Is it an operetta ballet, or a ballet operetta? Either way you look at it, Ballet West's "Rosalinda" has the charm of both genres, and it's coming back to the Capitol Theatre March 26-April 3.
"Rosalinda" is of course based on "Die Fledermaus," Johann Strauss's delightful Viennese confection, and the whole thing - comic plot, music in romantic waltz, polka and czardas rhythms, and characterizations with a light continental touch - translates delightfully into dance terms.If you love the operetta, you'll want to see it as a ballet; and if you missed "Rosalinda's" company debut last spring, you probably heard rumors about its fun and games.
This evening-length, full-scale ballet was set on the company last spring by Ronald Hynd, a freelance choreographer whose experience includes dancing with Sadler's Wells Ballet and directing the Munich Ballet. His "Rosa-linda" has been danced in South Africa, Chile, Australia, Yugoslavia, and in America by Houston and Cincinnati Ballets.
The ballet has been brought back to the company by artistic director John Hart, with the help of the artistic staff. "Hynds works so hard with it while he was here, polishing every detail, that it hasn't been difficult to bring it back," said Hart.
Rosalinda's husband, Eisenstein, has an eye for the ladies. But the clever young matron gives him his comeuppance amid many farcical situations, even while he is paying off his debt to Dr. Falke for a practical joke and preparing to serve a prison term for disturbing the peace. The action, which involves the entire company, takes place in the Eisensteins' parlor, at a ball, and in the city jail.
Casts will be led by Wendee Fiedeldey, Jane Wood and Pamela Robinson as Rosalinda, Raymond Van Mason, Robert Arbogast and Richard Bradley as Eisenstein, Virginia Hagood, Erin Leedom and Maggie Wright as Adele, and Gilles Maidon, Jiang Qi and Jeffrey Rogers as Falke. Peter Christie plays Alfredo, and Rogers also repeats his definitive jailer.
Rather than Strauss's own late 19th century, this "Rosalinda" takes place in the Vienna of the '20s, also a period of elegance and glamour, as the lavish production attests, with sets and costumes by Peter Docherty. Terence Kern will conduct the Utah Chamber Orchestra in a musical score arranged by John Lanchbery.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on March 26, 27 and 31, April 1-3, with 2 p.m. matinees on March 27 and April 3. Tickets are $10-$50 at the ArtTix box office in the Capitol Theatre, at all Albertson ArtTix outlets, or by calling 355-2787 (ARTS). For group discounts information, call 364-5311.
At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25, the Salt Lake Ballet Guild will sponsor a public "Rosalinda" symposium in the Capitol Theatre. A talk will be followed by refreshments and a first-act rehearsal. A $1 donation is suggested.
Ballet West will tour "Rosa-linda" to the Browning Center at WSU in Odgen April 23 and 24. For ticket information, call the Ogden Symphony-Ballet Association, 399-9214.