‘A celebration of American dance’
Arizona Classical Ballet brings Rodeo to life in Yuma Sunday
Cowboys, a lovesick cowgirl and a rousing hoe down – sounds like an American story from the West.
That’s exactly what Rodeo is – the very first American ballet ever created with music by American composer Aaron Copeland and choreographed by famed American dancer and choreographer Agnes de Mille. Set on a ranch in the American Southwest, Rodeo is the story of a cowgirl who tries to fit in and win the attention of the Head Wrangler, and in the end finding true love with the Lead Roper.
Rodeo will be the grand finale of Arizona Classical Ballet’s Spring Gala, a fun and lively celebration of American dance and music, said Artistic Director Ericka Farrar Bowen. The performance will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at Historic Yuma Theatre, 254 S. Main St. Cost $20. For advance tickets go online to etix.com, stop by the Yuma Art Center ticket office or call 928-3735202. Tickets also will be sold at the door.
In addition to Rodeo, the gala will include Who Cares, a ballet tribute to American composer George Gershwin, as well as the Don Quixote ballet and Paquita, a ballet that takes place during Napoleon’s occupation of Spain.
At Rodeo’s world premiere in 1942 in New York, De Mille danced the lead role of the Cowgirl. She received 22 curtain calls and a standing ovation. And it marked the beginning of de Mille’s success as a choreographer, going on to choreograph such musical hits as Oklahoma and Carousel. De Mille is credited with revolutionizing musical theater by integrating dance choreography into the story in a way that hadn’t been seen before.
Arizona Classical Ballet has about 40 dance students from 3 years old through adults, with the little girls having a special part, You’ve Got A Friend in Me from Who Cares. Lead local dancers for Rodeo will be Monica Arvayo as the Cowgirl, Samantha Case as the rancher’s daughter and Madelyn Fry as the lead Kanas City Girl. Lead male roles will be danced by guest artists Nick Mesa as the Head Wrangler and Barret Bartolomei as the Cow Hand. Bradley Bowen, Arizona Classical Ballet executive director, will perform the part of Lead Roper.
“The girls look beautiful in their costumes and they’ve been working really hard,” said Farrar Bowen. “It’s really fun music … very joyous. It’s a celebration of American dance.”