Plano Metropolitan Ballet Presents Jungle Book

Plano Metropolitan Ballet, funded in part by the city of Plano, will enchant audiences of all ages with an original production, Jungle Book.  The story opens as animals dance in the jungle. Suddenly, Baghera, the panther, finds a basket containing a human baby.  Careful to hide this treasure from the man-eating tiger, Shere Khan, and his vulture, Oola, Baghera hands the baby over to Akeela to be raised by the wolves.  Mowgli grows up with the wolves, including Akeela, the pack leader, and Racksha, the den mother.  However, Shere Khan eventually discovers Mowgli, prompting Baghera to usher the child to a village to be among other humans.  There Mowgli discovers fire, called the Red Flower.  Countess Loui of the monkeys also is enamored with the Red Flower, feeling it will make her the most powerful animal in the jungle. Later, Mowgli separates from Baghera and encounters the snake, Kaa, who cannot determine whether Mowgli is a friend—or food.  Fortunately, the jovial bear, Baloo, dashes to the rescue.  Along the way, Mowgli also becomes acquainted with Queen Effie and the majestic elephants.  Over time, Mowgli has various encounters with Countess Loui, who still desires the Red Flower, and she saves Baloo from a hive of buzzing honey bees.  But always lurking are Shere Khan and Oola, who finally find Mowgli.  Aided by a jungle-full of loyal animals who wish to protect her, Mowgli escapes from Shere Khan once and for all and realizes that the jungle is truly her home.   Some principal cast members include: Stephanie Yamauchi (Mowgli), Kailey Williams (Oola/Red Flower) Hannah Beaudreau (Baghera), Phoebe Salas (Baloo), Scarlett Walls (Kaa), Adeline Howell (Racksha), Jenny Zhu (Queen Effie), Amanda LaPorte (Countess Loui), and professional dancers, Ruben Gerding (Shere Khan), and Tagir Galimov (Akeela). Plano Metropolitan Ballet is under the Artistic Direction of Cindi Lawrence Hanson. Performances begin on January 6 with a community outreach event at 7 p.m.  General audience performances are January 7 at 7 p.m., January 14 at 3 p.m., and January 21 at 3 and 7 p.m. Plano Met will also be performing Jungle Book for the Girl Scouts on January 7 at 3 p.m., January 13 at 7 p.m., January 14 at 7 p.m., and January 20 at 7 p.m. All performances are at the Courtyard Theater, 1509 Avenue H, Plano.  Tickets are $16 and are currently on sale.  Buy your tickets early; this event is always a sell out!!!  Tickets are available in person at Gotta Dance (3131 Custer Road in Plano) or online at www.planometballet.org 

Plano Metropolitan Ballet, funded in part by the city of Plano, is currently presenting the original fairy tale ballet, "The Frozen Kingdom."  The ballet is a story of two sisters who face great adversity, but ultimately discover that a sister's love is the truest of all.  The performances will take place at The Courtyard Theater, 1509 Avenue H in downtown Plano.  Upcoming performances are Friday, January 8 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, January 9 at 3 and 7 p.m.; Friday, January 15 at 7 p.m.; and Saturday, January 16 at 3 and 7 p.m.  Tickets may be purchased online at planometballet.org, at the box office before performances (subject to availability, as some shows will sell out), and in person at Gotta Dance at 3131 Custer Road in Plano.  

This is an event that is perfect for families with aspiring princesses and ballerinas!

