Patricia Barker, Artistic Director
the
HAPPY&PRINCE other Wilde tales
MAY 4-6 & 11-12, 2018 | PETER MARTIN WEGE THEATRE
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GRAND RAPIDS BALLET STAFF COMPANY Artistic Director Patricia Barker Incoming Artistic Director James Sofranko Executive Director Glenn Del Vecchio Creative Director Michael Auer Development Director Elizabeth McCarthy Musil Marketing Director Michael Erickson Production Stage Manager Mellissa Slack Costumer Shop Manager Jessica Peacock-Gilbertson Costumers Sadie Rothenberg, Brennan Smith Company/Facilities Manager John Ferraro Box Office Manager Kelly Herremans Artistic Coordinator Dawnell Dryja Black Ballet Master Steven Houser Guest Services Manager Errol Shewman
SCHOOL Director & Junior Company Director Attila Mosolygo Curriculum Coordinator Mindy Mosolygo Administrator SarahJean Bos Faculty Lara Faucher, Connie Flachs, Jillian Gasper, Ednis Gomez, Steven Houser, Melissa Hudecz, Gina McFadden Claire Millard, Yuka Oba, Taryn Streasick, Kara Taylor, Jessica Winter-Troutwine Pianists Ryan Blok, Kenneth Creager, Brendan Hollins, Idalmira Lopez, Mark Moran, Lonnie Ostrander Night Receptionists Mary-Ann Carpenter, Madeline Harrington
the
GRAND RAPIDS BALLET presents
HAPPY&PRINCE other Wilde tales
CHOREOGRAPHER:
REHEARSAL ASSISTANTS:
SCENIC & PROP DESIGNER:
COSTUME DESIGNER:
Penny Saunders Steven Houser & Dawnell Dryja John Ferraro Sadie Rothenberg & Penny Saunders
COSTUME PRODUCTION:
Jessica Peacock-Gilbertson, Brennan Smith & Sadie Rothenberg
LIGHTING DESIGNER:
Michael Mazzola
PROJECTION DESIGNER:
Michael Auer
PROJECTION CONTENT:
Michael Auer & Isaac Aoki
PRODUCTION STAGE MANAGER:
Mellissa Slack
STORYLINE ASSISTANT:
Connie Flachs
VOCAL COACH:
Brendan Hollins
SOUND EDITING:
Penny Saunders
MUSIC:
Sir Charles Hubert Parry, Alexander Raskatov, Frederic Chopin, Johann & Josef Strauss, Alexandre Desplat, Steven Isserlis & Thomas Ades, Benjamin Britten, Georg Christoph Wagenseil, Nicholas Britell, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Olafur Arnalds & Alice Sara Ott, and Michael Wall
LIGHTING PROGRAMMER/ MASTER ELECTRICIAN:
Matthew Taylor
PRODUCTION ENGINEER:
Glenn Gould
PRODUCTION PROPERTIES:
PRODUCTION AUDIO:
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER:
SHOW SPONSOR:
Ben Knudstrup Randy Hoekstra Margaret Peterson Patrick McConeghy
by Charles Busch
A comedic portrait of an over-the-hill actress—a classic New York curmudgeon, at war with the world. Shaken by the sight of a ghost and a series of outrageous coincidences, she learns that it’s never too late to change one’s life.
GRCC’s Spectrum Theater - 160 Fountain NE Thurs & Sat. June 14, 16, 21 & 23 @ 8 p.m. Sun. June 17 & 24 @ 3 p.m. h s i w e J e to b
n’t have atre You doove Jewish The L o t Ballet Olive Ad2.indd 1
Tickets: 616-234-3946 or Online: jtgr.org
A NOTE FROM PENNY SAUNDERS
3/31/18 10:14 AM
This project, although exhilarating and inspiring, has been an enormous challenge for me as an artist. It would not have been even possible if it weren’t for the endless amount of support I have received from my Grand Rapids family. From the initial spark of an idea to the full-scale production you will see today, so much love and dedication has been poured into this work. The dancers, the staff, and the production team have gone above and beyond with me on this journey. It is with great gratitude and an immense sense of hope that we invite you into this world dedicated to the life and works of Oscar Wilde. Enjoy!
Years Celebrating Our 30th Anniversary Season!
the
HAPPY&PRINCE other Wilde tales written by Connie Flachs
“It is through art, and through art only, that we can realize our perfection; through art and art only that we can shield ourselves from the sordid perils of actual existence.” —Oscar Wilde
The Happy Prince
ACT I
Oscar Wilde, already an established and beloved poet and playwright, looks on as the London streets bustle beneath him. He joins the action on the street, theatrically reading his playful children’s tales to the passing youth. His mother greets him and together they poke fun at Victorian society’s strict conventions, while keeping an eye out for a wife suited to his fashionable lifestyle. Encouraged by his parents, Oscar meets the beautiful, clever, and poised Constance Lloyd. A flirtatious courtship ensues, resulting in a happy and enthusiastic marriage. They are a popular couple, admired for their witty humor and audacious fashion. All appears wonderful and satisfactory and the pair decide to start a family.
The Selfish Giant
After the birth of their second son, cracks emerge in the strength of their marriage and Oscar finds solace in his friend Robert Ross. Through Ross, Oscar is introduced to Lord Alfred Douglas, known as Bosie, who fills the needs Constance can no longer meet. Bosie, well aware of Oscar’s infatuation, leverages Oscar’s devotion to him to convince Oscar to cater to his every need. Bosie gets Oscar acquainted with London’s bawdy underground society. As Oscar sinks deeper into his treacherous relationship with Bosie he becomes further estranged from his family, absorbed in his new, alternate life. A beautiful linnet emerges: Can this hopeful bird help him to overcome his selfishness? Or perhaps it is the society that is selfish, determined to define devotion in a specific way rather than acknowledge the complexities of relationships and the sentiment that, ultimately, love is love.
