Ballet Tucson opens season with 'Phantom of the Opera' and more

Audiences can expect a mix of classical favorites, contemporary creations and a signature local twist on a beloved story, all brought to life by a versatile company of dancers and students from the School of Ballet Tucson.

Artistic Director Margaret Mullin described the company’s approach as a celebration of contrasts.

“A lot of people kind of have a very particular image of what ballet is, and some of that is beautiful, and we want to highlight that,” she said. “We have ‘Black Swan Pas de Deux,’ which is very classic. Same thing with my ‘Clair de Lune Pas de Deux,’ very, very elegant pieces.

“However, we also like to show something athletic and daring, showing that drama and ballet can be a lot of things. Strength and ballet can mean a lot, and I think it’s really fun for audiences to experience.”

This weekend’s lineup includes Paul Gibson’s “Sense of Doubt,” a neoclassical piece that rehearsal director Brik Middlekauff described as “bold, daring, athletic … dramatic in its own way” alongside the two other works.

The program also features the Ballet Tucson premiere of resident choreographer Chieko Imada’s “Phantom of the Opera,” inspired by Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel and the 1925 silent film.

Imada’s piece includes a dramatic falling chandelier, a haunting boat ride and a classroom scene featuring students from the School of Ballet Tucson in a nod to Edgar Degas’ iconic ballerina paintings.

“We have 34 dancers in our company, including apprentices, and 25 of our students in the performance as well, which is really exciting to have them on stage with us,” Middlekauff said.

This is the company’s first time performing in the Temple of Music and Art, which company officials say allows them more flexibility in staging.

“The theater itself is great,” Middlekauff said. “We would love to make the Temple of Music and Art one of our permanent homes.”

For the dancers, the work offers both challenge and creative opportunity. Ballerina Danielle Corte, performing a demanding solo in Paul Gibson’s “Sense of Doubt,” described the experience as “extremely athletic, extremely fast.”

“If you have any doubt going into it, it’s going to look like you’re holding back,” she said. “You have to go from zero to 100 on stage while carrying a story.”

She also emphasized the advantage of working directly with the choreographer, who spent two weeks in Tucson working with Ballet Tucson on the piece.

“Even though someone else originated this role, I can make it my own, and he’s giving me the power to do that,” she said.

Mullin, who co-curates the season with Imada, said the Halloween weekend timing and the theater’s historic ambiance influenced their selection of pieces.

“We wanted to tie together mystery, daring and a little haunting beauty,” she said. “ ‘Phantom of the Opera’ fit perfectly with the theater and the weekend, and everything else in the program complements that tone.”

Performances will take place at the Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave., at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $32 through Ballet Tucson, ballettucson.org.