Local Limelight
ARTICLE PACIFIC FESTIVAL BALLET PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT YEAGER
A Performance of Biblical Proportions: NOAH’S ARK APPEARS IN THE CONEJO VALLEY
O
n Saturday, May 20, Pacific Festival Ballet will present an encore performance of “Noahʼs Ark,” a multimedia presentation featur-
ing ballet, contemporary dance, aerial work, video and special effects performed by guest artists and select students from California Dance Theatre, the companyʼs training school. Another bravado is the original 90-minute score recorded in Russia with a 60-piece orchestra. The second collaboration between Pacific Festival Balletʼs Artistic Director Kim Maselli and composer Eric Allaman, “Noahʼs Ark” is a retelling of the well-known biblical story. This theatrical ballet trans-
“We have created a beautiful balance in ‘Noahʼs Ark’,’” noted Eric Allaman, Pacific Festival Ballet’s resident composer. “The music had to reflect the magnitude of the story, from the gathering of animals, to the devastation of the Flood and on to the promise of a new beginning. There is a rich tapestry of emotion woven into the score.”
ports the audience on a melodic voyage as this timeless saga is brought to life through dance.
Pacific Festival Ballet’s out-of-the-box thinking is a signature
“Our production is of epic proportions,” observed Maselli, “rich in
of the company, but the dazzle element for which they have
drama, colorful characters, hope and a storyline that allows me to frame
become known is also there. “One of our dancers who is also
Noah's personal journey against the most compelling of backdrops.”
an aerialist will be performing the role of the Dove on silks sus-
Such an undertaking went beyond the bounds of mere ballet, Maselli
pended 20 feet in the air,” reminiscent of something one might
observed, “which is why I felt inspired to take a multimedia approach
see in Cirque du Soleil, Maselli noted. “It is breathtaking the way
to telling Noahʼs tale.” The flood and other scenes are film-projected
this conveys a sense of flight and freedom.”
behind the dancers on a 40-foot screen, delivering a powerful impact.
Pacific Festival Ballet presents “Noahʼs Ark” on Saturday, May 20
With a blank canvas but limited budgets, the company was chal-
at 2 p.m. and again at 7 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.
lenged to find creative ways to remain faithful to the storyʼs essential
Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com, in person at the
message while conveying the scale of its undertaking. The innovative
Civic Arts Plaza box office or by phone at 800.745.3000. More infor-
use of hand puppets allowed one dancer for each animal represented
mation can obtained at the companyʼs website, PacFestBallet.org,
while suggesting the notion of two by two.
or by calling 805.906.2087.
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Conejo Valley Lifestyle | May 2017