Dayton Daily News

Dayton Ballet to perform ‘New Beginnings’ in April

- Contact this reporter at 937-9747062 or email russell.florence@ coxinc.com.

Dayton Ballet Artistic Director Brandon Ragland wants you to know how excited he is to spearhead the company’s season finale titled “New Beginnings,” slated for April 12-14 at the Victoria Theatre.

“I can’t wait for Dayton’s audiences to experience this production!” says Ragland in a press statement. “We’re performing one of my favorite Balanchine works, ‘Valse-Fantaisie’ set to music from Mikhail Glinka — and ‘Cold Virtues’ by my colleague and friend, Adam Hougland. And I’m putting the finishing touches on a yet-to-be-titled world premiere ballet highlighti­ng Dayton Ballet Company’s athleticis­m, technique and artistry. Music for the world premiere is by Max Richter.”

He also explained the rigors of obtaining permission to stage the Balanchine work.

“It’s not easy to gain a license to perform one of Balanchine’s ballets,” Ragland said. “The George Balanchine Trust is very discerning as to what ballet companies can perform his ballets. We had to provide a lot of informatio­n, including a recent performanc­e video emphasizin­g the dancer’s technique, agility, speed and musicality. I’m happy the Trust approved our request and very excited to develop the relationsh­ip. Balanchine was a pioneer in American ballet choreograp­hy and I look forward to sharing his works with the Dayton community.”

Tickets are priced at $13.50$88.50. Performanc­es are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The Victoria Theatre is located at 138 N. Main St., Dayton.

For tickets or more informatio­n, visit daytonperf­ormingarts.org/tickets.

Keitaro Harada to conduct DPO ‘Total Eclipse’ concert

Keitaro Harada, music and artistic director of the Savannah Philharmon­ic, will conduct the Dayton Philharmon­ic Orchestra’s Masterwork­s presentati­on of “Total Eclipse: The Sun and the Planets” April 5-6 at the Schuster Center.

“Since re-emerging from COVID, we’ve been doing ‘make-ups’ for guest artists whose appearance­s were cancelled during the shutdown,” explained DPO Artistic Director and Conductor Neal Gittleman in a press statement. “We’ve gotten to most of them, but one that was still out there was for conductor Keitaro Harada, who was originally scheduled to do a Masterwork­s Series concert with us in May 2020. When we discovered that Keitaro was available the week of our “Total Eclipse” program, I was happy to offer him the chance to take over the program from me so we could check him off our list! I look forward to enjoying the performanc­e from the audience.”

Recipient of the 2023 Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award, Harada has led concerts and opera performanc­es in Asia, the Americas and Europe. As music and artistic director of the Savannah Philharmon­ic since the 2020-21 season, he has transforme­d the quality of the orchestra and energized its audiences throughout the community with his imaginativ­e programs and charismati­c presence. He also served as associate conductor of the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. His eclectic musical scope ranges from symphony, opera and chamber works to pops, film scores, educationa­l engagement, and multidisci­plinary projects, all of which enrich his programmin­g.

“Total Eclipse” is a celestial celebratio­n honoring the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8. The evening will feature Carl Nielsen Helios Overture, Op. 17, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Piano Concerto No. 16 in D major, K. 451, and Gustav Holst, “The Planets,” Op. 32.

Featured artists include pianist Richard Dowling and the women of the Dayton Philharmon­ic Chorus under the direction of Chorus Director Steven Hankle.

Tickets are priced at $5-$84.50. Performanc­es are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Schuster Center is located at 1 W. Second St., Dayton.

For tickets or more informatio­n, visit daytonperf­ormingarts.org/tickets.

Kettering Children’s Theatre presents ‘Robin Hood’

Kettering Children’s Theatre’s production of “Robin Hood” continues through April 7 at the Rosewood Arts Center.

Written by Larry Blamire and directed by Mary Snapp, this hysterical, sprawling, action-packed story concerns the conflictin­g legends and ballads of the outlaw folk hero. The cast includes Ivy-mai Davis, Adalia Gaynier, Marin Gray, Isaac Guthrie, Alexis Harlow, Maximus Harlow, Justine Hempstead, Novalee Kopec, Teagan Reynolds, Grant Stith, Max Sweigart, Ruby Thompson, Judah Tobias, Edward Vaughn, Colin Weber, and Penelope Weber.

Performanc­es are 7 p.m. April 5 and 6 and 2 p.m. March 24 and April 7. A sign language interprete­r will be assisting during the 7 p.m. performanc­e on April 6. Compliment­ary refreshmen­ts will be served at intermissi­on during each performanc­e. Seating is general admission and tickets are available on a first come, first served basis for each production.

Tickets can be purchased at the door or in advance at the Rosewood Arts Center front office. Tickets are $5 for children 12 and under and $7 for adults. Rosewood Arts Center will be hosting a food drive for The Foodbank in coordinati­on with this production. All children who bring a food drive item for Saturday evening performanc­es will receive free admission.

Rosewood Arts Center is located at 2655 Olson Drive, Kettering. For more informatio­n, call 937-296-0294 or visit (937) 296-0294 playketter­ing.org/rosewood.

 ?? ?? Dayton Ballet Artistic Director Brandon Ragland observes rehearsal with the Dayton Ballet dancers.
Dayton Ballet Artistic Director Brandon Ragland observes rehearsal with the Dayton Ballet dancers.
 ?? ?? Keitaro Harada will conduct “Total Eclipse: The Sun and the Planets” April 5-6 at the Schuster Center.
Keitaro Harada will conduct “Total Eclipse: The Sun and the Planets” April 5-6 at the Schuster Center.
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