Follow the Yellow Brick Road

Danse Etoile Ballet Presents The Wizard of Oz

By Kristen Beckman

Danse Etoile Ballet will perform a familiar favorite - The Wizard of Oz - on January 27-29 at the Broomfield Auditorium. The family-friendly ballet retells L. Frank Baum’s classic story chronicling the travels of Dorothy along with the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion as they follow the yellow brick road.

“The Wizard of OZ has that magical appeal of a young girl’s journey and lots of fun characters, and it can be adapted well in a dance form,” said Danse Etoile Ballet Director Marie-Jose Payannet. “Like with all the stories we are choosing, we will put a Danse Etoile stamp on it, which means we are not going to reproduce the movie or another production but will give the beloved story a new way to be seen.”

That will include a Wicked Witch who is completely different from what you would expect, promised Payannet.

“Along with the 13 company dancers, this year we are adding eight dancers from our younger classes to play the munchkins and the mice,” added Payannet. Dancers all audition and those chosen participate in extensive training and rehearsals.

“The show incorporates classical ballet but also contemporary moves and jazz,” said Payannet. “It is super fun, but also super technical. The acting is really important, too, in this type of story. The dancers are working hard to portray their characters well.”

The production will include musical contributions from two

Colorado composers, Bruce Klepper and Dave Heffner.

“The entire music choice is pretty eclectic, very lively, and different,” said Payannet. In addition, the production will feature the artwork of Colorado artist Sarah Winkler on backdrops and videos created by Christopher Darling.

Show times are Friday, January 27, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, January 28 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, January 29 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door or at https://bit.ly/3H1JU39.

Payannet grew up in Southern France where she studied ballet at the Conservatory of Classical Dance and Music in Avignon. She moved to Colorado in 2000 and opened Danse Etoile in August 2004.

Danse Etoile is dedicated to producing quality artistic performances, programs, and instruction for dancers of different backgrounds, levels of training, and talent. Its mission is about building self-esteem through hard work, learning self-discipline, responsibility, and commitment; and the value of working as part of a larger community.

“Danse Etoile Ballet’s reputation has grown over the years as we offer three different types of performances every season, all of which are very affordable for families,” said Payannet. “Every show is unique and has a very original flavor.”

After The Wizard of Oz, the company will begin work on the story of The Brontë Sisters, which it will perform in June.

For more information visit www.danseetoile.org