THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 9, 1995 TAG: 9506070158
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ERIC FEBER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 112 lines
``Lily and the Gypsies'' will once again entertain audiences with its Russian-style dancing, story line, costumes and set designs.
This is the second time around for the original ballet written by Arnora D. Hummel, founder and director of the Chesapeake-based Academie de Ballet at 501 Kempsville Road.
The ballet enjoyed its premiere two years ago at Virginia Beach's Tallwood High School. For this second run, the performance will take place in the ornate rococo confines of Norfolk's Wells Theater June 15-18.
The production will be under the aegis of MasterWorks Inc., a non-profit organization that highlights young talent in Chesapeake and surrounding cities.
``MasterWorks was founded last year,'' Hummel said. ``We are in the process of developing a formal organization and forming a board of directors. I think it's a marvelous idea, and we envision an umbrella organization that will eventually expand into music, drama and the visual arts.''
Hummel, who is choreographer and director, is thrilled that the production will take place on the Wells Theatre stage, but she wished it could have taken place right here in her own backyard.
``It's very frustrating trying to set up a production in Chesapeake,'' she said. ``We wish we could have a fine arts performing center here in the city.''
Nevertheless, Hummel said this year's production of ``Lily and the Gypsies'' will feature several changes from the 1993 version.
``I've made about 10 changes, subtle changes,'' she explained. ``I've made some changes in the music, changed some scenes and improved some of the production techniques.''
The ballet will employ the talents of about 70 dancers, whose ages range from 8-years-old to adult.
Some of the principal dancers include Chesapeake resident Seth Martin as the younger Josef, along with Virginia Beach residents Alison Zenzel as the older Lily, Janna Ridley as the younger Lily, Steven Samotis as the elder Josef, Don Burt as the Evil Spirit, Taryan Mulford as the Gypsy Queen and Aimee Long as Katia, the snooty school girl.
Also included in the cast is Elbert Watson, who plays the part of the Angel. Watson, who is also one of Hummel's principal dance instructors, once danced with the prestigious Alvin Ailey Dance Company, has choreographed and worked with the Virginia Ballet Theatre and teaches dance at the Norfolk Academy.
``We've been working together for about two years,'' Hummel said. ``He's also a big part of the MasterWorks organization, and he's an integral part part of the school.''
The production also includes costume design by Robielle Rosenfarb, Amy Krimsier, Christine Hartsfield and Amy Correll. The drama director and lighting designer is Don Burt, assistant director is Karen Mulford and the stage art and set designs were created by Rosenfarb and David Hummel.
Hummel said the production will use pre-recorded music by such masters as Bartok, Beethoven, Rossini, Smetana, Gounod, Massanet and others. She said she wished she could use an original musical score performed by a live orchestra. But right now that takes more time and costs too much money.
``That would be nice,'' she said, ``but we are using wonderful and expressive classical music. I listened to hours of music to come up with the right music for each scene. That was fun to do. As I was listening to each piece of music, I could see the different scenes in my head. It all spoke to me.''
This year's production will also feature a formal book that will be available at each performance. The 85-page book, written by Hummel's husband David, is based on his wife's original story.
``He just pulled together the details of the story,'' she said. ``It would be something a parent would have fun reading to a child.''
Hummel said ``Lily and the Gypsies'' is in the classic style of dance narrative and tells the story of the young daughter of an American diplomat in Croatia in the late 19th century.
``It's full of intrigue, romance and innocent love,'' she said.
Lily is devastated when she learns her parents are lost at sea and presumed dead. With her friend Josef, she runs away from her fancy boarding school but is captured by a band of Gypsies. The plot is full of humor, drama, twists and turns, as Lily and Josef grow up while living with the Gypsies as they travel through Eastern Europe. Throughout the story they always seem to be one step behind or ahead of her searching parents.
Hummel said the story is full of memorable characters and is danced in the classic Russian Vaganova style.
``I feel it is a stronger and more precise expression of dance,'' she said. ``But we don't just dance. All of the performers must also act out their characters and scenes. The production uses no dialogue, so we couldn't possibly tell the story without acting. It would go flat.''
One thing that isn't flat is Hummel's dance experience.
The Phoenix, Ariz., native trained for dance on the West Coast and in New Mexico under Dr. Charles Fishback. She also studied at the University of Cincinnati under Robert Joffrey. She danced a little professionally but always felt drawn to teaching and opening her own school.
She later became choreographer for the Cincinnati Music Theatre and ran a dance school in Arizona that counted up to 600 students at one time. She retired from dancing due to family obligations but returned years later after moving to South Hampton Roads.
After her children were grown up, she decided to begin teaching again, opening the Academie de Ballet at the Greenbrier Shoppes shopping center. She started five years ago with just 32 pupils and now counts an enrollment of about 260 students.
``I do this because I love children,'' she said. ``I love to see them develop. And I love drawing out their potential and see it come bursting forth.''``Lily and the Gypsies'' will once again entertain audiences with its Russian-style dancing, story line, costumes and set designs. MEMO: The MasterWorks production of ``Lily and the Gypsies'' takes place at 7
p.m. on June 15-17 and at 2 p.m. on June 18 at the Wells Theatre,
Downtown Norfolk. Tickets are $6 in advance or $7 at the door. Group
rates are available. For tickets or more information, call 474-0242 or
548-2122.
by CNB