Peter Pan Offers Magical Experience for Adults, Children Alike
Nashville Ballet is kicking off its 30th anniversary season with a trip back to Neverland September 18-20, 2015, at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. This family-friendly production tells the classic story of a boy who doesn’t want to grow up—complete with storybook sets, enchanting costumes and on-stage flying.
This fall Nashville Ballet will open its season one month earlier than prior years, beginning a new tradition with its expanded performance season. After a wildly successful world premiere in 2013, Nashville Ballet revisits the overarching theme of nostalgia for youth by following Peter, Wendy, Tinker Bell and friends to the magical world of Neverland in this childhood classic.
“Peter Pan is such a fantastically nostalgic, sometimes sentimental, piece,” Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling said. “You spend your childhood longing to grow up, and once you do, you would give almost anything to go back. This piece is about allowing yourself to get in touch with your inner child and remembering what it was like to have that innocence and simplicity of youth.”
Vasterling created an original score by combining a variety of classical pieces from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The score draws heavily from late 19th century French composers and will be performed live by the Nashville Symphony. Vasterling also created original choreography, which includes on-stage flight.
“Seeing the dancers come alive as they’re defying gravity and using flight as an extension to their dancing is quite magical,” Vasterling said.
Louisville-based company ZFX Flying Effects traveled to Nashville Ballet to set up shop on-site and train dancers how to fly safely on stage. Not only do Peter, Wendy, Tinker Bell and other characters fly, but the ropes are operated by Nashville Ballet dancers as well.
Peter Pan features original sets and costumes by Campbell Baird, whose grand-scale, old-fashioned designs bring J.M. Barrie’s timeless tale to life. The production will also feature more than 40 youth cast members from School of Nashville Ballet as fairies, sprites and mermaids.
Peter Pan is presented by Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund and Nfocus. 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.
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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