LAKE HAVASU CITY – Ballet Havasu will be making a return this week with their double feature productions of Noah’s Ark and Giselle Act II. Last winter the company dazzled Lake Havasu audiences with their depiction of the Nutcracker, and their spring performance of two timeless classics aims to delight the community once more.
Since 2022, Artistic Director of Ballet Havasu Nathan Cottam accepted the invite to lead Ballet Havasu and has been creating shows for residents of Havasu ever since. The school leases space from Stonebridge Christian Fellowship and Cottam decided to put in a request with one of the pastors of the church to narrate the Noah’s Ark ballet, an offer that they gladly accepted.
Revamping vintage stories and introducing these tales to new audiences is something that the artistic director finds pleasure in promoting. “One of the things I like to do in creating new ballets is take folk tales and other very commonly known stories that have never been made into a ballet and create one.”
Noah’s Ark is a biblical story where God saves Noah and family from a worldwide flood. Giselle Act II on the other hand is a very different story. It’s a romantic piece about Giselle, a beautiful young peasant girl and a disguised nobleman Albrecht, who fall in love.
The ballet made its debut in 1841 and became widely renowned on stage in Russia, Europe, and the United States. It’s a feature that is both fairytale and tragic. Cottam is pleased with the promise and dedication that his students have shown throughout the production. “The dancers from the school are doing a fantastic job of dancing this and I’m very proud of them.”
Noah’s Ark and Giselle Act II will be on Saturday, April13 and Sunday, April 14. Saturday’s performance will be an evening one beginning at 7 p.m., and Sunday’s show will be a matinee starting at 2 p.m.
All shows will take place at Lake Havasu’s Performing Arts Center. Advance tickets can be purchased by visiting Ballet Havasu. Tickets can also be purchased at the door. Come out and see the magic and beauty of these stories brought to life on stage.
Phaedra Veronique
