Independent Ballet: Five Performances Remaining of PETAH & THE WOLF

Poster and Photo Art by Fae Varriale

Independent Ballet Company's (IBC) newest production, entitled Petah and the Wolf, is a colorful variation of children's favorite, Sergei Prokofiev’s 20^th Century Classic: Peter and the Wolf. It is the musical story of a small, fearless child who plays in the woods and is more than a match for the Big Bad Wolf. Only five more performances of this vibrant story-through-dance remain in this summer's virtual tour.

The production features a vibrant setting by artist Fae Varriale, and is under the direction of Dubhna Rhiadra, with choreography by Dubhna Rhiadra, Deyna Broek and Annamaria Manatiso. The majority of IBC’s performers are controlling their own dance animations, working in concert with each other for larger group animations as they apply in the performance. The result is a mix of technology and individual skill that is delighting audiences everywhere it is presented.

There are differences to this performance that fans of the classic story will note. The most obvious is that the title character of “Peter” is “Petah” as IBC’s version features an adventurous little girl, danced by Deyna Broek. The production uses the Deutsche Grammophon recording with narration by well-know British rock musician/actor Sting, and Claudio Abbado conducting the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Sting’s narration reflects the reality in modern Britain that wolves have long since been hunted into extinction. A wolf found in Britain today would not be shot, as in the classical narration, but captured and put in a zoo. This recording reflects that reality.

In 1936 Sergei Prokofiev was commissioned by Natalya Sats and the Central Children's Theatre in Moscow to write a new musical symphony for children. The intent was to cultivate "musical tastes in children from the first years of school". Intrigued by the invitation, Prokofiev completed Peter and the Wolf in just four days, and it debuted on 2 May 1936. Since its first premiere, recordings of this musical fantasy have featured a host of luminaries and celebrities including Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, Sir John Gielgud, Christopher Lee, Sean Connery, Peter Ustinov, Paul Hogan, Sterling Holloway, Beatrice Lillie, David Bowie, Mia Farrow, Lorne Greene, Sir Alec Guinness, Jonathan Winters, Patrick Stewart, Ben Kingsley, Melissa Joan Hart, George Raft, Carol Channing, David Attenborough, Sharon Stone,William F. Buckley, Jr. Itzhak Perlman, Captain Kangaroo, and Dame Edna Everage.

Because of the technical nature of this virtual performance, IBC asks that guests to performances please be sure to take off any scripted objects to reduce lag - HUDS, RP meters, Mystitools, AOs, scripted clothing items etc. Unlike real ballet performances, this is not a show to come dressed to the nines in, all sparkles and bling-laden.

Performances continue this month through the first weekend in August.

July 7th Fusion Arts Centre

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Amethysta/45/209/22

July 14th Opera Joven

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Opera%20Joven/85/153/24

July 21 Moonlight Smile Peaceful Land - CANCELLED

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Peaceful%20Land/121/186/22

28th July DANCE QUEENS FESTIVAL

LM to be determined ... check back later

August 4th SL Enquirer.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/San%20Jose%20East1/214/17/23

GALLERY OF "PETAH & THE WOLF" IMAGES by Artist, Fae Varriale