Feature: Carmen at Ford video

In case you missed our performance of William Soleau's Carmen at the Ford Amphitheatre, LA36 filmed the performance, and has just released it online.

Review: Carmen at the Lobero Theatre 2

Enton Hoxha and Leila Drake in Carmen, courtesy Noozhawk

Noozhawk reviews Carmen:

State Street Ballet Dances a Hot 'Carmen'

Lobero Theatre, October 19, 2007

Reviewed by Margo Kline

Carmen, that enduring Gypsy seductress, danced to her doom once again on the stage of the Lobero Theatre, as State Street Ballet presented an updated and thrilling version by choreographer William Soleau.

Read more of the review.

Feature: Carmen at University of New Hampshire

A feature article on last week's tour to the University of New Hampshire with William Soleau's Carmen:

Celebrity Series brings professional ballet company to UNH

30 October, 2007

Taylor St. John

The lights in the house were dim, but the enthralled expression on almost every audience member's face was illuminated by the colorful array of stage lights, costumes and scenery. The sounds of dozens of pointe shoes tapping upon the stage floor became mixed up in the loud, vibrant music of George Bizet. A crowd of gypsies and soldiers floated among one another in a trance-like dance of seduction. A minute later, a gypsy girl leaped into the air and, held in place by her partner, remained hovering several feet above the stage, capturing the audience's gaze.

Read more of the feature.

Review: Carmen at the Lobero Theatre

Leila Drake and Ryan Camou in Carmen (photo: David Bazemore)

The Santa Barbara Independent reviews Carmen:

Carmen, presented by State Street Ballet

Lobero Theatre, October 19, 2007

Reviewed by Elizabeth Schwyzer

Met with favorable reviews at its Hollywood premiere last summer, SSB’s Carmen is by far the company’s most ambitious and most dazzling ballet yet, choreographed by New York’s William Soleau and set to the original Georges Bizet score.

Read more of the review.

Feature: Carmen v4

You may already know that State Street Ballet is opening its 2007-2008 season this weekend with the Santa Barbara premiere of William Soleau's full-length Carmen with performances on Friday, October 19, 8pm and Sunday, October 21, 2pm at the Lobero Theatre.

You may even have seen our first Carmen with Jennifer Batbouta dancing our Gypsy protagonist in the original one-act version. Or perhaps you've seen us on tour with Silvia Rotaru in the lead role. You may even have been lucky enough to catch a one-time performance in Los Angeles with Corina Gill dancing Carmen.

Carmen v1: Jennifer Batbouta

But you've definitely never seen our newest Carmen. Coming a long way from a part-time corps role in Giselle when she joined us in 2004, Leila Drake is not only dancing Carmen for the first time, but the eponymous Gypsy is Leila's first ever principal role with SSB.

Carmen v2: Silvia Rotaru

Every dancer brings something different to a role, revealing new aspects of the character and taking the story in different directions. Avid ballet fans will watch multiple casts of a production because different dancers illuminate the ballet and show us new things only they can reveal.

Carmen v3: Corina Gill (supported by Yuan-Ming Chang)

What will Leila show us this weekend? Come to the show and find out for yourself! Endowed with long, flowing lines, extensive ballet training alloyed with years of modern dance, and the brains to graduate from UC Santa Barbara with dual majors, this Carmen will be unlike any other, and cannot be missed.

Merde, Leila --- you will be amazing.

Feature: Carmen video trailer

Missed our recent Carmen performance at the Ford Amphitheatre? We'll be performing it again to open our 2007-2008 Santa Barbara season on October 19 and 21 at the Lobero Theatre. In the meantime, check out this trailer of the ballet:

Review: Carmen at the Ford Amphitheatre

Lewis Segal reviews Carmen for the Los Angeles Times:

'Carmen' moves in new directions

Ford Amphitheatre, August 17

Reviewed by Lewis Segal

[Carmen] offers roles that display and develop artistry and enough choreographic originality to interest dancers and audiences alike. Plus, of course, a classic story that gets deeper with every retelling.

Read more of the review.