David Bintley’s ‘
Still Life’ at the Penguin Cafe
- Photo Bill Cooper
FEBRUARY 2018 | SARASOTA SCENE 51
“It starts off with the most amazing music and
costumes and choreography, set to Mendelssohn’s
wonderful score,” Webb said. “You see that wildlife
have been killed to give humans their fashion
statements. But all through it you have this great,
lively dancing that is musical and very entertaining,
with a powerful message.”
The Sarasota Orchestra will accompany this
performance, he added, conducted by American
Ballet Theatre Music Director Ormsby Wilkins.
“I’d say our biggest challenge is that we have a very
short period of time to rehearse these ballets,” Webb
said. “But doing Dreams of Nature is a big step
forward for a company of our size. We’re performing
works that are normally only ever done by the major
companies such as American Ballet Theatre and
Washington Ballet. I love the challenge, raising the
bar and doing ballets no one else has had the chance
to do.”
Webb added he hopes audiences will see how The
Sarasota Ballet is “flying Sarasota’s flag” in the ballet
world by mounting productions of a heightened
caliber.
“In The Dream, they’ll get a perfect telling of
Shakespeare’s timeless play,” he said. “It’s got
Mendelssohn’s music, performed live by a wonderful
orchestra. With Penguin Café, they’ll get a huge visual
richness and tremendous choreography. It’s a treat for
the senses and great entertainment with a profound
message that we really do have to be careful with
the environment, for the sake of our children and the
future of our planet.”
Dreams of Nature will play at the Van Wezel
Performing Arts Hall, located at 777 N. Tamiami
Trail in Sarasota, at 7:30 p.m. on March 2 and 2 p.m.
and 7:30 p.m. on March 3. Ticket prices start at $30.
For more information, call 941.359.0099 or visit
sarasotaballet.org.
/sarasotaballet.org