Nashville Ballet is delivering an evening of all things sensual and forbidden with the return of the bloodsucking Dracula October 22-24, 2015, at TPAC’s Polk Theater. Last presented in 2007, this classic tale explores the conflict between carnal desire and rational thought.
Loosely based on Bram Stoker’s gothic novel, the ballet explores the root of Dracula’s torturedness. Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling’s ballet adaptation digs deeper into the character’s complexity, which begs the ultimate question: Is Dracula a man or a monster?
“Dracula is a tortured soul who is longing to find eternal love,” Vasterling said. “The paradox is that he cannot resist biting his love interests, which ultimately makes them corrupt just like him. This ballet explores the relentless battle between the good and evil within all us, which Dracula perfectly personifies.”
Vasterling’s choreography is set to a live score featuring the neo-classical sounds of Czech composer Bohuslav Martinů. Vasterling combined a handful of Martinů’s dark pieces from the 1930s with chilling sound effects, creating a sweeping theatrical experience for the audience.
Salvatore Aiello’s Afternoon of a Faun and Satto will complement Dracula with their sensual stories of a Faun coming of age and the dance between a falling leaf and the God of Wind. Together, the three supernatural ballets mark the debut of Nashville Ballet’s new fall contemporary series.
“We added a fall contemporary series to allow audiences to see our company dancers in a completely different light,” Vasterling said. “We now have a place in our season to perform some of our less traditional, more contemporary repertory earlier and more often than in the past.”
Dracula is presented by 12th & Broad. Tickets start at $28 and can be purchased in person at the TPAC box office in downtown Nashville, by phone at (615) 782-4040 or at www.nashvilleballet.com. A complete performance schedule and more information can be found here. Viewer discretion is advised. This production contains brief nudity and adult themes.
About Nashville Ballet
Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company, NB2 (a pre-professional training company), provide more than 75,000 arts experiences to adults and children annually through season performances and its Outreach & Education programming. Curriculum-based outreach programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. School of Nashville Ballet brings world-class dance instruction to students age 2 to 70.
Nashville Ballet receives public funding from Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional private support provided by Ingram Charitable Trust, The Shubert Foundation, Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, Caterpillar Financial, The HCA Foundation, The Memorial Foundation, Publix Super Market Charities, Dollar General, Nashville Predators Foundation, SunTrust Bank and hundreds of generous individuals who contribute to the Annual Fund.
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