The 2020 Live Cinema Series will continue with a screening of The Royal Ballet’s current production of
The Sleeping Beauty on Wednesday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m. This production was filmed live at The Royal Opera House in London and is rebroadcast to select theatres.
The Sleeping Beauty has been delighting audiences in Covent Garden since 1946. A classic of Russian ballet, set in an enchanted world of princesses, fairy godmothers and magical spells, it established The Royal Ballet both in its new home after World War II and as a world-class company. Sixty years later, in 2006, the original staging was revived, returning Oliver Messel’s designs and glittering costumes to the stage. Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score and Marius Petipa’s original choreography are combined with sections created for The Royal Ballet by Frederick Ashton, Anthony Dowell and Christopher Wheeldon.
The Sleeping Beauty is based on the fairy tale of the same name. The wicked fairy Carabosse is furious when she isn’t invited to the christening of Princess Aurora (Lauren Cuthbertson) and to get retribution, Carabosse pronounces a curse: when Aurora grows up she will prick her finger on a spindle and die. The Lilac Fairy alters the curse, so that rather than dying Aurora will fall into a deep sleep from which she can be awakened by a prince. On Aurora’s 16th birthday, she does indeed prick her finger, and along with the entire court falls into an enchanted sleep. The Lilac Fairy leads Prince Florimund (Federico Bonelli) to awaken Aurora with a kiss. Aurora and the court regain consciousness, and celebrate the marriage of Princess Aurora and Prince Florimund.
Filmed during a live event, the Live Cinema Series broadcasts offer audiences an equivalent to the best seat in the house, with incredibly detailed close-ups of the performers. The series is sponsored in part by Shakespeare Walla Walla.
This screening has an approximate runtime of 3 hours, including two intermissions. Beer, wine, popcorn, and snacks will be available for purchase, and may be taken into the theater.
Reserved seating tickets ($15 Adults, $10 Students) are available online at www.phtww.org or by calling the box office at 509-529-6500. For group ticket sales, please call 509-876-1662.
The 2020 Live Cinema Series is supported by Shakespeare Walla Walla, a local 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that aims to make Shakespeare and theater approachable and entertaining to students in eastern Washington and Oregon.
The 2020 Gesa Power House Theatre Season is sponsored by:
Courtyard Marriott, KAPP-KVEW TV, Inland Cellular
McCurley Integrity Toyota of Walla Walla, Northwest Public Broadcasting, Pacific Power
Additional support provided by:
Walla Walla County, Port of Walla Walla, City of Walla Walla
Each Coldwell Banker Office is Independently Owned and Operated
About the Gesa Power House Theatre
The historic Gesa Power House Theatre is a 300-seat performing arts venue, located in downtown Walla Walla. The 120-year-old building was once the Walla Walla Gas Plant, built to produce coal gas used to light the streets, businesses, and homes of Walla Walla. In 2011 the Gesa Power House Theatre building was transformed into a state-of-the-art playhouse for live performance. The interior design of the theatre was inspired by Shakespeare’s own intimate Blackfriars Theatre in London, England.
The Gesa Power House Theatre is on the Washington State Building Preservation Commission list of State historic buildings and on the National Register of Historic Places. The venue also hosts a variety of other cultural events, musical concerts, and private events (including weddings).
For additional marketing and media information, including interviews and hi-res images, contact:
Bradley Nelson
Media Contact
Phone: 509.529-6500
webmaster@phtww.org
Gesa Power House Theatre
111 North Sixth Ave.
Walla Walla, Washington 99362
