Interview: Houston Ballet's Head of Costumes Laura Lynch on Ben Stevenson's THE SLEEPING BEAUTY

In tribute to Artistic Director Emeritus Ben Stevenson's 80th birthday, Houston Ballet stages Stevenson's lush version of the preeminent ballet THE SLEEPING BEAUTY for the first time in 5 years. In Ivan Vsevolozhsky's libretto, Carabosse, an evil fairy, curses Princess Aurora (the Sleeping Beauty). The princess sleeps for a hundred years, only to be saved when her handsome prince, Florimund, awakens her with a kiss.

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THE SLEEPING BEAUTY is a masterwork. The music is composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and the libretto is based on Charles Perrault's fairy tale adaptation of a folktale. However, a large portion of successfully celebrating Stevenson's legacy falls to the performers and the creative team today. For the wardrobe department, Houston Ballet's Head of Costumes Laura Lynch says, "We honor Ben [Stevenson] by keeping true to the design and making sure the show is stage worthy for performance."

While Stevenson choreographed many ballets for Houston Ballet, his 1967 SLEEPING BEAUTY variation marked his transition from successful dancer to successful choreographer. Also, says Lynch, SLEEPING BEAUTY is one of Stevenson's most popular pieces.

Stevenson reimagined the beloved production in 1990 in honor of the ballet's hundredth anniversary. His adaptation was inspired by Nicholas Sergeyev's well-known 1939 staging of the work for the Sadler's Wells Ballet (later the Royal Ballet).

Stevenson was helped by costume and set designer Desmond Heeley, whose designs were also influenced by a much lauded SLEEPING BEAUTY production. Oliver Messel mounted the classic tale for Sadler's Wells Ballet in 1946.

Lynch and her team have worked hard to preserve the look of the original productions. At times, this means preserving and sometimes creating the elaborate headdresses and retaining Heeley's visions of shimmering gold and silver. At other times, because Lynch is also devoted to keeping the look of the original designs-which must be difficult considering that the ballet's color palette runs the gamut from pastels to jewel tones-wardrobe's job involves quite a bit of "dyeing, painting, [and] application of various fabrics and trims."

Fortunately, Lynch has plenty of experience with Stevenson's SLEEPING BEAUTY. Over the years, Lynch has served as Wardrobe Technician, Costume Shop Supervisor and, currently, Head of Costumes for the production.

Thanks to the Houston Ballet team past and present, the gorgeous bit of storytelling that is SLEEPING BEAUTY is gorgeously told. Perrault and Vsevolozhsky follow the Sleeping Beauty as she transforms from a bubbly16 year old to a woman in full bloom. The supporting characters are just as fun. Lynch "adores the Prologue fairies." And design-wise, she is partial to Carabosse's monstrous minions. "Desmond [Heeley] used reflective sunglass lenses for the eye so they flash light each time the monster moves." she says. "It's just so effective."

It's a responsibility Lynch takes seriously. "This is such a recognizable story so it's important that we get it right so that the audience goes on the journey with us."

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THE SLEEPING BEAUTY runs through March 5. 7:30 p.m. on February 25, 26, 27 and March 4 & 5; 2 p.m. on February 28 and March 6; 1:30 pm on February 27 and March 5. Brown Theater, Wortham Theater Center, 501 Texas Ave. 713-227-ARTS. houstonballet.org. $23+

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