Journey under the sea with the Macomb Ballet Company
‘Little Mermaid’ opens MBC’s 40th season today
The Macomb Ballet Company has been making a splash all year.
So, it’s no surprise it chose to conclude its monumental 40th anniversary season with a new and original production of “The Little Mermaid.”
The magical journey under the sea will be appearing today, Saturday and Sunday at the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts in Clinton Township.
What audiences will love is that it’s not your typical “Little Mermaid” show.
“Our goal is to appeal to theater-goers of all ages and genders, so there’s a huge variety in the show. Though there is ballet, there is also contemporary dance and tap. We create our shows so that all patrons will be entertained and engaged,” said Amber Michalik, owner of the Ann Parsley School of Dance and artistic director of the Macomb Ballet Company (MBC). “The story moves fast and we really pushed the boundaries with our theatrical elements in this production. We know it will not disappoint.”
Audiences of all ages will be delighted by the show that’s been in the works for over a year featuring sets, costumes and characters featuring colorful fish, slithering eels, majestic jellyfish and an evil sea witch cast in a tale about true love.
Michalik said she and her assistant directors began executing sets, choreography, and costumes after the “Nutcracker” show back in December.
“We have a very talented set design team and costume
committee, made up entirely of volunteers, who collaborate with me throughout the season. Our sets are entirely handmade, the team is very talented at bringing our ideas to life. The costume committee works tirelessly to make costumes, fit costumes, re-fit costumes and make sure every dancer has exactly what they need for each scene,” Michalik said. “The villainous Sea Witch, who is half human and half octopus, is really spectacular.”
Just to give audiences an idea of what to expect — the Sea Witch is a collaboration between costumes and set design. On top, you will see a dancer wearing a traditional ballet bodice but she’s standing inside a rolling
set piece that houses her tentacles that span almost the entire stage in all directions. The dancer moves in and out of the set piece and while dancing.
“It’s really exciting and interesting to watch,” Michalik said.
Besides the entertainment value, this show is
sure to inspire the next generation of dancers.
“When kids have the opportunity to see Macomb Ballet Company productions on stage, I do believe it inspires them to take up ballet,” she said.
In this show, MBC features 70 dancers ranging from ages 8-18. Each age
group has several roles in the production and be it the littlest pearls to those playing leading roles like Oceana and Allura, the Sea Witch what young audiences see can often inspire them to imagine themselves on the big stage.
Ballet builds strength, discipline and musicality while creating great connections.
“One of the most rewarding things I see as a dance educator and MBC director are the lifelong friendships built amongst company members,” Michalik said. “They spend a lot of time together and count on each other like they would their own family.”