By Sergei Prokofiev

Choreographed by Michael Pink
Directed by John Maclay
Music Direction by Carter Simmons

September 5 – 14, 2008 at Milwaukee Youth Arts Center

Three area arts groups collaborate on first of its kind production

MILWAUKEE – August 5, 2008 – Based on Sergei Prokofiev’s 1936 musical story Peter and the Wolf, a collaborative production by First Stage Children’s Theater, Milwaukee Ballet Academy and Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra re-envisions the piece with the incorporation of Spanish and American Sign language performed by some of the top high school musicians, dancers and actors in the area.  The production features the original choreography of Milwaukee Ballet Artistic Director Michael Pink, the stage direction of First Stage Associate Artistic Director John Maclay and the conducting of Carter Simmons, the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra’s Director of Artistic Education.  The mission of this collaboration is to bring together the creative spirits of each organization to produce an original work that will communicate with a younger audience, introducing them to the magic of the arts and promoting each individual art form. The show runs September 5 – 14, 2008 at the Youth Arts Hall in the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, 325 West
Walnut Street in Milwaukee.

“It is our hope that this will be the first of such collaborations, and that this production will be reproduced at other venues, throughout the greater Milwaukee area and throughout the state,” said Milwaukee Ballet’s Michael Pink, who has been a driving force behind the project.

The project aims to promote the value of the arts in the community, as well as promote the professional quality of the respective organizations.  Because of the generosity of several sponsors, including Steve and Nancy Einhorn, Angela Johnston, Madeleine and David Lubar, and the Harley Davidson Foundation, there will be four free performances for selected Milwaukee elementary schools in addition to the eight public performances.

In 1936, composer Sergei Prokofiev was commissioned by the Central Children’s Theatre to write a light-hearted piece for children that would introduce the instruments and sounds of the orchestra. Prokofiev was excited about this project, even though it did not pay much. He was given a libretto, but he did not like it and he came up with a new story himself, completing the music within a week.

The result of his efforts became Peter and the Wolf, a work still loved by children and adults alike.

In this new production of Peter and the Wolf, the single narrator has been expanded to three trios of collaborative voices featuring one trio performing in English, one in Spanish and the third in American Sign Language.  All trios are comprised of members of First Stage’s Young Company, a pre-professional acting program for high school students.  Students of the prestigious Milwaukee Ballet Academy will dance the roles of Peter and the various animals in the production, and the much-loved music will be performed by members of the top ensemble of Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, the nation’s largest youth symphony program.

“Our hope is that this venture will bring together young artists from three prominent organizations as well as offer a wonderful introduction for young people to music, theatre and dance,” said the show’s director John Maclay.  “The opportunity to be part of a chamber orchestra playing this revered work is a tremendous bonus for our students,” said Fran Richman, executive director of Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra.

ABOUT THE COMPOSER

Born on April 23, 1891 in Sontsovka, Ukraine of the former Russian Empire, Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev is considered one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century, and an accomplished pianist and conductor.  He attended the St. Petersburg Conservatory from 1904 to 1914, winning the Anton Rubinstein prize for best student pianist when he raduated.  Like other great composers, Prokofiev mastered a wide range of musical genres, including symphonies, concerti, film music, operas, ballets, and program pieces.  At the time, his works were considered both ultra-modern and innovative. He traveled widely, spending many years in Paris and Ettal in the Bavarian Alps, and toured the United States five times.  Prokofiev gained wide notoriety and his music was both reviled and triumphed by the musical press of the time. He returned to his homeland permanently in1936 and died on March 5, 1953 in Moscow.

ARTISTIC STAFF

Choreographer Michael Pink 
Director John Maclay 
Music Director Carter Simmons
Production Manager Bradley Bingheim
Scenic Designer Rick Graham 
Costume Designer Pam Rehberg
Lighting Designer Jason Fassl

PERFORMANCE DATES

Peter and the Wolf opens Friday, September 5 at 7 p.m. in Youth Arts Hall in the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center.  The following family performances include: Saturday, September 6 at 3 p.m.; Sunday, September 7 at 3 p.m.; Saturday, September 13 at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, September 14 at 3 p.m.

TICKET INFORMATION

Ticket prices for Peter and the Wolf are $10 for adults and $5 for young people under 12.  Tickets can be purchased by calling the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center at (414) 267-2900 Monday – Friday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.