ACT II The Nightingale & The Rose
The Wildes throw a moon-lit garden party to mark Oscar’s literary success and to quash recent rumors that have sprung up about his affairs. Constance and Oscar are still a highly fashionable couple, but suspicions have arisen that all is not rosy between them. Indeed, as the party cedes to the privacy of the Wilde’s home, Constance can no longer turn a blind eye to her husband’s infidelities. She withdraws with the children, determined to maintain her honor. Oscar is disgracing the family name. This Happy Prince has fallen from his pedestal. The public, who loved him so much, turns on him and Oscar is cast into exile. With his reputation, finances, and career in ruin, he is left to reflect on his life, career, and lovers. From this bleakness, a nightingale emerges singing a sweet and beautiful birdsong that lingers as all else fades. As the final notes play, Oscar and the Nightingale merge into one, giving up their hearts for love and beauty.
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4/9/18 5:42 PM
2017-2018 SEASON DANCERS
Steven Houser
Connie Flachs
Yuka Oba
Sidney Scully
Micaelina Ritschl
Ednis Gomez
Cassidy Isaacson
Isaac Aoki
Branden Rainers
Nigel Tau
Matthew Wenckowski
Grace Haskins
Levi Teachout
Mari Beer
Ashley Conroy
Adriana Wagenveld
Lydia Slack
Benjamin Waldvogel
Fiona Staczek
Amadeo Lopez-Keranen
Jade Butler
Cherilene Guzman
Catherine Lasak
Claire Ashcraft
Gretchen Steimle
Emily Barrows
Madison Massara
Kelsey Minzenmayer
David Senti
Celeste Lopez-Keranen
Payton Field
Ruby Staczek
Lauren Yordanich
Grace Young
Want to learn more about your favorite Grand Rapids Ballet dancers? To read their bios, find links to their Instagram, and more, visit grballet.com/dancers. Or check out their bios hanging in the lobby.
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MEET THE CHARACTERS OF
HAPPY&PRINCE other Wilde tales Oscar Wilde, The Happy Prince
A talented playwright, poet, and author with a penchant for flowery language, gaudy fashion, and witty humor. At the height of his career he is a beloved figure in London society. He values beauty in art above utility or deeper meaning and strives to create “art for art’s sake.” After the birth of his second son, Wilde loses his strong attraction to his wife and is tempted by newfound affections. He spends few nights at home, living in lavish hotels with his lover Bosie, and sees his children rarely. His inflated ego convinces him to bring a court case of libel he has no chance of winning and this naive pride lands him in jail, his family broken and the name of Wilde disgraced. Oscar is left in jail to mull over his actions. With his reputation ruined from his commitment to love, he continues to write, still faithful to his art and its beauty. His health suffers while serving his time and upon his release he lives only three more years, dying at the age of forty-six. I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying. —Oscar Wilde
Constance Lloyd, Oscar’s Wife
A clever writer and artistic persona herself, Constance and Oscar are fully and authentically in love as newlyweds. She shares his love of unusual dress and helps to design their London home in the most progressive fashion and together they have two children, Cyril and Vyvyan. The air is full of the music of your voice, my soul and body seem no longer mine, but mingled in some exquisite ecstasy with yours. —Oscar to Constance
Robert Ross, Oscar’s faithful friend and literary executor
A precocious art critic and dealer, Ross is a pivotal figure in London’s art scene, as well as a fan of Oscar’s work. Ross is openly gay and makes no secret of his attraction to Wilde, introducing Oscar to love. They remain close: Ross is the helpful swallow to Oscar’s Happy Prince, offering him support and compassion throughout his life. Ross is instrumental in the protection and distribution of Wilde’s work after his death. Friendship is far more tragic than love. It lasts longer. —Oscar on Robert He was never quite sure himself where and when he was serious. —Robert on Oscar
Lord Alfred Douglas (Bosie), Oscar’s lover
Handsome, spoiled, and utterly reckless, Bosie is in his undergraduate studies when he first meets Oscar. They quickly become passionate, tumultuous lovers. Oscar does his best to satisfy any and all of Bosie’s materialistic and romantic desires. Bosie does little to repay him, dragging Wilde deeper into an illicit world, acting incredibly rude towards Constance, and antagonizing those who disapprove of the two men’s relationship. When you are not on your pedestal, you are not interesting. —Bosie to Oscar The basis of character is will power, and my will became utterly subject to yours. —Oscar to Bosie
Jane & William Wilde, Oscar’s mother and father
Jane Wilde is a writer herself, involved in many progressive political movements, advocating for better education and more rights for women. She passes this critical attitude towards established society onto her son and supports even his far-fetched endeavors. William Wilde is a remarkable eye and ear surgeon who earned his knighthood in Ireland. [My mother] and my father had bequeathed me a name they had made noble and honoured, not merely in literature, art, archaeology, and science, but in the public history of my own country, in its evolution as a nation. —Oscar on his parents
Linnet
A hopeful bird who is a harbinger of good news, around to help the Selfish Giant locate his gratitude and reconnect with the youthful innocence of children. The birds sat on the trees and sang so sweetly that the children used to stop their games in order to listen to them. “How happy we are here!” they cried to each other. —The Selfish Giant
Nightingale
This brave, idealistic bird values love over all else. She will go as far as to give her own life to ensure that the beauty and hope of true love may have a chance to flourish. Be happy, be happy; you shall have your red rose. I will build it out of music by moonlight, and stain it with my own heart’s-blood. All that I ask of you in return is that you will be a true lover. —The Nightingale & The Rose
WRITTEN BY CONNIE FLACHS COSTUME SKETCHES BY SADIE ROTHENBERG
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