Dance dreams
Stars of the international ballet scene to perform in Irvine
By Irvine City News staff
Dance is an essential element in the creative repertoire offered at the Irvine Barclay Theatre each season, with Orange County’s own Festival Ballet Theatre (FBT) a significant source of the theaters artistic talent.
The professional dancers of FBT led by Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla will return to Irvine this month along with two world-class guest artists to present Don Quixote. Set to the classic score by composer Ludwig Minkus, the ballet is centered on the well-known story of the eccentric knight Don Quixote and his loyal friend Sancho Panza on Quixote’s quest to find his impossible dream woman, Dulcinea. Marcelo Gomes and Hee Seo will dance in the leads as the young Spanish couple in the ballet that brings Cervantes’ iconic novel to life.
Set to the classic score by composer Ludwig Minkus, the ballet is centered on the well-known story of the eccentric knight Don Quixote and his loyal friend Sancho Panza on Quixote’s quest to find his impossible dream woman, Dulcinea. The professional dancers of FBT led by Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla will return to Irvine this month along with two world-class guest artists to present “Don Quixote.” Marcelo Gomes and Hee Seo will dance in the leads as the young Spanish couple in the ballet that brings Cervantes’ iconic novel to life.
FBT’s colorful production of the romantic comedy features Gomes and Seo, along with company dancers and a boisterous cast of characters, for two performances only: Saturday, March 25 at 7 p.m. and a matinee the following day, Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m.
Gomes and Seo are both principal dancers with American Ballet Theatre (ABT), the country’s premiere ballet company often seen in Orange County thanks to frequent performances at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Gomes is particularly well regarded, having dances in “Kings of the Dance,” “Tour de Force” and the world premiere of ABT’s “Sleeping Beauty” here in Orange County. Hee Seo also was a principal in the “Sleeping Beauty” premiere, dancing her debut as Aurora at Segerstrom Center.
In addition to her performance at Irvine Barclay in “Don Quixote,” Seo will also appear at Segerstrom Center’s world premiere of ABT’s “Whipped Cream” this month (March 15-19), in a production that includes Misty Copeland and Gillian Murphy.
Dance fans should not miss the opportunity to see these stars of international dance up close at Irvine Barclay Theater. The Festival Ballet company dancers will also perform excerpts from “Don Quixote” in a free community performance on the Newport Beach Library Civic Green on March 25, 12-1 p.m.
Irvinebarclay.org
Tickets: $42 - $55
The professional dancers of FBT led by Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla will return to Irvine this month along with two world-class guest artists to present Don Quixote. Set to the classic score by composer Ludwig Minkus, the ballet is centered on the well-known story of the eccentric knight Don Quixote and his loyal friend Sancho Panza on Quixote’s quest to find his impossible dream woman, Dulcinea. Marcelo Gomes and Hee Seo will dance in the leads as the young Spanish couple in the ballet that brings Cervantes’ iconic novel to life.
Set to the classic score by composer Ludwig Minkus, the ballet is centered on the well-known story of the eccentric knight Don Quixote and his loyal friend Sancho Panza on Quixote’s quest to find his impossible dream woman, Dulcinea. The professional dancers of FBT led by Artistic Director Salwa Rizkalla will return to Irvine this month along with two world-class guest artists to present “Don Quixote.” Marcelo Gomes and Hee Seo will dance in the leads as the young Spanish couple in the ballet that brings Cervantes’ iconic novel to life.
FBT’s colorful production of the romantic comedy features Gomes and Seo, along with company dancers and a boisterous cast of characters, for two performances only: Saturday, March 25 at 7 p.m. and a matinee the following day, Sunday, March 26 at 2 p.m.
Gomes and Seo are both principal dancers with American Ballet Theatre (ABT), the country’s premiere ballet company often seen in Orange County thanks to frequent performances at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Gomes is particularly well regarded, having dances in “Kings of the Dance,” “Tour de Force” and the world premiere of ABT’s “Sleeping Beauty” here in Orange County. Hee Seo also was a principal in the “Sleeping Beauty” premiere, dancing her debut as Aurora at Segerstrom Center.
In addition to her performance at Irvine Barclay in “Don Quixote,” Seo will also appear at Segerstrom Center’s world premiere of ABT’s “Whipped Cream” this month (March 15-19), in a production that includes Misty Copeland and Gillian Murphy.
Dance fans should not miss the opportunity to see these stars of international dance up close at Irvine Barclay Theater. The Festival Ballet company dancers will also perform excerpts from “Don Quixote” in a free community performance on the Newport Beach Library Civic Green on March 25, 12-1 p.m.
Irvinebarclay.org
Tickets: $42 - $55