A challenging quality of this production is that no score was written specifically for A Christmas Carol, as there was for Nutcracker or Sleeping Beauty or Swan Lake. “When the ballet was conceived in 1995,” says artistic director Scarlett Fiero, “our choreographer, Sara Miot, spent many hours searching for the right music. She chose music composed by Vaughan Williams for the greatest part of the show, with highlights by the Chieftains (in the Fezziwig Party scene), accented with traditional Christmas music that’s heard at the beginning and end of the show.”
The arrangement is such that audience members get the feeling that the music was, in fact, composed for the ballet. With the familiar voice of the late Peter Hall – the UBC’s first Scrooge – narrating the story, A Christmas Carol is expertly rendered. The spectacular lighting and special effects, colorful costumes and stunning set design all make for a classic production that captures the rapt attention of audiences of all ages.
The Ulster Ballet Company has brought area residents innovative and creative dance entertainment since 1977. A Christmas Carol will be performed on Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday, December 5 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for Bardavon members and $10 for children 12 and under. Reduced rates are available for groups of ten or more. Purchase your tickets at the UPAC box office at 601 Broadway in Kingston, (845) 339-6088; the Bardavon box office at 35 Market Street in Poughkeepsie, (845) 473-2072; or via TicketMaster at www.ticketmaster.com or (800) 745-3000.
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