When Denver’s Ballet Ariel takes the stage Sunday night at the Smiley Building for “The Birth of Rock and Roll,” it will be a special night for at least one of the dancers. And more than a bit familiar, too.
Claire Snyder grew up in Durango and studied for years under Lisa Bodwalk at The Dance Center on that very stage. She’s now a full-fledged professional dancer, performing regularly with the troupe throughout the Mountain West.
The 10-person Ballet Ariel will be joined by local dancers Anya Snyder (no relation), Dasha Eggleston, Edde Lyons and Claire’s sister, Mary Grace Snyder.
For the show, the dancers will perform to the music of the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, which is quite a departure from standard ballet fare. It’s not rock ’n’ roll, per se; the musical exploration begins before that with hits from the swing era of Benny Goodman and his big-band counterparts.
Also on the bill is the jump-and-jive music of the ’40s and ’50s as well as electric blues. It all led up to the musical explosion of the 1950s ignited by Elvis Presley.
The story is told through a traveling musician, in this case Ballet Ariel’s Peter Strand. Strand dances his way through about 30 years of musical history, joined by various members of the company along the way.
Ballet Ariel was founded in 1998 by Ilena Norton. The troupe presents original ballets in classical and contemporary settings. Seasonal runs take place at the Pace Center in Parker and the Cleo Parker Robinson Theatre in Denver, and the troupe makes many road trips throughout the region. Sunday will mark its first visit to Durango.
ted@durangoherald.com
If you go
Ballet Ariel will present “The Birth of Rock and Roll” at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Smiley Building, 1309 East Third Ave. Tickets cost $10 for children, $15 for students/seniors and $20 for adults, available in advance from Maria’s Bookshop (960 Main Ave.) online at www.balletariel.org or by calling (303) 945-4388.
