Come On, Irene
It’s nothing if not original. On Feb. 21 First State Ballet Theatre presents the world premiere of “Irene,” the story of a beautiful young dancer who is recruited by the biggest ballet company in her city, only to learn it’s made up of vampires. What happens from there? You’ll have to see it to find out. Let’s say simply that it’s a different kind of ballet. “I was just writing after Hurricane Irene,” says composer Shaun Dougherty of Wilmington. “Then I hit on the most dissonant interval you could imagine. I thought it was beautiful. Then I wondered, How do you get people used to it?” After two years of writing, he burst into the offices of FSBT and said, “You’ve got to do this.” “It was really, really rock ’n’ roll at the time,” says FSBT choreographer Alex Bruckner. “But Shaun was so enthusiastic, he won us over. It’s just so random for someone to come to you with a full-length ballet.” The treat for you, viewer, is to hear original music by a pit band of strings, grand piano, jazz guitar and percussion while watching dancers move to Bruckner’s cues. “It was a challenge,” he says. “It’s all original, and very novel, so there was no precedent to refer to. When you do ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ you can take ideas. We couldn’t do that with ‘Irene.’” “This is fresh and new and exciting,” Dougherty says. “I know it’s going to be great.” See it at The Grand Opera House. You can say you were there first. 658-7897, firststateballet.com
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Feb. 21 |
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[IN Wilmington Promotional Pick of the Week] “Irene” by First State Ballet Theatre tells the tale of a dancer joining a new troupe—of vampires. Scored and choreographed by Delawareans, it’s an all-local treat… More |
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Returning due to demand Universal Funk Order and Corey Osby come together to deliver Superfreak: A Tribute to Rick James at World Café Live. Yow… More |
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Feb. 21-22 |
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Vote for your favorite of four plays during the One-Act Play Festival at Wilmington Drama League. (The winner will represent the WDL at the state fest in March.)… More |
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Feb. 22 |
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Let’s spend the night together during the third annual Shine A Light On The Queen Rolling Stones Tribute Concert. More than 40 of the area’s best musicians will pay tribute to the “World’s Greatest Rock and Roll Band.”… More |
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Comedian Jim Breuer brings the funny to The Grand Opera House… More |
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The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts plays host to AIDS Delaware’s first Imagine soiree. Just think of that… More |
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The Newark Symphony Orchestra’s chamber ensemble plays Mozart in its Evergreen Genius concert at Newark United Methodist Church… More |
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Nanticoke Health Services’ The Heart of Good Health: A Healthy Community Event offers health education, health professionals, screenings, healthy living demonstrations, and many activities for the whole family at… More |
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Feb. 23 |
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Check out the work of photographers from near and far during the Wilmington International Exhibition of Photography at Arsht Hall on the University of Delaware’s Wilmington campus. It goes until March 2… More |
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Feb. 25 |
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Join the Delaware Symphony Orchestra’s maestro for a little Mozart during David Amado and Friends at The Grand Opera House… More |
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Feb. 26 |
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Thank Rehoboth Beach songwriter Doug James for giving us the smash “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You?” Thank Honda for singer Michael Bolton’s comeback. Thank The Grand Opera House for bringing him to Delaware to belt out a night of hits... More |
