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CVYB prepares for new and 'Fancy' ballet (WITH VIDEO)

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August 23, 2009
RPC Photos by April K. Helms Ella Davidson of Medina (seated, left); Sophia Hamed-Ramos of West Akron (seated right); Scotto Hamed-Ramos of West Akron (lying down) and Brittany Gajarsky-Kottler of Copley (standing, right) rehearse a scene from the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet’s production of a ballet based on the Fancy Nancy series.
RPC Photos by April K. Helms Ella Davidson of Medina (seated, left); Sophia Hamed-Ramos of West Akron (seated right); Scotto Hamed-Ramos of West Akron (lying down) and Brittany Gajarsky-Kottler of Copley (standing, right) rehearse a scene from the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet’s production of a ballet based on the Fancy Nancy series.

by April Helms

Special Products Editor

With school just around the corner and summer still going strong, next March is far from most people's minds.

But many are making the most of the remaining summer and taking advantage of back-to-school sales, the dancers, staff and volunteers with the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet have been hard at work preparing for their March performance at the Akron Civic Theatre. In fact, they've been working on preparations for several months.

Click here to see a short video taken at a recent rehearsal.

One of the highlights for the performance, which will be March 13 and 14, will be a new ballet inspired by the popular "Fancy Nancy" series, said Mia Klinger, artistic director.

"I think the story is fitting for a ballet for younger children," Klinger said. "It caught my attention because of the colors. I love the illustrations. I've been looking at the books for a year. I feel very fortunate we could get the rights to do this."

Francis Patrelle, who has returned to choreograph the new ballet, said the illustrator of the books is a dancer, and it shows in the art. Patrelle said one of the challenges of the piece was making the central character, who is sweet but tends to be proper and materialistic, liked by the audience.

"My big concern and my goal is to make Nancy vulnerable and lovable," Patrelle said. "She likes 'things.' Especially in the time we are in now, that can look unattractive. Here, she not just collects but she's generous and she gives things to her friends."

The music is composed by Patrick Soluri, and Patrelle called the score "beautiful," and "very accessible."

Klinger said that fans of "Fancy Nancy" will see elements from several of the books in the ballet.

One of the storylines includes Nancy coaxing her parents into getting her a puppy.

 




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