As the opener to their 2023-2024 season, Kansas City Ballet performs Jekyll & Hyde, a creation by Val Caniparoli accompanied by the Kansas City Symphony.
The ballet was originally created for an performed in 2020 by the Finnish National Ballet.
“I’m so excited that Kansas City Ballet will present the North American Premiere of Jekyll & Hyde. Bringing this ballet home to where it all began in workshops before the pandemic and after its premiere with Finnish National Ballet, has been a dream.
To continue with my relationship with this world class establishment and these amazing artists in the studio has been a blast and I can’t wait for you to see them bring the world of Jekyll & Hyde to life onstage.” – Val Caniparoli
Caniparoli’s newest work delves deep into the timeless battle of good versus evil, all encapsulated within the psyche of a single man. This ballet weaves a narrative that exists within the realm of a feverish hallucination, a product of the imagination of none other than Robert Louis Stevenson himself, the literary mastermind behind the novella, Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Inspired by the 1886 tale, the ballet is a haunting exploration of the darkest recesses of human nature, vividly capturing on the stage the transformation of Dr. Jekyll into the nefarious Mr. Hyde.
Kansas City Ballet Performs Jekyll & Hyde
Ramona Pansegrau is Kansas City Ballet’s Music Director and Jekyll & Hyde‘s musical editor.
“The music of Jekyll and Hyde is built around Polish composers. Penderecki’s 3rd symphony is a major component, with music by Gorecki used for smaller linking sections. The psychological aspect of both Hyde and Jekyll’s minds are explored with the change of instrumentation in the works.
The addition of music by Wieniawski and Kilar portray the more intimate, normal aspects of Jekyll’s life, whereas the complex and fantastical music of Penderecki and Gorecki portray the cacophony and delusions buried in
Hyde’s twisted mind. Three centuries of Polish music capture the nature of both men.”
Carney comments, “The fact that the production has in its DNA the choreography work done with our dancers but also the incredible work from Ramona on the score. She and Val collaborated on the music choices for years. What she has done is an incredible arrangement of music. It’s exactly what it should be.
This is a significant moment in her career. As an artistic director and as an organization, I’m really happy that this is happening for her, here.”
- Fri., Oct. 13 7:30 p.m.
- Sat., Oct. 14 7:30 p.m.
- Sun., Oct. 15 1:30 p.m.
- Thurs., Oct. 19 7:30 p.m.
- Fri., Oct. 20 7:30 p.m.
- Sat., Oct. 21 1:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
- Sun., Oct. 22 1:30 p.m.
The performances of Jekyll & Hyde are complemented by a series of events including Dance Speaks, featuring rehearsal viewing and a chat with Ana Val Caniparoli, Maiqui Manosa, and Ramona Pansegrau.
There will also be a Facebook LIVE chat with three Kansas City Ballet dancers as they discuss their process in preparing for Jekyll & Hyde.
Featured Photo for Kansas City Ballet Performs Jekyll & Hyde of Dancer Cameron Thomas. Photography by Kenny Johnson.
