Salt Creek Ballet to make beautiful pointe

WESTMONT – Salt Creek Ballet of Westmont will spin “Harlequinade: An Italian Fairy Tale” into view at 3 p.m. May 14 and 1 p.m. May 15 at the McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn.

A gem of a ballet in the commedia dell’arte style, “Harlequinade” will tell a story of love, loss and redemption through the antics of a colorful cast of characters, the news release stated. The audience can enjoy the fun as Columbine’s father repeatedly attempts to deflect Harlequin’s attentions and marry off his daughter to a rich, old suitor. The program also will include a world premiere, “Beatbox” by Eddy Ocampo, and an excerpt from the ballet titled “La Bayadère.”

Performing the title role in “Harlequinade: An Italian Fairy Tale” will be guest artist Yoshihisa Arai of the Joffrey Ballet. An internationally acclaimed dancer, he also performs in Japan as a guest dancer and teaches at Japanese ballet schools as a guest artist.

After the May 15 performance, children of all ages will have the opportunity to join the cast of “Harlequinade” onstage for a special program. They can meet costumed characters and learn dance steps, followed by a cookies-and-punch reception. The Italian ballet class will take place directly after the May 15 matinée. An additional fee of $5 per child is required to attend the class. Parents are free to attend with their children’s paid admission. Tickets for the class must be purchased in advance by phone only at 630-942-4000.

Chicago dance critic Laura Molzahn has called the dance company “impressive” and “thoroughly entertaining,” according to the release.

Tickets for "Harlequinade: An Italian Fairy Tale" cost $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and $20 for those younger than 18. They can be purchased by phone at 630-942-4000 or online at www.atthemac.org. The McAninch Arts Center is on the College of DuPage campus at 425 Fawell Blvd.

About Salt Creek Ballet
Salt Creek Ballet has produced performances for more than 235,000 people in Cook, DuPage and Kane counties since its founding in 1985, while earning a national reputation for excellence in dance, the release stated. Led by Artistic Directors Sergey Kozadayev and Zhanna Dubrovskaya, the company presents 10 annual public performances in addition to its work as a nationally recognized training ground for professional dancers. For more information, visit www.saltcreekballet.org.