Roxey Ballet Will Present Contemporary Version of CARMEN and Revival of FRIDA in February

This February, Roxey Ballet will present an Evening of Love and Romance with its contemporary re-telling of Carmen and revival of Frida from February 7th through February 16th in it's intimate, home-studio theater located in Lambertville.

For the 2020 Season, the professional dance troupe will highlight strong and powerful women and their stories, beginning with "Carmen" and "Frida" during this February presentation and continuing for the remainder of the performing year." said Mark Roxey, Executive Director of Roxey Ballet.

The original version of Carmen captured and scandalized audiences throughout the world when French Dancer, Master Roland Petit, first presented the 45-minute tale of seduction and betrayal at Prince's Theatre in London in 1949. The central love duet for Carmen and Don Jose is said to be among the most sensual couplings ever to be put on the stage.
Carmen is a sensually vivid and passionate story of freedom, love, betrayal, and treachery loosely based on the fabled temptress of Seville. The story follows the downward spiral of Carmen. Mark Roxey's contemporary ballet choreography and staging invokes a stylized abstract décor ideal for both dance lovers and audiences who have never been to a ballet before. We are introduced to Don Jose, danced by Brandon McGuirk, a man distracted by the temptation of love from his mistress Carmen, danced by Chanmee Jeong, but is reminded of his commitment to his wife Michaela, danced by artist Moe Izumi. Carmen is a cigarette factory worker along with her five factory friends, danced by Christina Holl, Tuiana Balzheiv, Sang Jee Lee, Azusa Okamoto and Pinja Sinisalo. Carmen has many admirers including Escamillo, a Toreador danced by Hank Hueng, Zuniga, a captain danced by Laurance Corbett, Morales who is a soldier and smuggler, danced by Aripatrik Viherlahti and a cigarette factory man, danced by Rai Garcia.

This rendition of Carmen follows a romance twist that creates artistic depth in the vibrant characters, whose raw emotion is contagiously transmitted to audiences. Who will fall to the tragic consequences and who will survive?

The two week of performances will deliver stories of powerful women in dance includes Roxey Ballet's Frida, based on the life of Mexican Artist Frida Kahlo incorporating Mexican Folk music and dance to depict her life of struggle and strength after being resigned to a wheel chair from a bus accident which left her paralyzed. This moving tribute is choreographed by Giovanni Ravello who skillfully communicates the intense relationship between Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera, the chronic physical pain she experiences after the accident enduring more than 30 surgeries and, finally, having part of her leg amputated months before she died at the age of 47 in 1954. Even though her art is called surrealist she painted her reality, her pain and the immense love for her husband who cheated on her countless times even with her own sister.

The evening will also include guest performances by Lisa Botalico, a world class flamenco dancer with pre-professional trainee dancers of the Roxey Ballet in partnership with The Mill Ballet School of Lambertville, NJ to round out the evening tribute to women of strength.

This production of Carmen and Frida will be presented from Friday, February 7th through Sunday, February 16th. Performances will be held at the up-close-and-personal Canal Studio Theater located in Lambertville at 243 North Union Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530. Ticket prices range from $39- $45. This Evening of Love and Romance is ideal for those wanting to celebrate around Valentine's Day. Many of Roxey Ballet's home-theatre engagements sell out, so get your tickets today!
Tickets are also on sale for Roxey Ballet's spring performances of Pied Piper of Hamelin featuring original music and lyrics by Richard Jarboe and Harvey Shields & Carnival of the Animals , the latest installment of Children's Classic Stories performed only by the Roxey Ballet at the College of New Jersey, Kendall Theatre. For special discounts visit them on social media or go to www.roxeyballet.org.

About the Roxey Ballet Company:

Roxey Ballet is a world-class, all-inclusive contemporary ballet company that uses dance to build community and cultural bridges. The 2020 season marks the 26th year of the Roxey Ballet Company, founded and directed by Mark and Melissa Roxey. The Mill Ballet School is the official school of Roxey Ballet. This production of Carmen and Frida features world-class costumes designed by Alicia Worden and Nilda Roxey with lighting design by Jeffrey Goldstein. Complemented by an international star cast of professional performers, Roxey Ballet draws on the abundant talent from neighboring communities, including Lambertville, New Hope, Flemington, Hopewell, Titusville, Lawrenceville, Pennington, Ewing, and Princeton.

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