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Carole Mikita ReportingAfter shortening its season because of financial struggles, and agreeing to a new contract with its dancers, Ballet West begins 2006 with a world premiere.
Artistic Director, Jonas Kage, set the bar quite high, challenging costumers, set designers and builders, the props crew and, of course, his dancers with a brand new production of 'Romeo and Juliet'.
David Boucher, Fight Coach: "You won't see better swordplay out of dancers, I don't care where you go in the world, than you're gonna see right here in this production 'cause these guys are just so good."
With 52 productions of 'Romeo & Juliet' under his belt, David Boucher is pleased with the skills these guys have developed. It's not easy, he says, to pick up a sword and make it look real.
But nothing about this production falls under what they usually do. Creating a world premiere calls for taking chances, and in Ballet West's case, looking beyond financial problems and aiming to come back even stronger.
Jonas Kage, Ballet West Artistic Director: "In the midst of all the struggles that all the arts organizations have today, and the cuts we had to do and all of that stuff, it's wonderful to be able to start our season now. As it starts these days, after 'nutcracker' with something brand new, so we're happy about that."
Brand new to a lead role is Peggy Dolkas, as 'Juliet' from the corps de ballet, a star is born.
Peggy Dolkas, 'Juliet': "'Romeo & Juliet' is my favorite ballet, and to get to work with Jonas and to get to create a whole new side to it is pretty exciting. And to premiere it, I think, is every dancer's dream."
On top of all that, opening night is Peggy's birthday. There are actually three different casts for this ballet. "Romeo and Juliet" opens next Friday, February 10th and runs through the 18th. Ballet West has added a performance on February 14th, Valentine's Day.
