Cuba National Ballet Takes Up Another Literary Classic: Cinderella

The National Ballet of Cuba, under the direction of the legendary artist Alicia Alonso, announced today that it will perform in this capital one of the most famous stories by Frenchman Charles Perrault: Cinderella.

The season will take place at the Great Theater of Havana Alicia Alonso, on July 19th, 20th, 21st  and 22nd, choreographed by Cuban Pedro Consuegra.

The creator was inspired by the story of Perrault of the same name to compose a dance version of Cinderella in two acts and four scenes, with music by Johann Strauss (son) and designs by Armin Heinemann.

The work was premiered in 1996 in this capital with an excellent reception from the public and critics, and as the main course of the next season the company announces the debuts in the main roles of young dancers, who will share the scene with the experienced ones.

Grettel Morejón, Rafael Quenedit and Bárbara Fabelo make up the cast of the first show; Ginett Moncho, Adrián Sánchez and Chavela Riera will assume the second; while Chanell Cabrera and Yankiel Vázquez will star in the third; and Viengsay Valdés, Dani Hernández and Claudia García will close the sets.

Next to Greta, Gustavo and the Fairy Rava appears Leontine, the stepmother, whose roll will be alternated between Ernesto Díaz and Yansiel Pujada.

In the opinion of the North American journalist Lewis Segal, of Los Angeles Time, The Cinderella of the National Ballet of Cuba becomes a version in which the character and the spirit remain subordinated to the classic narration.

Meanwhile, the Spanish critic Julio Bravo, of the newspaper ABC, highlighted the funny epilogue introduced by Consuegra in the style of the great classical ballets and a risky, brilliant and elaborate final pas de deux.