6 A
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016
The Dragon, Night Queen meet in Florence
Ballet Fantastique
Review
B Y E LLEN T EMPLAR
F
lorence had the unique opportunity
to witness the premier perform-
ance of “The Dragon and the Night
Queen,” created by Donna Marisa
Bontrager and her daughter, Hannah
Bontrager.
Hannah Bontrager danced several
parts and was production manager, along
with Justin Fiemster.
Gerry Rempel and Eliot Grasso creat-
ed many spectacular, original pieces and
arrangements for this dramatic ballet.
Bravo to the musician’s live perform-
ance!
Act I started in the woods with rich
colors in shades of green. The bagpipes,
“Uilleann” pipes, presented the mood for
this Celtic ballet. Dancers portrayed joy
and celebration and then the drums added
an effect similar to “River Dance.”
The dancers performed with energetic
combinations of classical ballet and folk
dance steps — a wonder to behold.
Costumes in rich, deep velvets of reds,
orange, and greens took one’s breath
away. The vocalists, Cindy Kinny and
Alyse Jamieson, created rich tones of
longing that transported the audience to
another time and place. As the drums
continued their steady pace, the musi-
cians created a gentle, yet strong feeling
of reverence.
When the hero, “Cian,” performed by
Anthony Rosario, expressed his love for
“Annora,” (Ashley Bontrager) she indi-
cated that he needed to prove his love by
acquiring a golden apple. His adventure
lead him into the enchanted forest, where
Morgan le Fey appeared.
Dancer Leanne Mizzoni created a
powerful woman of authority and wis-
dom through her dance. The music of the
ballet again grabbed you with intensity.
Mizzoni danced with the classical and
folk combination styling that was promi-
nent in this ballet.
When the cymbals chimed, the music
got faster and faster, and you felt the
excitement in the room. Morgan le Fey
instructed Cian that before she could give
him the golden apple, he must slay the
dragon and free his captive, “Princess
Serena” (Ashley Bontrager).
The magic bird, “Saoirse,” performed
by Leanne Mizzoni, accompanied Cian
on his journey. Mizzoni’s portrayal of the
bird was so believable you were actually
convinced that she was a bird. She
demonstrated excellent dramatic and
dance skills.
However, when the dragon appeared,
he stole the show.
With such understated costuming,
there was no doubt who he was and the
power he wielded. Richard Nebel II cre-
ated, with his acting ability and athletic
strength, a very believable dragon. This
writer was affected by the ability of
Princess Serena, captive of the dragon, to
keep her royal dignity even under such
difficult imprisonment.
The scene changed to a sense of stabil-
ity and permanence as two dancers repre-
sented water fountains in an ancient gar-
den. Kendra Elliott and Della Griffin dis-
played great ability to represent water
flowing into a basin through the use of
their arms alone. Their glazed look effec-
tively convinced the audience that they
were inanimate water fountains.
Act II opened to “Morrigan, the
Warrior King,” and the ravens dancing to
dramatic music.
The power of these dancers to keep up
with the Celtic drum and the fast beat of
the music was inspiring.
The battle ensued between Morrigan
and the dragon and was represented by
bold dance moves, dramatic gestures and
strengths. As the music climaxed to a
crescendo, the dragon wounded
Morrigan and Morrigan was carried away
by his companions.
This intense scene was followed by a
sweet, gentle setting of the king and
queen showing their love and affection
for each other. The heart calmed from the
previous scene as Hanna Bontrager , this
time as Queen, and Jim Ballad as King,
portrayed a loving, caring couple.
In the next scene, all characters were
in battle against the dragon. The choreog-
raphy was such that colorful costuming,
powerful and graceful dancers, and
increasingly intense music all went on at
the same time, but the spacing between
dancers allowed the audience to see all
the action at once.
Cian, taking the magical sword, con-
quered and killed the dragon brilliantly!
Richard Nebel II’s portrayal of the
dragon was exceptional and it was sad
that he would not be dancing more.
The ballet ended in great joy with
almost all characters and dancers on the
stage. The audience was instantly up on
its feet applauding as the performers
bowed repeatedly.
Presented by SEAcoast producers,
Karen Smales and Sandy Kuhlman,
Ballet Fantastique was the fourth in
Seacoast Entertainment Association’s
2015-2016 concert series.
Don’t miss the next exciting event
when SEA brings the Glenn Miller
Orchetsra to the FEC Flat Floor on
Friday, March 18, at 7 p.m.
Call the FEC box office for tickets at
541-997-1994.
Eugene pianist to tickle
ivories in Florence
Eugene pianist and compos-
er Neil Patton will be appear-
ing in concert Sunday, March
13, at 7 p.m., as part of Kathy
Parsons’ House Concert series
in Sandpines West (Florence).
