Motif Magazine, April 20, 2006
The “Don”, Festival Ballet performs famed windmill battler
When staging a ballet, there are many tedious hours of preparation before the curtain finally rises. One recent Saturday afternoon, I found myself in Festival Ballet Providence’s East Side studio for a couple of such hours as the company prepares for its season finale Don Quixote. Much of the rehearsal was spent “blocking” and “marking;” the dubious task of getting dancers from one scene to the next and making it all look seamless: the choreography within the choreography.
Though there was some wonderful dancing on this afternoon, Artistic Director Mihailo Djuric, “Misha,” dominated much of the day instructing dancers where to go, how to stand, how to act, etc. and, if the dancers weren’t getting it, an unusually animated Misha would jump-up and demonstrate what he was looking for.
Dancers not in the scene being worked-on lounged about the studio drinking coffee, chatting or stretching, while others would go off into a corner and work on their own choreography.
Yet, in witnessing first-hand the blood, sweat and tears (and pain – soloist Mark Harootian broke his foot during rehearsal; he will, however, still perform in a limited capacity) gives one a greater appreciation for the finished product.
Festival’s presentation of Don Quixtote marks the first time the ballet will be performed in RI; it is a fan favorite worldwide, explains Djuric, “because it has everything; brilliant dancing, delightful comedy and touching romance.”
And while Festival’s production will focus on the romance between Kitri and Basilio, the adventures, or misadventures, of Don Quixote and his faithful companion Sancho Panza will also be front and center; “We are all searching for something in life,” notes Djuric, “something we may not get, but like [Don Q], we should all dare to dream, and follow that passion.”
Based on Miguel de Cervantes novel Don Quixote De La Mancha, the ballet follows the plight of Don Q who becomes so consumed by his reading tales of chivalry that he imagines himself a knight. With Sancho by his side, he begins a quest across the Spanish landscape to rescue his imagined damsel-in-distress Dulcinea. He then meets Kitri and sees in her a likeness to Dulcinea; but she is set to marry Basilio. From this point on, things get very interesting.
Mark Fleisher, whose “day job” is that of Festival’s Marketing and Public Relations Manager, will be tackling the role of Don Q. He does have some theatre experience - the roles of Don Q and Sancho are non-dancing roles - and has appeared in past Festival productions, most recently last fall’s Romeo and Juliet.
Fleisher enjoys performing and the opportunity “to relate more with the company members.” His dog Archie also joins him for rehearsal, he too has appeared in many productions, and, at one point, while Don Q lay injured on the floor, a very concerned Archie quickly runs over to check on his master.
In between all the canine-kindness, some fine dancing does occur. During “The Dream,” Emily Bromberg (Kitri) executes some exceptional pointe work and Carolyn Dellinger (Queen of Dryads) displays beautiful, long, clean lines. As Cupid, the petite Heather O’Halloran projects an ethereal grace and ease.