Plano Metropolitan Ballet will enchant audiences of all ages with an original production, The Frozen Kingdom.  The story opens in a snowy village where we will meet a king, queen, and their two daughters, Elza and Anya, while villagers are milling about amongst fishermen, ice chippers, and Kristofen with his trusty reindeer sidekick.   Anya later begs Elza to create a frozen wonderland with her mystical powers.  The two sisters play in the ice and snow and build a snowman, which comes to life and becomes their friend.  Suddenly, Elza’s powers go awry, and her beloved sister lies injured.  Elza rushes to her parents for assistance, finally traveling to meet Her Highness Helga and the trolls, who heal Anya, but warn Elza that she must learn to harness and control her powers.  Tragically, the sisters’ parents are lost in an accident, leaving Anya and Elza living in the same house, but isolated from one another.  Eventually, Elza is honored at a magnificent coronation, where Anya is introduced to a charming suitor, Hansel.  It is love at first sight for these two, but Elza is infuriated when they announce they plan to marry.  Elza unintentionally unleashes the snowstorm of snowstorms on her now Frozen Kingdom.  As Act II opens, the playful snowman, brought back to life during the snowstorm, dreams of a day at the beach.  Meanwhile, a frantic Anya has disembarked in search of Elza, happening upon Matilda’s Trading Post and meeting a surly Kristofen, who grudgingly agrees to help Anya search for her sister who is finally acknowledging her powers and happy to feel free at last.  As Anya finds Elza, an argument ensues, and Elza once again injures her younger sister.  Helga and the trolls warn that only true love can save Anya now.  Kristofen and his reindeer rush Anya back to the Frozen Kingdom and Hansel, only to find that his love is not true—but that the love of a sister is eternal. 

Some principal cast members include: Chloe Murphy (Elza), Karista Baldwin (Anya), Julia Duggan (Snowman), Isabella Cordero (Reindeer), Elaine Chen (Queen), Ruben Gerding (Kristofen), and Tagir Galimov (Hansel). Plano Metropolitan Ballet is under the Artistic Direction of Cindi Lawrence Hanson. Performances begin on January 2 with a community outreach event at 3 p.m.  General audience performances are January 9 at 7 p.m and January 16 at 3 and 7 p.m. Plano Met will also be performing The Frozen Kingdom for the Girl Scouts on January 2 at 7 p.m., January 8 at 7 p.m., January 9 at 3 p.m., and January 15 at 7 p.m. All performances are at the Courtyard Theater, 1509 Avenue H, Plano.  Tickets are $16 and go on sale November 1.  Buy your tickets early; this event is always a sell out!!!

Plano Metropolitan Ballet Presents Beauty and the Beast

Plano Metropolitan Ballet will enchant audiences of all ages with an original rendition of Beauty and the Beast.  The story begins with lovely Belle strolling through her bustling village while her neighbors shop and go about the business of their day.  The handsome, charming, and egotistical Gaston and his loyal band of followers also spot Belle.  Gaston is struck by Belle’s beauty.  Meanwhile, a mystical enchantress and her sprites have cast a spell on the castle of a wayward prince, rendering him a hermit destined to live as a ghastly beast, while his household staff is doomed along with their sad and lonely master.  Belle is not interested in Gaston and prefers the company of her zany, yet ingenious mother and her group of lab assistants.  Eventually, Belle’s mother goes missing after an attack by a pack of angry wolves and winds up trapped in the castle of the horrid beast.  Belle trades places with her mom, which begins her adventure with the arrogant Beast, who eventually realizes the error of his ways.    

Belle will be played by Kaylie Seitz of Wylie, and the Beast will be professional dancer Ruben Gerding.  Other principal cast members are:  Janelle Irby of Allen (Belle’s mother), Esther Tang of Plano (Enchantress), Julia Duggan of Plano (Lumiere), Isabella Cordero of Plano (Cogsworth), Chloe Murphy of Allen (Mrs. Potts), Karista Baldwin of Plano (Chip), and Anthony King-Davis of Plano (Gaston).

The rest of the cast of Beauty and the Beast is composed of the members of Plano Metropolitan Ballet, which is a ballet company featuring student dancers ages 10 – 18.

Plano Metropolitan Ballet is under the Artistic Direction of Cindi Lawrence Hanson. Performances begin on January 3 with a community outreach event at 3 p.m.  Remaining general audience performances January 17 at 3 and 7 p.m. Plano Met will also be performing Beauty and the Beast for the Girl Scouts on January 16 at 7 p.m.

All performances are at the Courtyard Theater, 1509 Avenue H, Plano.  Tickets are $16 and are currently on sale at planometballet.org or at Gotta Dance, 3131 Custer Road in Plano.