DANCE
BY LAUREN MESSMAN
BALLET FANTASTIQUE COMPANY DANCER
LEANNE MIZZONI AS ESTHER
ESTHER THE
LIONHEARTED
AND
TWINKLE-TOED
Ballet Fantastique’s rock gospel
ballet goes biblical
A
local mother-daughter team is pushing the limits
of ballet by finding inspiration in the most
unlikely of places. For The Book of Esther, Ballet
Fantastique’s Donna Bontrager and her daughter
Hannah Bontrager go way, way back — to
approximately 486 BC — for the finale of their 2013-2014
season. What better way to end the company’s “New
Legends” series than with a story from one of the oldest
existing works of literature: The Old Testament? Mother’s
Day weekend, Ballet Fantastique, along with the award-
winning UO Gospel Singers, will bring Esther’s story to
life as a rock gospel ballet May 9-11 at the Hult Center.
Esther, one of the few biblical stories with a strong female
protagonist, is a timeless tale of courage and integrity. The
plot is simple: Esther is crowned queen of Persia, and she
keeps her Jewish faith a secret from the kingdom. But when
Haman, the King’s vizer, plots genocide against the persecuted
Hebrew people, Esther struggles with her newfound position
of power and her loyalty to the Jewish faith.
“Esther is an inspiring, nuanced story about a
lionhearted woman whose faith cuts through a world of
danger and political intrigue to save her people,” Hannah
Bontrager says.
Donna Bontrager adds, “Yes, it’s a religious story, but
we didn’t have any reservations as choreographer-
producers in tackling it through dance because this story of
good overcoming evil truly is, we believe, powerful and
resonant for all audiences.”
While staying close to the original biblical telling, the
Bontragers are most excited to portray this classic through a
visual lens. They’ve created a role for the Spirit of God, a
female dancer that guides Esther through her personal
struggle, as well as placed the UO Gospel Singers in the role
of the Hebrew people. Joining the dancers on stage will be
the Gospel Singers’ Artistic Director Andiel Brown in the
part of Mordecai, Esther’s cousin and voice of reason.
“This helps us to bring the choir into a much more
dynamic relationship with the storytelling,” Hannah Bontrager
says. “They’re not just a background musical support but
actually serve as a type of Greek chorus, almost.”
These visual twists, set against simple backdrops and
enhanced with local designer Allison Ditson’s signature
costuming, help translate Esther’s story in a visually
powerful and contemporary context. But regardless of the
story’s chosen medium, Ballet Fantastique hopes to place
The Book of Esther’s valuable themes at the forefront.
“This is really a story about people and how they
choose to live their life,” Donna Bontrager says. “We can
either rise to the challenge or we can just give up. This is
a story about courage, seizing opportunities to help and the
faith that’s going to have some kind of result.” ■
The Book of Esther: A Rock Gospel Ballet runs 7:30 pm Friday, May 9,
Saturday, May 10, and 2:30 pm Sunday, May 11, at the Hult Center; $28-$48,
college and youth discounts available.
Show
Mom the
Love…
Lush Hanging Baskets
Elegant Garden Art
Fresh Herbs
Luxurious Soaps
& Lotions
Colorful Cards
& Candles
Kitchen Uniques
Beautiful Baskets
Mother’s Day is
this Sunday
HOME, GARDEN & GIFT
5th & Olive Street
541-342-6820
25th & Willamette Street
541-349-0556
Monday-Friday 10-6
Saturday 9-6 (spring hours)
Sunday 10-5
eugeneweekly.com • May 8, 2014
39