Central Ballet Theatre to present ‘Rapunzel’ Jan. 16-18 in AHB Auditorium

Fionna Scruggs is one of three dancers to portray Rapunzel at various ages in “Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale,” a production of Central Ballet Theatre of Greeneville. Scruggs practices a dance with Joshua Kurtzberg, who portarys Brynn in the ballet, loosely adapted from Disney’s “Tangled.” Photo courtesy of PicsByHil Photography

Central Ballet Theatre of Greeneville will present “Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale,” a thought-provoking take on the classic story, Jan. 16-18 at Tusculum College.

The three-act ballet will be performed in the auditorium of the Annie Hogan Byrd Fine Arts Building on the Tusculum College campus. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2 and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18.

Central Ballet’s productions differ from many other ballets in that they are narrated and use conservative costumes. “A very important goal for Central Ballet Theatre is to allow audience members to concentrate on the storyline and the characters as they come alive on the stage,” said Lori Ann Sparks, Central Ballet’s artistic director. “We want everyone to understand the story instead of just watching dancing. Our audiences are smart, so we perform stories that make the audience think through issues and leave with new thoughts, and hopefully leave feeling blessed. Even our youngest attendees will enjoy the story of ‘Rapunzel.’”

The ballet is loosely adapted from Disney’s movie, “Tangled,” which animator Glen Keane produced with the Bible verse James 1:17 in mind, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Audience members will find familiar characters in Central Ballet’s storyline, and its ballet version speaks of the Christian walk and emphasizes the Bible verse, 1 John 3:16, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.”

“Rapunzel” includes the redemption of a sinful man and the return of the daughter of the King.  Along the way, it explores Mother Gothal’s total selfishness versus Rapunzel’s selfless love, Brynn’s growing understanding of goodness versus evil, and a steadfastness and parental love by a royal family.

Dillon Davis and Katie Kricko rehearse one of the dances of the King and Queen for the upcoming production of “Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale,” by Central Ballet Theatre of Greeneville. Performances will be this weekend at the Annie Hogan Byrd Auditorium on the Tusculum College campus. Photo courtesy of PicsByHil Photography

The cast includes both local dancers and professionals. Dancers will portray Rapunzel at different ages: little Rapunzel, alternately by Gretta Woodhouse and Carlie Shipley, both of Greeneville; middle Rapunzel by Elizabeth Bosse of Jefferson City and the older Rapunzel by Fiona Scruggs of Morristown. Other local dancers include Katie Kricko, who plays the Queen; Sarah Bosse, who portrays the Holy Spirit; David Sparks as the detective horse, and Ben and Elizabeth Sparks, who portray the thugs.

Mother Gothal will be portrayed by Central Ballet’s Artistic Director Lori Ann Sparks. Parke Brumit, a resident Central Ballet company dancer and president of its board, will be dancing the water pas de deux and the flower soloist as well as the King’s sister. A second guest dancer who works with Central Ballet on a regular basis is Joslyn Frazee of Jefferson City, who has helped in technical ballet direction this year.

The King is portrayed by Dillon Davis, a guest professional dancer from the Chattanooga Ballet who has danced professionally with the Nashville Ballet and Dance Theater of Tennessee, where he worked with world-renowned choreographers. Brynn is portrayed by guest artist Joshua Kurtzberg, whom audience may remember from his portrayal of the lead role in last year’s Central Ballet production of “Prince Caspian: Return to Narnia.”

Putting together a performance the size of “Rapunzel,” requires much work from a number of volunteers from the local community in sewing costumes, building and painting sets, organizing the young dancers, working in the box office, preparing the music, ushering and working backstage. Every minute of a Central Ballet production has been estimated to require 150 man-hours from both volunteer and paid workers. Among those who have spent many volunteer hours in set production are Nan Anderson, Blair Berry and Sherry Peters. Costumes have been sewn by Jody Johnson, Becky Randles, Lisa Marie Hixon, Jeanettte Duryea, Tara Scruggs and many others. Cindy Kricko, Sharla Butler, Sara Aiken and Becky Johnson have assisted in coordinating activities needed in the pre-production.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students, children and senior citizens. To reserve tickets, call 423-724-7014 or visit the General Morgan Inn, Three Blind Mice or Richland Creek Gifts to purchase tickets in advance. Tickets may also be reserved by calling Tusculum College Arts Outreach at 423-798-1620. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.