Backstage at our Springfest Fundraiser!

Ryan Rose and Jessica Clayton backstage before performing "Communication Breakdown"

We had a great turnout for our Springfest Fundraiser on Friday! The intimate setting of the Brooks Center for Spirituality was a perfect venue for this delightful show. Guests were served an Italian meal complete with manicotti and tiramisu, and were entertained by a myriad of different performing arts. The audience experienced a live wind quartet (the Gossamer Winds), opera (sung live by Ballet Ariel company dancer Peter Strand, who is also a classically trained vocalist), and musical theatre (the duet "Stepsister's Lament" from Rodgers and Hammerstein's musical Cinderella, performed by Ballet Ariel's very own Stepsisters Gina Eslinger and Peter Strand).  

 The Stepsisters backstage (Gina Eslinger and Peter Strand)

Of course, we couldn't round out the evening without dance-- Gregory Gonzales presented an excerpt from his beautiful contemporary ballet "The Messenger Within." Jessica Clayton and Ryan Rose played a very convincing and funny 1950's couple in the comedy dance piece "Communication Breakdown" (choreographed by Gina Eslinger). The company ended the evening with a sneak peek of our full length Cinderella (opening this Friday at 7:30 pm), with scenes showcasing Cinderella (Damara Cedillo), her Stepsisters and Stepmother (Doina Florea), and the Dance Master (Ryan Rose). The audience loved the show and many were seen leaving with big smiles on their faces.

Damara Cedillo as Cinderella

Thanks to all the volunteers and dancers who made this fundraiser possible, and for all that came out to support Ballet Ariel! The company opens "Cinderella" at the PACE Center in Parker this Friday (shows Friday, March 23rd, at 7:30 pm; and Saturday, March 24th, at 2pm and 7:30 pm)! Don't miss Ballet Ariel's very entertaining and beautiful version of the beloved fairy tale! 
Tickets are available online here: http://www.parkeronline.org/index.aspx?nid=989


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