One of the great literary masterpieces of the 20th century is making its way to the Borderlands. Step into the jazzy world of the Roaring Twenties, as the World Ballet Company presents the world premiere of its latest ballet, “The Great Gatsby,” a Broadway-style take on the iconic story, at 7 p.m., Friday, March 7 at the Plaza Theatre, 125 W. Mills Ave., El Paso.
World Ballet Company’s “The Great Gatsby” is a must-see feast for the eyes. See the glitz, glamor, and tragic romance of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s timeless novel live on stage, featuring a multinational cast of 40 professional ballet dancers, an all-star creative team, lustrous hand-crafted costumes, and lavish, groundbreaking sets. The original score evokes the energy and atmosphere of the 1920s.
“World Ballet Company prides itself on making ballet accessible and producing Broadway-style ballets. This year, we’re doing that with one of the most important stories of the 20-century literature classic,” said producer Gulya Hartwick, who founded the company with Sasha Gorskaya. “From ballet-lovers to the ballet-curious, we welcome audiences in El Paso to experience this incredible production firsthand with some of the best dancers on stage today.”
The dazzling new show adapts the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel of ill-fated love and American Dream to ballet form, taking audiences back in time to the lavish decadence of the Roaring Twenties. The production features an all-star creative team, including sensual choreography from Ilya Zhivoy performed to an original, lively jazz score from Anna Drubich, sumptuous sets by Sergei Novikov, video projection by Mikki Kunntu and glamorous costumes by Sonya Vartanyan that capture the allure of the Jazz Age.
Driven by the belief that ballet is for everyone, performances appeal to newcomers and seasoned ballet goers alike. The company attracts many international artists and comprises renowned professional dancers representing over ten countries. To date, World Ballet Company has traveled to more than 300 cities, reaching an audience of more than 450,000, many of whom are first-time attendees to a ballet.
"We created the World Ballet Company because we believe there are audiences for ballet in cities across the country," said Gorskaya. "We are thrilled that audiences have responded so enthusiastically to the chance to see ballet in their hometown theaters.”