Fairy Tale Comes to Life in Festival Ballet Providence's CINDERELLA at The Vets

This Mother's Day weekend, Festival Ballet Providence (FBP) presents Cinderella, the timeless fairy tale ballet, May 12-14, 2017 at The Vets (One Avenue of the Arts, Providence, RI).

The ballet features opulent sets and shimmering costumes, bringing the elegant choreography by FBP co-founder Winthrop Corey to life. Sergei Prokofiev's score provides a soaring, jubilant backdrop to the iconic rags to riches story. The production will also serve as the final bow for leading dancer Vilia Putrius who is retiring from the company. She has been revered and beloved by audiences and critics since joining the company in 2006. Her final performance will be May 14, 2017.*

The ballet is choreographed by Winthrop Corey who is returning to Providence to re-stage the production, which was last performed here in 2003 in celebration of FBP's 25th anniversary. "It's delightful to return to Providence, a place which has such a special place in my heart," Mr. Corey said, adding, "Festival Ballet has a wonderful company now with very well-trained dancers. They really bring this wonderful story to life, and I am certain that the audience will respond to that."

Mr. Corey co-founded FBP (then Festival Ballet of Rhode Island) in 1978 with Christine Hennessey, who passed away in 1998. Mr. Corey and Ms. Hennessey led the company for almost 20-years. The pair established FBP as a powerhouse in the New England dance community and one of the strongest regional companies in the country. In addition to Cinderella, Mr. Corey has choreographed full-length productions of The Nutcracker, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, Romeo & Juliet as well as three original ballets - Dracula, A Streetcar Named Desire and Snow White.

Mihalo (Misha) Djuric, artistic director of FBP said, "We are thrilled to have Winthrop Corey back in Providence to help us bring back this wonderful ballet. Audiences remember Corey's sumptuous choreography, and dancers enjoy working with the intricate classical technique that he brings to his movement style.".

Ms. Putrius will alternate in the title role with Jennifer Ricci and Kirsten Evans. The women will partner with Alan Alberto, Boyko Dossev, and Alex Lantz

IF YOU GO:

Festival Ballet Providence presents

Cinderella

Ballet in two acts

Music: Sergei Prokofiev

Choreography: Winthrop Corey

Friday May 12, 2017 - 10:00am (Discover Dance school performance**)

Friday May 12, 2017 - 7:30pm

Saturday May 13, 2017 - 7:30pm

Sunday May 14, 2017 - 2:00pm (Mother's Day)

The Vets, One Avenue of the Arts, Providence RI 02903

401-421-ARTS

www.thevetsri.com/events/detail/festival-ballet-providence-presents-cinderella

* Casting is subject to change without notice.

** Discover Dance performances are limited to educational groups of 10 or more. Reservations are required, contact 401-490-5631 or discover@festivalballetprovidence.org.

Festival Ballet Providence (FBP) is a professional Dance Company recognized for its high artistic quality that enriches the community by expanding dance awareness through performance and educational programs. As the resident ballet company of Rhode Island, FBP is comprised of 28 classically trained, professional ballet dancers who perform a wide range of classical, neoclassical, and contemporary works. With an associated school surpassing 250 in enrollment, and a successful educational outreach program reaching more than 5,000 children each season, FBP is a powerhouse in the New England dance community.

Mr. Corey holds the distinction of having been a Principal dancer with both Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet and The National Ballet of Canada. He is especially well known for his leading roles in The Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Giselle and Cinderella. He is also noted for dancing opposite Rudolph Nureyev in Jose Limon's classic work The Moor's Pavane. In partnership with Christine Hennessey, Winthrop co-founded Festival Ballet of Rhode Island in 1978, now Festival Ballet Providence. The pair led the company for almost twenty years, establishing it as a powerhouse in the New England dance community and one of the strongest regional companies in the country. He was awarded a Dance Fellowship from the Alabama State Council on the Arts for his service to the State of Alabama during his more than twenty five years at Mobile Ballet.

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