The Israel Ballet in Don Quixote

[carbro]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 9, 2010

The Israel Ballet

Berta Yampolsky and Hillel Markman, Founding Artistic Directors

performs

DON QUIXOTE

Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 2:00pm

At Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College continues its 2009-2010 World Stages: Dance series with the internationally acclaimed Israel Ballet's interpretation of Don Quixote on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 2:00pm. Featuring choreography by Marius Petipa and music by Ludwig Minkus, the performance is part of Israel Ballet's first U.S. tour in 25 years.

Originally staged in four acts and eight scenes, Don Quixote is based on an episode taken from the famous novel Don Quixote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes. It tells the story of a knight errant in search of Dulcinea, the lady of his dreams. Accompanied by his loyal squire Sancho and armed with a failing mind and a shaving basin, the knight battles windmills and imaginary monsters as he follows his quest. Featuring guest artists Anna Kostanyan and Lyudvik Ispiryan in the leading roles of Kitri and Basilio, Israel Ballet's production is set against a video enhanced back drop, adding an extra layer of energy and color to one of the most beloved works in the classical repertoire.

Founded in 1967 by Berta Yampolsky and Hillel Markman, The Israel Ballet is the only company in Israel performing the great classical and neo-classical ballets of the international repertoire, including The Nutcracker, The Sleeping Beauty, Onegin, Romeo and Juliet, Giselle, and a number of Balanchine's works including Serenade and La Valse. The company also performs works by contemporary choreographers including Lar Lubovitch and Krzysztof Pastor, as well as over 30 original ballets created by Artistic Director Berta Yampolsky. The company of 35 dancers is comprised of professional dancers from not only Israel but Russia, Europe, and the United States. They have performed to acclaim not only in their native Israel but also in The United Kingdom, Germany, Austria, Italy, Finland, Turkey, Hungary,Malta, Argentina, and Chile.

Brooklyn Center's presentation of The Israel Ballet is available as part of the Arts in the Afternoon subscription series for $60, which also includes multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter David Broza (March 21, 2010) and the 1940s musical review In The Mood (March 28, 2010). It can also be purchased as part of the WorldPack, a discounted ticket package consisting of a minimum of three performances from Brooklyn Center's World Stages series, which also includes, National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica (March 6-7, 2010), Odessa Philharmonic (March 13, 2010), Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band (March 20, 2010), and David Broza. Discounts are available for seniors, students, Brooklyn College faculty/staff/ alumni, and groups of 15 or more.

About Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts

Founded in 1954, the mission of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts is to present outstanding performing arts and arts education programs, reflective of Brooklyn's diverse communities, at affordable prices. Brooklyn Center's presentations explore both the classical traditions and the boldest contemporary performances, embracing the world culture that defines Brooklyn. Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts welcomes over 70,000 people to the 2,400 seat Walt Whitman Theatre each season, and boasts one of the largest arts education programs in the borough, serving schoolchildren from over 225 schools annually with its SchoolTime series.

The Israel Ballet's Don Quixote

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts

Walt Whitman Theatre at Brooklyn College, 2900 Campus Road, Brooklyn

Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 2pm; Tickets: $30, $20

Online orders: BrooklynCenterOnline.org

Box Office: (718) 951-4500, Tuesday - Saturday, 1pm - 6pm

Groups of 15 or more: (718) 951-4600, ext. 33

Major support for Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' World Stages: Dance series is provided by Macy's and by The Harkness Foundation for Dance.

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts' programs are made possible in part with public funding from the City of New York Department of Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding for the 2009-2010 season is provided by: Target; JP Morgan Chase; Brooklyn Community Foundation; Con Edison; National Grid; TD Bank; Air Jamaica; the Carnegie Corporation of New York; and the Lila Acheson Wallace Theater Fund, established in the New York Community Trust by founders of The Reader's Digest Association. Additional support provided by CNG Publications, The Brooklyn Eagle, and WBGO. Marriott New York LaGuardia Airport is the official hotel of Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts 2009-2010 season. Backstage catering graciously provided by Bettina Harris of The Corn Bread Diner and by Applebee's.

Brooklyn Center acknowledges the support of Assemblymembers Karim Camara, Steven H. Cymbrowitz, Rhoda Jacobs, Alan Maisel, Joan L. Millman, N. Nick Perry, Annette Robinson, and Helene E. Weinstein, members of the Brooklyn Delegation to the New York State Assembly, and New York State Senators Martine Malavé Dilan, Kevin S. Parker, and John L. Sampson. Special thanks to Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, Councilman Domenic M. Recchia, Jr. Councilmembers Kendall B. Stewart and Albert Vann, and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kate D. Levin.

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[bart]

They will be at the Kravis Center, West Palm Beach, FL, with the same program on Saturday the 13th. Thanks, carbro, for posting the press release. The Kravis, as usual, gives only the slimmest of descriptions of what we will be seeing.

[atm711]

I have my tickets for the Brooklyn College performance. The Israel Ballet web site does not list the performers; neither does Brooklyn College.

I just read Carbro's entry with more care and I see the performers are listed. Any background on them?

[carbro]

I just pasted the press release, but I've forwarded your query to the publicist, atm.

Meanwhile, perhaps some of our readers have seen Anna Kostanyan and Lyudvik Ispiryan somewhere along the line and can share their impressions and knowledge.