Swan Lake

Two nights ago I went to the ballet for the first time.  The Russian National Ballet Theatre was performing just 6 miles from my home at Armstrong Auditorium.  Now mind you, this is all from the perspective of a girl from Texas/Oklahoma who has only ever learned the two-step and Cotton-eyed Joe, but I believe, if you are going to see one ballet in your life, it should be the Russian Ballet performing Swan Lake.  (Too many commas?  Anyway.)

You can find several places on the web with a better report of the story, but here is my quick version.

Boy comes of age, has big party, and is told he must marry soon.  He's not thrilled with the prospect, goes hunting with friends.  Meets beautiful girl, who along with many other girls, is a swan by day, girl by night.  this of course is due to evil wizard.  (Isn't always?)  The spell can only be broken by true love.  Wizard finds out boy has fallen for girl/swan.  Takes his own daughter to boy's next party.  She looks like the first girl and he professes his love for her, making it impossible to break the spell.  Boy realizes mistake and returns to the lake to seek forgiveness, which he is given.  Now here is where it gets murky.  There are several endings.  She commits suicide, or they both do, breaking the spell due to the act of love.  The wizard is killed, breaking the spell.  Another has her dying but resurrecting to human form.

It was really interesting to see this acted out in dance.  The costumes were beautiful as were the stage settings.  Some were still in use from the 1960's.  One thing, if I'm going to watch men in tights, it is much more fun when they have 100+ more pounds one them and a star on their helmet.  (I am an girl from Texas!)

I really did enjoy the evening and would go again in a heartbeat!

The Black Swan-Odile

The White Swan-Odette, Prince Siegfried, Von Rothbart-the sorcerer

Armstrong Auditorium-Edmond, OK

Tabitha-she's a guide at Armstrong Auditorium, and my daughter