“Rite of Spring” danced for Mainstage

Opening Friday, March 3, “The Rite of Spring and Other Dances” will be performed by students under the direction of Paul Mockovak (theatre and dance) for the Walter Gloor Mainstage Series.  Tickets are on sale at the Central Ticket Office at 7126-673-3501.

The 8 p.m. performances continue March 4, 9, 10, and 11 in Marvel Theatre, and there is a matinee at 2 on March 5. 

Theatre and Dance Professor Paul Mockovak, left, directs "The Rite of Spring and Other Dances."

The program includes several dances, two choreographed by Professor Mockovak, and culminates in a portion of the powerful and controversial 1913 work by composer Igor Stravinsky and choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky.

At its Paris premiere, the "Rite of Spring's" unconventional music, cutting-edge dance style, and pagan theme of death and rebirth worked the audience at the Théatre des Champs-Elysées into such a passion that the producer was forced to flash the house lights to regain order. The Mainstage version of “The Rite of Spring” will use scaled-down choreography by Randolph Parrott of Miami-based Ballet Randolph.

Professor Mockovak has been putting 15 Fredonia dancers through the paces to prepare for opening night. “Rehearsals are going well,” he said.  “I have a talented cast that is very committed and responsive to the material.  I see their growth daily.” 

The program will include another Randolph Parrott piece, Appassionato, which Mr. Mockovak called “pure escapism fantasy,” and two originals by Mr. Mockovak: “RED” and “American Garage,” which date back to his own days as a performer with Ballet Randolph.

Student dancers are:

• Eric Deiboldt, senior musical theatre major from Albion, NY
• Jenna Spitale, senior musical theatre major from Rochester, NY
• Josh Kimball, junior musical theatre major from Mexico, NY
• Chelsea Mauger, senior acting major from Albany, NY
• Aundre Seals, senior acting major from Vestal, NY
• Deborah Williams, sophomore musical theatre major from Rochester, NY
• Nicole Nicastro, senior musical theatre major from Whippany, NJ
• Stephanie Faatz, junior musical theatre major from Churchville, NY
• Gina Marie Epping, sophomore production design major from Webster, NY
• Laura Przybysz, freshman theatre arts major from Grand Blanc, MI
• Eric Rubinstein, sophomore music education major from St. James, NY
• Nora Grace Sanchez, senior acting major from Rochester, NY
• Tania Wilk, senior musical theatre major from Sayville, NY
• Adam Thatcher, senior musical theatre major from Milan, OH
• Jane Villella, senior acting major from Warren, PA