‘Sleeping Beauty’ graces the PAC again

The dancers from left to right are freshman Alexis Snedeker, senior Celina Schorer and senior Sarah Ruesch.

Contributed photo

The dancers from left to right are freshman Alexis Snedeker, senior Celina Schorer and senior Sarah Ruesch.

Carlena Bressanelli, Staff writer

If you enjoy classical fairy tales, “Sleeping Beauty (Act III)” in dance form, is something to come see.
It takes place when Princess Aurora celebrates her wedding with  her court princesses, fairies and the other creatures including Puss–in–Boots, Red Riding Hood, etc.
All of the music  is by Tchaikovsky.
It is partnered with George Balanchine’s “Concerto Barocco,” work from the New York City Ballet and the music of Bach.
When asked why she chose this performance, Tauna Hunter, professor and chair of Dance said, “We work to rotate our repertoire and offer classical ballet offerings such as ‘Sleeping Beauty’ every other year as well as neo-classical choreography such as George Balanchine’s ‘Concerto Barocco.’
“These two offerings challenge our students with professional level material, preparing them for the professional dance field.”
Hunter also mentioned who was in the performance, which has about “68 dance majors performing over the weekend.”
The soloists in “Concerto Barocco” will be sophomore Lucas De Marinis, junior Elizabeth Hite, senior Matthew Huefner, senior Haylie Kromer, senior Veronica Plys and sophomore Sarah Taylor.
Senior Shelby Kolar and freshman Megan Carnuche will alternate in the tile role of Aurora in “Sleeping Beauty,” partnered by Huefner and De Marinis.
The role of the Lilac Fairy will be shared by Kolar and senior Sarah Ruesch.
Aurora’s court will also include the gifts of Amethyst, Sapphire, Ruby as well as Puss–in–Boots, Red Riding Hood and the Blue Bird.
Hunter worked diligently with her students to prepare for the performance.
“We have been working on the signature ballet of New York City Ballet, ‘Concerto Barocco,’ since last fall when former New York City Ballet principal dancer, Nilas Martins, came to stage the three movement work to Bach’s double violin concerto.
“We began work on ‘Sleeping Beauty’ at the beginning of spring semester.
“Our rehearsal runs for two hours every day of the week, therefore emulating a professional experience for the students,” Hunter said.
The performances will take place in the Performing Arts Center April 28 through April 30.
Friday is at 7 p.m., Saturday  at 2 and 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
On April 28, the dance performance includes a pre-performance reception which will benefit SafeNet and the Jenni-Lyn Watson Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Tickets for adults are $15, seniors and students are $10,  Mercyhurst students and youths 12 and under are $5.
Tickets can be bought at miac.mercyhurst.edu or at the box office.