Ajkun Ballet Hosts NYC Premiere of ANNA KARENINA
By: Julie Musbach Mar. 27, 2017
Chiara Ajkun brings the passionate love story of Princess Anna Karenina and Count Alexey Vronskiy against the odds of a hypocritical society to life in her newest choreography.
Tolstoj's literary style, the display of thoughts and feelings going through one's mind, inspired choreographer Chiara Ajkun to create a ballet based on the internal monologue. Anna and Alexey's love questions the tacit rules of society, and intertwines with the stories of many other characters who personify the stereotypes of a bigot community.
Chiara Ajkun's internationally acclaimed choreography performed as part of our Face to Face series, which affords the audience a close-up to the performers in the intimacy of Our Studios.
The passionate love story of Princess Anna Karenina and Count Alexey Vronskiy against the odds of a hypocritical society. Married Anna is deserted by society for loving a much younger man.
Tolstoj's literary style, the display of thoughts and feelings going through one's mind, inspired choreographer Chiara Ajkun to create a ballet based on the internal monologue. Anna and Alexey's love questions the tacit rules of society, and intertwines with the stories of many other characters who personify the stereotypes of a bigot community.
Anna and Alexey meet at the train station; he falls in love like he never knew emotion existed. She is amused by this sweet, funny, and passionate young man. Count Alexey Vronskiy wants all of her, impatiently, forever. Princess Anna Karenina struggles at his adoring eyes. Then, they dance. Their breath simply stops. She makes him invincible. He makes her vulnerable. Her laughter plays the strings of His soul, and His desire makes Her know bliss. Vronskiy rejects his bride to be, Kitty. The ongoing war in Russia wounds Alexey. Love can no longer wait and Anna leaves her husband, Count Alexey Alexandrovich Karenin. Karenin retaliates by withdrawing their son, Seryozha. Anna's compassion, friendship, heartfelt grace did no longer matter. Even her brother Stiva, sister in law Dolly, close friend Betsy evade Anna's company. Devastated, Anna turns to morphine. It is the suburban railway station of Obiralovka, place of their first meeting, that claims Anna's life. Or is it the absurdity of a dogmatic society preaching the rules they, themselves, are so ready to break, yet condemning the courage to do so under the sun?
Anna Karenina is performed at the City Center Studios 130 West 56th Street, NYC-NY 10019
Thursday, April 13 at 7:30pm, Friday, April 14 at 7:30pm & Saturday, April 15 at 6:30pm.
Tickets [General Admission $20) are on sale Online: www.ajkunbt.org, By Phone: 212-868-4444 All proceeds of this Event benefit "Creativity Matters" a program designed to support the creation of new Art offsetting rehearsals and costume costs.
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