Book inspires a warmer ‘Swan Lake’
What’s on: “Swan Lake”
The back story: Carolina Ballet artistic director Robert Weiss wanted “Swan Lake” in the company’s repertoire but didn’t have enough dancers for the traditional version. But after reading a more intimate version of the story in a children’s book by Lisbeth Zwerger, Weiss realized it would work for his staging. The story is still about a young woman turned into a swan by a sorcerer’s spell and the prince who tries to break it, but with a warmer, more romantic atmosphere.
What to look for: Zwerger’s delicate, pastel illustrations brought to life by Jeff A.R. Jones’ sets and David Heuvel’s costumes; the imaginative way the swans are made to seem in flight; the vividly dramatic Tchaikovsky score played live by the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle.
Where and when to see it: Memorial Auditorium, Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and April 19.
Durham Performing Arts Center, 123 Vivian St., Durham. 8 p.m. May 2; 2 p.m. May 3.
Tickets: $24.55 - $77.93 (includes tax)
Info for Raleigh performances: 919-719-0900 or carolinaballet.com
Info for Durham performances: 919-680-2787 or dpacnc.com
This story was originally published April 11, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Book inspires a warmer ‘Swan Lake’."