Inland Pacific Ballet returns this spring with its spectacular landmark production of The Little Mermaid, the classic tale for all ages about the young mermaid willing to give up her life in the sea for love. This colorful and engaging production combines classical ballet and creative puppetry to create a magical ocean world with a cast of delightful sea creatures, magnificent sets, and elaborate costumes. Aerial Technology and brilliant new lighting enhance the underwater illusion and bring The Little Mermaid to life in this enchanting undersea adventure at Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside, April 6-7; Lewis Family Playhouse in Rancho Cucamonga, April 13-14; and April 27-18 at Bridges Auditorium at Pomona College in Claremont.
Based on the original fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen which was then brought into pop culture by Disney animation, The Little Mermaid is a story of young love from two very different worlds. The mermaid princess leaves her underwater paradise and meets a handsome prince on the surface. As the story unfolds, she must decide how much she is willing to sacrifice for her new-found love. Unlike the dark ending of the original story, this original ballet from Inland Pacific Ballet has created a surprise ending that adds to the enjoyment of the traditional tale.
“The Little Mermaid is a great example of IPB’s use of high-level classical ballet to tell adventurous stories which not only result in a profound and beautiful experience, but where audiences become immersed in an epic love story that is familial and celebrated,” exclaims IPB Associate Director, Jonathan Sharp. “Familiarity with other versions of The Little Mermaid story, allows those who have never experienced classical ballet to become initiated with this type of storytelling and enjoy the splendor of classical dance. It’s like watching sculptures in motion.”
Inland Pacific Ballet brought together a creative dream-team to bring The Little Mermaid to the stage with Portland-based choreographers Daniel Kirk and Eric Skinner utilizing innovative aerial technology to create the feeling of a real underwater environment. New lighting design by Nick Robinson adds to the illusion, along with internationally-acclaimed scenic designer Nancy Seruto’s creative set designs. Designers Craig Sheppard and Jeanne Nolden created a spectacular blend of ornate costumes and delightful puppet sea creatures that swirl and spin. New this year are additional puppet creatures created by Jesse Mooney-Bullock of MoonBull Studio (custom puppet works, fine art sculpture engineered for live performance), and Inland Pacific Ballet Artistic Director Victoria Koenig conceived a lush, sweeping sound collage of great composers, more like a cinematic score than a traditional ballet soundtrack, which includes the music of classical composers Ravel, Debussy, Britten, Vaughan Williams, Janacek, and Dvorak.
Set under and above the high seas, the resulting ballet production has been hailed as “… visually stunning…. an underwater Lion King,” where “puppetry and dancing combine to create a magical ocean world.” Audiences of all ages will enjoy The Little Mermaid where under-the-sea creatures are a feast for the eyes.
Inland Pacific Ballet, is a professional ballet company based in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. The Company is committed to producing exquisitely staged productions of full-length classic story ballets as well as presenting the best in contemporary choreography. Through creative marketing and an extensive educational outreach program, Inland Pacific Ballet strives to introduce new audiences to the magic of ballet, and to make the experience more available and accessible to all. The Company is also committed to the nurturing of new talent and provides an essential training ground for serious young dancers. Inland Pacific Ballet’s Founders/Directors Victoria Koenig and Kevin Frank Myers are southern California natives and bring a wealth of experience to their visionary leadership of the Company.
Over the past 24 years they have built Inland Pacific Ballet into the premier ballet company in the region, enjoying critical acclaim while performing the largest and most varied repertoire in the area. The Company’s repertoire includes such classics as A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Les Sylphides, Graduation Ball and Swan Lake Act II. Full length classical masterpieces include Giselle, Coppélia and a lavish production of The Nutcracker. Contemporary classics include seminal works by the legendary George Balanchine including Serenade, Concerto Barocco and Who Cares? and a growing body of original work that includes creative adaptations of much-loved stories such as The Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast and Dracula.
The Little Mermaid has performances on Saturday, April 6 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Fox Performing Arts Center, Riverside; Saturday, April 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Lewis Family Playhouse, Rancho Cucamonga; and April 27 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Bridges Auditorium, Claremont. Tickets start at $24 with senior/child/group rates available. For reservations and information, please visit IPBALLET.org.