Beware The Evil Sorceress

Rockbridge Ballet Presents ‘Firebird’ This Weekend

The Rockbridge Ballet will stage four performances of “Firebird” on Feb. 20, 21 and 22 at the Lenfest Center for the Arts’ Keller Theater on the campus of Washington and Lee University.

Rich in fantasy and folklore, with vibrant music and colorful costumes, “Firebird” is a powerful tale of courage, magic, and transformation. This ballet tells the story of Prince Ivan, who wanders into a magical forest and captures the mysterious Firebird — a glowing, mythical creature. In exchange for her freedom, she gives him an enchanted feather. With her help, Ivan battles the evil sorceress Koshchei, freeing enchanted creatures, winning the heart of Princess Tsarevna, and restoring peace to the kingdom.

“We are excited to present this extraordinary performance to our local audience,” said Rockbridge Ballet Artistic Director Evelyn Branscome. “It is a challenging endeavor to dance to the thrilling Stravinsky score, but our dancers have risen to the occasion. Their commitment to their technical skills and performance quality is inspiring and so enjoyable to watch. The faculty are incredibly proud of our dancers’hard work and enthusiasm, especially since the dancers were able to learn the choreography in such a short amount of time.”

Featured company dancers performing principal roles include Ella Cate Brown and Ava Perdew as the Firebird, Annalee Penny and Claire Sigler as Princess Tsarevna, Summer Hull and Libby Pearson as the Queen of the Forest, Jylian Grace Hayes and Lilly Wunder as the Unicorn, and Stelly Crocker and Avery Woody as the evil sorceress, Koshchei.

The production begins as the Firebird (Brown and Perdew) and the Little Firebirds (the Apprentice Company) dance happily in the Enchanted Forest. Suddenly, Prince Ivan (Gabriel Bohling) captures the Firebird. Desperate to be released, she offers the prince one of her magical feathers and promises she will help him if he is ever in danger. He accepts, and the Firebird flies away.

Prince Ivan continues to wander through the dark woods, led by the Queen of the Forest (Hull and Pearson) and her Pixies (the Junior Company), protectors of the forest. She leads him to a mystical Unicorn (Hayes and Wunder), who takes him deeper into the groves, where he meets a group of beautiful maidens (the Senior Company) and the enchanting Princess Tsarevna (Penny and Sigler).

She tells Ivan that the forest belongs to the evil Koshchei (Crocker and Woody), a magician with minions (Bethany Hickman and Atleigh Mason) and monsters (the Senior Company), who casts a spell on any traveler passing by.

Tsarevna and the Prince quickly fall in love. Unknowingly, Ivan

, page B2 stumbles into Koshchei’s lair. Koshchei plans to turn Prince Ivan to stone, but Ivan calls on the Firebird for help by waving the magical feather. Instantly the Firebird appears with her little bird friends, and they begin to perform a bewitching dance. While the Firebird distracts the evil mastermind and her monsters, the Unicorn appears to tell Prince Ivan a secret – the only way to destroy the evil Koshchei is by crushing a magic egg containing Koshchei’s soul. Working together, the Firebird and Prince Ivan demolish the egg, dispelling the curse. Finally, the heroes join with Tsarevna and the maidens to love and live happily ever after. - Branscome, along with Rockbridge Ballet faculty members Kitty Dean Burke, Meagan Herald and Lorna Horres, have created original choreography for the second half of this production following a brief intermission.

The performance showcases the talents of the company’s dancers, who range from 9 to 18 years of age, and study all styles of dance, including ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, acro, hip hop, musical theatre, and tap.

Opening the second half is Branscome’s “Start Again” that reflects upon the experience of letting go of a relationship that no longer feels right. The dance honors the sadness that can come with loss, while ultimately focusing on the strength it takes to walk away, look forward, and begin again.

“What a Feeling” is a re-staging of Jeffrey Hornaday’s classic film choreography from “Flashdance” and recreated by resident choreographer Lorna Horres.

Next, theApprentice Company will perform “Here, Friend,” choreographed by Senior Assistant Director Kitty Dean Burke. This piece encourages friendship through the simple action of sharing a smile and spreading joy.

Branscome’s quartet, “Building,” performed by Senior Company dancers Stelly Crocker, Bethany Hickman, Margaret Shester and Lilly Wunder, explores the busy feelings we all experience when our minds won’t slow down.

“Get Happy,” choreographed by Burke set to the soundtrack of Benny Goodman, and performed by the Junior Company, is fun, fast-paced, and inspired by the big band time period.

“Guiding Light,” choreographed by Ballet Mistress Meagan Herald, is about searching and ultimately finding the “light” that drives you.

Next, Burke’s “Internal Monologues” explores a common dilemma of trying to quiet your mind, yet your internal voice will not stop talking.

Closing the show is Branscome’s “Our Future,” performed by the six graduating seniors, Ella Cate Brown, Summer Hull, Libby Pearson, Annalee Penny, Ava Perdew and Claire Sigler. This piece reflects the journey of growing up and stepping into the next chapter of life with confidence and hope.

The performances of “Firebird” will be held on Friday, Feb. 20, at 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 21, at 2 and 6:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 22, at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at rockbridgeballet.org, Pronto, Downtown Books, and, if available, at the door. Tickets are $12 for students and $15 for adults.