marketing at the CAC.

Levin notes that while young audiences especially enjoy the performance because of the fairytale story of Cinderella becoming a princess, the ballet appeals to adults as well because it’s a story about people dreaming of a great future and then achieving that future.

“It’s for a lot of people — old people, young people, very young people, and kids,” he said. “It’s like a family show.”

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