Rock Ballet Dracula to Premiere at the Overture Center March 8-10, 2013

February 14, 2013 Press Releases

February 14, 2013 (Madison, WI)  Dracula, an original rock ballet based on the Bram Stoker novel, will premiere March 8-10 at the Overture Center for the Arts.

The performance, nearly 5 years in the making for Madison Ballet’s Artistic Director W. Earle Smith, is a dark, high-volume mix of a rock concert and contemporary ballet, featuring a seven piece rock band that will play the original score on stage alongside the dancers.  The sets, designed by Jen Trieloff, and costumes, designed by Karen Brown-Larimore, are being created in the steampunk style, Smith’s unique twist on the Dracula story.

Steampunk denotes science fiction or fantasy works set in a world where steam power is still predominant and features futuristic technology based on Victorian and Edwardian clothing, culture, architectural style, and art. Steampunk began as a subculture, but has become in vogue due to its prevalence in art, film, fashion and music. The steampunk style, coupled with the popularity of vampire and Gothic themed entertainment, make “Dracula” the ideal production to engage a younger audience than the more traditional works classical ballet.

With a lifelong love for rock and roll along with his contemporary ballet roots, Smith credits his Little Brother (through Big Brothers Big Sisters) for inspiring him to put a vampire story on the ballet stage.

“This is like nothing you have ever seen from the Madison Ballet,” said Smith. “Seduction, love and desire all come together in this classic story that is transformed into dance. This is very different and I’m so thrilled to share what we have put together,” adds Smith.

Dracula will join Madison Ballet’s repertoire that includes well known full-length ballets like Cinderella and Peter Pan, shorter original productions like An Evening of Romance, and its annual holiday performances of The Nutcracker.

On February 22, Madison Ballet will host its Steampunk Gala, complete with steampunk attire, at the Aldo Leopold Nature Center from 7:00-11:00 pm. Open to the public, proceeds from the Gala will help offset production expenses.  For tickets and more information call 608.278.7990.

Dracula Performance Schedule
Friday, March 8 – 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 9 – 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
Sunday, March 10 – 2:00 pm

Overture Hall, Overture Center for the Arts
Ticket Prices: $15 – $70

Madison Ballet promotes appreciation and access to ballet by providing training and performing opportunities through professionally produced productions and educational initiatives. Located at 160 Westgate Mall, Ste I, Madison, WI, 53711, Madison Ballet is the first professional level training program in South Central Wisconsin and one of the largest performing arts organizations in Wisconsin.

For more information on the Madison Ballet’s production of Dracula, contact Kim Straka at 608.772.7207, kim@hypecomm.com or visit www.madisonballet.org.

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