Patton’s most recent album,
“Between Shadow and Light,”
was awarded Album of the
Year on MainlyPiano.com.
It has been nominated for
several other awards as well.
“‘Between Shadow and
Light’ is one of the most beau-
tiful and affecting albums I
have ever reviewed,” said
Parsons.
Patton will be playing music
from this album as well as
from his previous two solo
piano albums, ensuring that
this will be a very memorable
evening of music.
Patton composed a piano
duet with David Nevue that he
and Parsons are planning to
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Local beaders can participate in CROW contest
Local beaders and jewelry
makers are invited to partici-
pate in CROW’s upcoming
production of “Shrek the
Musical Jr.” The nonprofit
youth theatre group’s produc-
tion requires three sparkling
crystal necklaces similar to the
one worn in the animated fea-
ture films. These three neck-
laces will be worn onstage by
“Young Fiona,” “Teen Fiona”
and “Adult Fiona,” and the
actresses will get to keep them
at the end of the run.
CROW is challenging local
artists to design one, two or all
three necklaces, and the pro-
duction team will select the
three winning pieces to be
worn onstage for the show.
It is not necessary that they
all match, but that they all
coordinate and have a similar
medieval-period style.
For style ideas, CROW artis-
tic director Melanie Heard rec-
ommends jewelry artists look
at the necklaces worn in the
Big Mix at Hult
Center aims at
entrepreneurs
Kickstarter can help fund
business needs and artistic
endeavors. Entrepreneurs are
invited to come to the Big
Mix V2, an event aimed at
showing how to utilize
Kickstarter and other crowd-
funding
resources,
on
Saturday, March 12, from 1
to 5 p.m.
The event is at the Hult
Center in Eugene, on 7th and
Willamette streets.
Big Mix V2 will feature a
keynote presentation by
Terry Romero of Kickstarter,
a panel presentation by John
Hull of the University of
Oregon, and regional crowd-
funding experts in food, film,
craft and games.
Regional
Accelerator,
Innovation Network (RAIN)
and the City of Florence are
working to bring entrepre-
neurs to the Oregon coast and
activate and empower the
businesses already here.
Tickets are $25 per person
or $20 for students.
Register at www.hultcent
er.org/SiteCM3/Directory_
View.aspx?ID=4350.
Broadway production of Shrek
by Sutton Foster.
“Be creative. Use your imag-
ination — and have fun.”
Not only will the handmade
creation(s) be featured onstage
for packed houses at the
Florence Events Center (April
15-17), but the winner(s) will
receive mention in the program
as “Fiona’s Royal Jewelry
Designer,” along with two
complimentary tickets to the
show.
Deadline for submission is
March 8.
To participate, contact Heard
at 541-999-8641 or email crow
theatrekids@yahoo.com.
Participants will need to
arrange to drop off entrees to
Heard or have it picked up by a
CROW representative.
Necklaces that are not
selected to be worn onstage
will be sold at CROW’s lobby
boutique and profits will go
toward scholarships for kids
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perform together at the con-
cert.
In addition to composing
and performing, Patton is a
singer and songwriter, and has
worked as a producer and
arranger for local artists. He
also helps young musicians
find their voices as composers
and songwriters.
An
in-demand
piano
instructor, both privately and
through New Hope Christian
College, Patton also serves
part-time as Pastor of Worship
Arts at Emerald Bible
Fellowship in Eugene.
There is a suggested dona-
tion of $15 at the door. CDs
and songbooks will be avail-
able for purchase and auto-
graphing.
The address and directions
will be furnished when reser-
vations are made by calling
Parsons at 541-999-9720.
who cannot afford to attend
2016 CROW summer camp.
For more information on the
CROW nonprofit youth theatre
arts program, visit www.crow
kids.com.
541-997-9300
1739 West 22nd Street, Florence
Spruce Point Assisted Living and
Memory Care Community
Living, Loving, & Thriving
Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or other
h
her
memory related illnesses can be very overwhelming. We’re here to help.
We are offering these FREE informative events to provide support and education.
Senior Gems Video Presentation Explains the Different Stages
of Alzheimer’s Disease
Wednesday, January 13th, 2pm
Check out local incentive programs
with the power company.
Visit us at the Florence Home & Garden Show.
Mark C. Seery
Owner
CCB #119715
Eugene Office 689-2830
www.markandcowindows.com
Let me Showcase your property.
Learn the ‘Best Friends’ Approach to Caring
for a Loved One with Dementia
Wednesday, February 10th, 2pm
Managing the Challenging Behaviors of Alzheimer’s Disease
and Other Related Dementias
Wednesday, March 9th, 2pm
(541) 997-6111
375 9th St
Florence, OR 97439
www.spruce-point.com
Space is limited for these FREE
educational events. For more information
and to reserve your seat please call
(541) 997-6111, or visit us today!
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