Shakespeare, but harder to understand

Despite the fact that a Shakespearean plot can be hard enough to understand even with a script, Ballet West began their 2008-09 season with Michael Smuin’s “The Tempest” on Nov. 7 at the Capitol Theatre.

Student rush tickets are available to UVU students one hour prior to curtain. With one student ID you can purchase up to two half-price tickets at the Capitol Theater ticket office.

“The Tempest,” based on the play by William Shakespeare, originally aired on PBS in 1981, according to the choreographer Smuin’s biography on FilmReference.com. It was nominated for an Emmy.

According to a 2007 article in the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE, Smuin worked with Ballet West in the 1950s when he moved from Montana to Utah on a dance scholarship at the University of Utah.

Smuin died last year of a heart attack.
The commissioned score, based on the music of Henry Purcell, will be played by the Utah Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Terence Kern.

The original story by Shakespeare is already highly dramatic, with a shipwreck, fairies, a wizard, and of course, forbidden, true love. Ballet West is capitalizing on the drama, filling the Capitol Theater’s large proscenium stage with monsters, gods, goddesses, and of course the beautiful talent of the dancers.

Before every performance, Ballet West offers a free primer course, called Warm Ups. Bring questions, and be prepared to discuss what happens backstage, information about the legendary choreograper, history of the ballet, etc. Warm Ups begin one hour prior to the show.

More information

Who: Ballet West

What: The Tempest

When: Now through Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Nov. 15.

Where: Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 S. in downtown SLC. $5 event parking is available across the street.

Tickets: $18-$72, with half-price student rush tickets available at the box office. Call 801-355-ARTS or go to www.arttix.org