Snow White: The Ballet

Snow White

The Ballet

by Gina Castro

f you’ve seen Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, you may think you know everything there is to know about this tale. However, Ballet Pensacola found there is much more to this fairytale classic. Blending the Grimm brothers’ version of Snow White with the ballet’s original ideas, Ballet Pensacola created a spellbinding performance: Snow White: The Ballet.

This ballet will feature the usual characters, such as Snow White, the evil queen, the prince, huntsman and, of course, the seven dwarfs. But with a twist. Snow White won’t be saved this time by true love’s first kiss. Instead, it’s up to her trusty friends, the seven dwarfs, to save her.

The evil queen has a new henchman doing her bidding in this production. A dark, mysterious creature will be causing trouble for Snow White and her friends. Fortunately, another kind, helpful creature will be added to balance this battle between the good and the bad.

“Our entire professional company will be in the show. Our upper level academy students will be in it. They’ll be all of our creatures, critters in the woods and our happy little animals,” director of this production, Debi Janea said. “I’m really excited because our dwarfs are a set of our younger students in the academy. They have a big task on their hands because they are a very big part of the story. The dwarfs are the ones that end up saving the day.” Ballet Pensacola is excited to have former dancer and Interim Artistic Director, Janea leading this production. As Janea explained, the seven dwarfs will be played by some of the ballet’s youngest dancers. The dwarfs’ ages range from just 10 years old to 13 years old.

“Our dwarfs are very excited. They get to be big characters, be goofy, silly and just all over the place,” Janea said. “I think it’s a challenge for the kids to be such a character, but they’re definitely having fun with it.”

Principal dancer Hannah Holtzclaw will be dancing the role of Snow White in this hourlong performance.

Although COVID-19 has been a challenge for Ballet Pensacola, the pandemic hasn’t made it impossible to put a show together. Janea explained that Ballet Pensacola has been very careful during this time. Dancers are required to wear masks throughout practice and while backstage, unless they are applying makeup. During performances on stage, the dancers don’t wear face masks.

“Our professionals all just feel so lucky that we are still employed, still dancing and able to perform on a stage because we understand how significant that is right now,” Janea said. “I think our kids are really looking forward to being on stage and being able to get creative.”

Snow White: The Ballet will be performed at the historic downtown Cultural Arts Center on April 9 & 16, and April 10 & 17 at 7 pm with matinee performances on April 11 & 18 at 2:30 pm.

For more information visit balletpensacola. org or call 850-432-9546. Tickets are available for purchase for as low as $28, plus applicable facility fees, through the BalletPensacola website at balletpensacola. org/performances/ticket-information or by calling the Ballet Pensacola offices at 850.432.9546. Tickets are also available through Pensacola Little Theatre box office at 850-432-2042. Financial support is also provided in part by the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs and ACE.