THE LAKE OF SORROWS Expands on Swan Lake's Dark Essence

From two-dimensional melodrama to in-depth character study

The beautiful princess is cursed to live her life as a swan, while another in disguise steals her prince. Swan Lake paints this tragic heroine into the canvas of our culture. But what of Rothbart, the "evil" sorcerer who has delivered this fowl fate? Our conceptions of good and bad are often changed with the introduction of a compelling backstory.

A collaborative trio - playwright E. Thomalen, director and choreographer Andrea Andresakis, and composer Edward W. Hardy - will present "The Lake of Sorrows" an adaptation of the timeless ballet, "Swan Lake" as part of the annual Summerfest New York Theater Festival. The performances will be at 9pm on August 22, 2017; 6:15pm on August 23, 2017; and 3:30pm on August 26, 2017 at the Hudson Guild Theater.
Tickets can be purchased online at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2954900 for $23.

"The Lake of Sorrows" re-tells the story of "Swan Lake", the ballet made famous by composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, in music, dance, and spoken word. It is a cautionary tale about love. This stirring adaptation also elaborates on the villain Rothbart, trying to better understand his motivations in cursing a seemingly innocent young woman.

Having performed several productions of "Swan Lake", including the Royal Ballet, with Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn, Ms. Andresakis has enjoyed finding a new way into this classic story.

Tchaikovsky's music will be present in the new work. "We are again lucky to have Edward W. Hardy whose violin solo performance was memorable in the production of "Pearl Diver," notes author E. Thomalen.

Mr. Hardy will be performing selections of themes from Tchaikovsky's ballet suite along with his original composition. "Edward W. Hardy plays the violin superbly" comments The New York Times.

The first performance of the ballet at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow in February, 1877 did not go well. Despite this initial setback, "Swan Lake" has become essential canon. The story of the ballet was cobbled together by Tchaikovsky from many different Russian and German folk tales. One might wonder if it the folk tales themselves drew on still older and universal themes about coming of age, love and desire.

CREATIVE TEAM

E. Thomalen, adaptive author, is intimately familiar with the famed Russian composer's work. Thomalen adapted Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker" as: Clara's Christmas Dreams, which was performed Off-Off-Broadway in 2004 and received a favorable review in the NY Times. In addition, his work "The Pearl Diver" was seen at last year's Summerfest.

Edward W. Hardy is a critically acclaimed violinist, violist and composer who has performed throughout the United States and abroad. Notable works include Off-Broadway's "The Woodsman" and last year's "The Pearl Diver".

Andrea Andresakis, director/choreographer, has dozens of credits including Broadway, Lincoln Center, Radio Center, City Center, Off-Broadway, Regional, National and International tours. She is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.

Performed by: Derek Nicoletto, Anie Delgado, Zoe Lau, Trevor Van Uden, Kelly Vaghenas, Joseph Rose, Nina Deacon, Song Ravinan, Lalasa Cuomo, Michael Gene Jacobs, Erica Moore