Thursday, April 20, 2006

Wilmington, N.C. - One of the nation's finest young dance ensembles, Carolina Ballet, brings a program of spectacular dance and music to Kenan Auditorium at 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 23. Shakespeare Suite features three extended dance works inspired by the works of William Shakespeare, and takes place on the occasion of the great playwright's birthday anniversary.

Artistic Director Robert Weiss reprises the world-premiere performance of his Tempest Fantasy, interpreting in dance the wondrous tale of magic, comedy, and passionate love, set to the 2004 Pulitzer Prize-winning music of composer Paul Moravec. Also featured is Lynne Taylor-Corbett's premiere, Love Speaks, a lovely and evocative dance piece based on Shakespeare's sonnets, with acclaimed actor Jeffery West as the narrator.

The program also highlights José Limón's masterpiece, The Moor's Pavanne. Based on Othello and set to the music of English Baroque composer Henry Purcell, The Moor's Pavanne is staged for the Carolina Ballet by Clay Taliaferro who was personally coached in the role of the Moor by José Limón himself.

"We are so very pleased to have this acclaimed group of artists share their talent and creative energy with us," said UNCW Director of Cultural Arts Norman Bemelmans. "And what better way to celebrate the birthday of Shakespeare than with an evening of spectacular dance inspired by the Bard's epic drama, resonant characters, and incomparable verse."

Based in Raleigh, the Carolina Ballet has in a few short years quickly established itself as a world-class American ballet company, recently hailed in The Wall Street Journal as one of America's top arts organizations. The ensemble's Artistic Director, Robert Weiss, was for 16 years a principal dancer for the New York City Ballet, and is internationally recognized for his creative and energetic choreography. In September 2006, the Carolina Ballet will embark on a two and a half week tour of the Peoples Republic of China, one of the very few American ensembles to be invited to do so.

Tickets for the Carolina Ballet's performance of Shakespeare Suite are $30-35 for general admission. $10 tickets are available for youth (under 17) and UNCW students with a valid ID.

For tickets and information, please contact the Kenan Auditorium box office at 910.962.3500 or visit www.uncw.edu/kenan.