CEDAR CITY — A nine-performance run of "The Prairie Years," a centerpiece presentation of the American Folk Ballet, is scheduled Sept. 14-23 at the Southern Utah University Auditorium.
"This will be the first full-company performance by the American Folk Ballet in Cedar City since 1997," said Kathy Jarvis, managing director.
"We are making these performances our first major step in preparation for an appearance in 2002 at the Capitol Theatre in Salt Lake City in conjunction with the Winter Olympics. To be invited to perform in that venue is nationally significant."
The Cedar City performances will begin each night at 7:30 except Sunday, Sept. 17, when no show is scheduled.
The American Folk Ballet has performed at major venues nationally and was acclaimed during highly successful tours of Russia and Israel. For several years, it was a major attraction at Utah State University's Festival of the American West.
"This company has a great tradition. Reviews have been outstanding wherever we have performed," Jarvis said.
The professional company was originally located in Pasadena, Calif., after it was created in the mid-1960s by the late Burch Mann. It has only recently found a permanent headquarters in Cedar City under the auspices of SUU.
The American Folk Ballet actually moved to Cedar City in 1982, where Mann served as a distinguished artist in residence at SUU for 10 years.
Upon her death in 1996, the future of the troupe became uncertain.
The company was bequeathed to Gerald R. Sherratt, then president of SUU, and Sherratt subsequently donated the company to SUU. The university now has oversight responsibility for the operation of the professional company.
"We are starting to feel some stability that was threatened with the death of Burch Mann," Jarvis said.
"These performances will once again bring the entire company together and allow us to showcase the uniqueness of a widely admired dance form and dance company. We feel like we are back, fresh and rejuvenated."
"The Prairie Years" has been an audience favorite whenever the American Folk Ballet has performedit. It is a story of life and cultures on the prairie for American Indians and for the people who relocated to build their lives there.
Among the veteran company members who will be performing are Kay Andersen, Jennifer Barondeau, Heidi Folks, Shauna Mendini, Lise Mills, Shannon Otte, Alaris Hirschi-Treat, Kristen Wilkinson and Gingi Yee. A total of 20 dancers, four singers and a narrator are included in the company.
"This is classic production, but it will also feature a number of new dancers in the company, giving it a slightly new look," Jarvis said.
Gwen Grimes, who had a 24-year performance career with the American Folk Ballet, is the company's artistic director.
Tickets range from $12-22, but a number of discounts are available by calling the SUU box office at 435-586-7878 or 7876.