Texas Ballet Theater opens its season this weekend with Beauty and the Beast at Bass Performance Hall. The familiar tale was choreographed by Lew Christensen in 1958 for the San Francisco Ballet, where he was artistic director for many years. Christensen used excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s first three symphonies and first three orchestral suites for the original production. Richard McKay, conductor and artistic director of the Dallas Chamber Symphony, will conduct the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in the pit at Bass Hall.
The Pittsburgh Ballet bought the production last year and freshened it up, TBT rented the ballet for its first Texas production.
Opening night will feature Carolyn Judson as the Beauty, and Alexander Kotelenets as the Prince, who has been turned into a Beast and needs a certain love to bring him back. — Leonard Eureka
Beauty and the Beast runs Fri-Sun at Bass Performance Hall, 555 Commerce St, FW, Tickets $20-$120 Call 817 212 4280.
