ASHTABULA — “Peter and the Wolf” and “Sunday in the Park” have one thing in common: They are both presented this month on stage at the Ashtabula Arts Center.
Prokofieff’s ballet “Peter and the Wolf” is classic children's tale about the young pioneer Peter, who stays at his grandfather’s house. While there, he goes to a nearby meadow with his animal friends to play. His grandfather warns him to be careful and stay near the house to avoid wolves but Peter does not listen.
Presented by Ballet Theatre Ashtabula at the Ashtabula Arts Center, “Peter and the Wolf” will be held Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Sept. 19 and 20 at 2 p.m.
“I think this play does more than teach children a life lesson, it also acts as an introduction to music and dance. Kids get to experience the complicated beauty of an orchestra while watching the disciplined movements of dancers,” says Shelagh Dubsky, dance coordinator at the Ashtabula Arts Center.
“Sunday in the Park,” a comedic adaptation of the ballet “Les Sylphide” by Chopin, will follow directly after “Peter and the Wolf.”
“Sunday in the Park” is a subtle comedy about a young man who sits down in the park to read his newspaper. Soon after he sits a young women finds him, falls in love, and tries to convince him to marry her. When she finally catches his attention, another beautiful women appears and takes an interest in him. Soon, a crowd of people is chasing the young man around the stage when all he wants to do is sit and read his Sunday paper.
“These ballets have been very difficult for our dancers,” says Dubsky. “Many of them have taken on lead roles for the first time and have found it very challenging. I have pushed them; given them difficult choreography and they have worked very hard to prepare for the show.”
Tickets for the double feature production are on sale now. General admission tickets are $12, senior/student are $11 and children under age 12 are $10. Advance sale ticket purchases will receive a $2 per ticket discount. Tickets can be purchased by calling the arts center at 964-3396.
