Contact: Dana Munson

612.206.3630

dmunson@thecowlescenter.org

Minneapolis, Feb. 3, 2016 – Twin Cities Ballet of Minnesota proudly presents the Minneapolis premiere of its acclaimed original full-length ballet, Cinderella 1944: A Love Story, at The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts. An emerging force in the Minnesota dance community, TCB writes, develops, and performs original full-length ballet productions in the tradition of the classic story ballets, a rare and nearly lost art.

Set in World War II England, Cinderella 1944: A Love Story tells the classic tale of Cinderella with a modern twist. Cinderella 1944 is an original story written specifically for Twin Cities Ballet, and features original musical compilation, and original stage designs, lighting, costumes and choreography that includes swing dance in addition to classical ballet.

“It’s a fun, original story that is inspired by thematic elements of the classic Cinderella tale, not simply Cinderella set in a different time” states Twin Cities Ballet Associate Artistic Director Rick Vogt, “audiences connect with the story they know and love on a deeper level, while also experiencing something new.”

In order to add authenticity and depth to the production, Twin Cities Ballet Artistic Director Denise Vogt did significant research before writing the libretto by visiting her native England and interviewing relatives and family friends about their wartime experiences and the culture of that era. “It was key to designing the show, both for the dancing and for the production design. I really think it brings the production to another level, and heightens the audience’s experience.”

Joining Twin Cities Ballet professional company members and apprentices, are students primarily drawn from TCB’s official school, Ballet Royale Minnesota. “Part of TCB’s mission is to provide student dancers the opportunity to perform in professional productions, in professional venues, alongside professional dancers, used in an organic way that enhances the production––this benefits the professionals, students, and audiences alike,” says Rick Vogt.

The roles of Cinderella and her love interest, a Captain in the U.S. Army Air Corps, will be danced by Natalie Rossi and Raydel Caceres, who most recently danced the roles of Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier in TCB’s A Minnesota Nutcracker, one of the metro’s most attended holiday events. Joining them as Cinderella’s “snooty cousins” are fellow company members Jennifer Christie and Zoë Marinello-Kohn, who were also featured performers in A Minnesota Nutcracker.

“Dancing this Cinderella is exciting because I’ve danced Cinderella before, but in the more traditional version,” says Natalie Rossi. “Here, Cinderella is a more realistic character, as opposed to a fairytale type princess, and a more relatable person. It’s always fun to create and become a character, and show more story to the audience, which allows me to stretch myself as a dancer and artist.”

Blending tragedy, humor, hope and love, this unique reimagining of Cinderella’s struggles, survival and journey of discovery, will surprise and delight, and provide a touching and memorable experience for all!

About The Cowles Center

The Cowles Center for Dance & The Performing Arts is the Twin Cities’ flagship for dance in Minnesota. Centrally located in downtown Minneapolis, The Cowles Center includes the refurbished 500-seat Goodale Theater; the former Hennepin Center for the Arts, home to 20 leading dance and performing arts organizations; the state-of-the-art Target Education Studio, housing The Cowles Center’s innovative distance learning program; the Illusion Theater; the James Sewell TEK Box; and the U.S. Bank Atrium. The Cowles Center is a catalyst for the creation, presentation, education, enjoyment and celebration of dance and the performing arts in the Twin Cities.

Cinderella 1944: A Love Story

The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts— Goodale Theatre

Tickets: $15 - $35 // available at thecowlescenter.org or 612.206.3600

March 4 @ 7:30pm

March 5 @ 2:00 and 7:30pm

March 6 @ 3:00pm