An Enchanting Tale To Have World Premier

We are all familiar with the story of the ugly duckling that becomes a beautiful swan, and ballerinas who portray the graceful bird in Swan Lake but what about a swan that becomes a ballerina?  Allegra Kent, former principal dancer with New York City Ballet, wrote Ballerina Swan, an award –winning children's book, which was published in 2012 by Holiday House.  Book illustrations are by Caldecott medal winner Emily Arnold McCully.  This enchanting tale about Sophie, a Central Park swan, who happens upon a children’s ballet class, shows how determination and practice can lead to dreams becoming reality.  Though initially turned away by the teacher, Sophie repeatedly returns to the class in hopes of being allowed in and learning to dance.  Eventually, she is permitted to join the class.  Her graceful, long neck gives her beautiful lines but her webbed feet pose a bit of a problem.  But with proper instruction, support from her classmates and hard work, Sophie earns a spot in the recital's grand finale performance of Swan Lake.

On Sunday, May 19 this delightful story will come to life on stage danced by Eastern Connecticut Ballet in its World Premier Performance at the Garde Art Center in New London.  This world premier will be preceeded by Carnival of the Animals and a short piece choreographed for members of the ECB company.  Don’t miss this chance to see this one-time dance performance.  Showtime is 2pm.  Tickets are $35 and may be purchased by clicking here.

Eastern Connecticut Ballet’s Founder and Executive Director, Lise Reardon, obtained the rights to create this ballet adaptation of Ballerina Swan.  ECB’s Artistic Director, Gloria Govrin, a product of the School of American Ballet, New York City Ballet and a colleague of Allegra Kent, was challenged with the task of selecting the music and then choreographing this ballet.  Working with Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake score and some numbers from Sleeping Beauty, Gloria has created a beautiful interpretation of Ms. Kent’s heart-warming tale. One might wonder, if in some ways, Gloria can empathize with Sophie's plight.

Standing at 5 feet, 10 inches, Gloria related to me that early in her career she was told to give up her dreams of becoming a prima ballerina and to look at opportunities as a showgirl in Las Vegas.  Her height and athleticism would undoubtedly make her a star in that arena. Fortunately, she did not follow that advice, continued to hone her craft, and was discovered by George Balanchine.  Gloria says that Balachine ‘molded my career because of my height.’ Over the years he choreographed roles specifically for her because of her stage presence and unique dance abilities.  Some of these included: Hippolyta (AMidsummer Night’s Dream), Coffee (The Nutcracker), a dance and role that was entirely new in that variation, the Princess (Firebird), and La Bonne Fee (Harlequinade).  It is said that these roles were ‘so stamped with Gloria’s identity that the entrances and exits were marked with her name rather than that of the role.’  She became a Soloist with New York City Ballet in 1963 and her performance career spanned 15 years (1959 – 1974).  During that time she discovered that she also had a passion and love of teaching and so she has for more than 50 years.  Fortunately, in 2010 she brought this passion to the northeast and joined the team at Eastern Connecticut Ballet, relocating here from San Francisco.

Don’t miss this opportunity to revel in this beautiful story of dreams coming true, see some of Connecticut’s prima ballerinas bring this story to life and meet the author, Allegra Kent and choreographer, Gloria Govrin, in this once-in-a-lifetime, world premier performance of Ballerina Swan.  There will be an ice cream social and book signing following the performance.  Books will be available for purchase at the performance.  For information: 860-444-7373.  For tickets click here.  For information on classes and summer dance programs at ECB click here.