Top Stories Montgomery

By Melanie Trypupenko
Correspondent

Looking for an entertaining event for both children and adults? Take the family to the Metropolitan Ballet Company’s Family Concert Series. This year the company will be premiering two storybook classics, “Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly” and “Hansel and Gretel.”

“Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly,” is based on the best-selling children’s book by Jane O’Connor. The Fancy Nancy series has become increasingly popular, staying on The New York Times bestsellers list for 99 weeks.

The story begins when Fancy is upset that she has to go to her grandparents’ 50th anniversary party rather than to her best friend Bree’s butterfly birthday bash. She becomes furious.

Somehow, everything always works out and Fancy finds herself whisked away to magical places. After attending her grandparents’ anniversary, Fancy’s parents take her to the Butterfly Garden at the zoo. She can’t wait to tell her best friend Bree.

The book, and ballet adaptation, teaches a valuable lesson to children; disappointments happen and we must move on. The pages are filled with fancy words and fancy illustrations. In fact Robin Preiss Glasser, illustrator of the Fancy Nancy series, will be available for book signings at the Sunday, Nov. 22 show.

Glasser was a soloist with the Pennsylvania Ballet for 11 years before returning to school to receive her BFA from Parsons the New School for Design.

Lisa Collins Vidnovic, Metropolitan Ballet Academy’s artistic director, says, “‘Fancy Nancy’ is absolutely charming and all the more special to me because my friend Robin is the illustrator and my friend Mary the choreographer.”

“Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly” is choreographed by Mary LeGere, who was also a soloist at the Pennsylvania Ballet. She is now the co-director of The Raleigh School of Ballet.

The second production is MBC’s world premiere of the well-known fairy-tale “Hansel and Gretel.” “Hansel and Gretel” is choreographed by Kanji Segawa, who has studied ballet with Kan Horiuchi and Jyu Horiuchi at Unique Ballet Theatre in Tokyo. This is Segawa’s fifth original work specifically choreographed for MBC.

The costumes and scenery in “Hansel and Gretel” are both whimsical and creative, thanks to Elena Comendador, costume designer, and Adam Riggar, scenic designer. The gingerbread house comes to life and the stage is filled with the company’s talented young dancers taking on the roles of dancing candy. The forest is filled with enchanting birds and the witch is tended to by four funny servants.

When asked about MBC’s new productions, Collins said, “I am excited! The program will run just over an hour, including intermission, making it the perfect length for families and children.”

“Fancy Nancy: Bonjour, Butterfly” and “Hansel and Gretel” promise to be performances with a little something for everyone. Bring the whole family, sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

Performances will be held at the Josephine Muller Auditorium at Abington Friends School, Saturday, Nov. 21, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 22, at 3 p.m.

Metropolitan Ballet Academy’s

“Family Concert Series”

will run

at Josephine Muller Auditorium

Abington Friends School,

575 Washington Lane,

Jenkintown PA, 19046,

Saturday, Nov. 21,

11 a.m. & 3 p.m.,

& Sunday, Nov. 22, 3 p.m.

Tickets: $12 in advance

or $15 at door.

Info: 215-663-1665,

lcv@snip.net or

www.metropolitanballetacademy.com.