By David J. Glenn
The only thing that was brighter than the set and costumes of the presentation of “Cinderella on Ice” Sunday at Queensborough Community College was the sparkle of the stage lights glistening off the silver of the performers' skates.
Add the performers' agility on the ice and the rich tones of the orchestra's rendition, and it all combined to create a storybook enchantment of color, grace, and music as the St. Petersburg State Ice ballet performed “Cinderella on Ice” as part of QCC's Professional Arts Series.
This was not anything like “Disney on Ice” presentations of classic stories – which is probably why several younger children in the audience soon became fidgety, asking their parents, “Why aren't they talking?”
To enjoy the show – which was sold out – one needed an appreciation of the symmetry of ballet and figure skating – the well-known plot was really secondary to the aesthetics of the production. One 10-year-old boy had the suggestion that if there wasn't going to be any dialogue or singing, at least there should be a narrator.
The program booklet served that function, describing the classic story scene by scene: “The quarreling sisters are fighting as usual” in Scene 1; Cinderella “is sad and dreams about the ball in the palace” in Scene 2; the “magnificent ball” is in full swing in Scene 3; “the Prince wanders the world in search of his lost love” in Scene 4; in the morning in the kitchen when the Prince arrives, “in this poor, simply dressed girl he recognizes his beautiful love” in Scene 5; and in the final Scene 6, “the happy Prince and Cinderella live happily ever after.”
The next show in the QCC series might better hold the attention of young children, especially if they like singing and dancing. When “Jurys Irish Cabaret” comes to the QCC theater at 8 p.m. Friday, March 23, the presentation by Trawick Artists promises to be “a celebration of the best song, dance, music and comedy of Ireland.”
Tickets are 429, $26, and $23. Call 631-6311.
