At times romantic and gentle, at others
racy and erotic, Love Lies Bleeding,
an abstract, poetic ballet choreographed by Alberta Ballet’s own Artistic Director
Jean Grand-Maitre, is back on the stage May 2nd to 5th at the Southern Jubilee
Auditorium in Calgary and May 10th to 12th at the Jubilee in Edmonton.
The $1.6 million contemporary extravaganza,
inspired by the music of Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, proves fun for all
ages. Wednesday’s dress rehearsal marked my six-month old son’s first ballet.
But he wasn’t the youngest audience member in attendance. One of the crew
brought their little tyke at the wee age of 3.5 weeks.
Admittedly the infants did not stay awake
through the whole performance but that was not for any lack of energy or pizazz
in the show. The 440 accessories, 60 custom designed wigs, and 150 elaborate costumes
worn on set, designed by Martine Bertrand, feature glittery groins and angel
wings, a nun on roller skates, shimmering cowgirls and six inch stilettos.
Mark Wax, a classically trained ballet dancer,
has been dancing in those towering shoes since the production’s tour to
Vancouver and Toronto.
"In Believe I play the Lead
Drag Queen (I have unofficially dubbed her ‘Isabella Issaphella’) who uses life
experience, drama, intimidation, glamour, and some wicked high kicks to teach
the Elton John fan how to love himself and love others," he says. "It's
definitely not the most conventional lesson plan."
Wax dances in a staggering seven songs
amounting to five quick costume changes through the roughly two-hour show. A
great deal of self preparation goes into his character changes.
"Before I go on the stage as the Drag Queen, I try to clear my mind and
put myself into the life situation of the character," he says. "I then see the
events onstage through her eyes and react spontaneously while still staying
within the framework of the choreography."
"I have to be present
in every moment if I want accurately represent the character."
Wax began his dance
training in Montana at the age of 12 before continuing on to the Pacific
Northwest Ballet School of Seattle and later the School of American Ballet in
New York City. Before arriving to Alberta Ballet, through auditions held in NYC,
he was dancing with the Boston Ballet.
Wax has since lived in Calgary the last two
years and has danced every production Alberta Ballet has put on in that time.
His particular favourites have been Vigil
of Angels, Serenade and Cinderella.
The most rewarding aspect of dancing this
show, in which he shares the stage with prominent company dancers Yukichi
Hattori and Kelley McKinlay, Wax states is the audience reaction.
"The feedback is overwhelmingly positive!" he says.
Through 14 well loved
songs Love Lies Bleeding takes the
audience on a ‘journey through a series of theatrically dynamic tableaux, into
the wild, dangerous and powerful world of pop music.’
The show highlights
some of the most well known events, occurring both in the world and in his own
turbulent personal life, which inspired Sir Elton John’s powerful lyrics and
captivating melodies.
Thus it is fitting
that this run will work toward raising funds for youth facing their own
turbulent struggles. Alberta Ballet has collaborated with Sir Elton John and
Canada’s Youth Diversity Initiative Jer’s Vision to raise funds for a well
deserved cause.
Team members of Jer’s
Vision, Calgary Pride and AltView will be present at each performance selling
commemorative Love Lies Bleeding buttons.
The proceeds will help make possible the first youth run Alberta conference
held in aim of eliminating bullying, discrimination, homophobia and
transphobia.
"I met Elton in Red
Deer five days ago and he was so pleased that we would also be raising funds
for Jer’s Vision," Grand-Maitre said on the collaboration. "Elton John did not
want the ballet Love Lies Bleeding to be about his triumphs and his
enormous success; he preferred that this ballet educate people on the
destructive nature of sexual repression and how it lead him to addiction and to
numerous suicide attempts."
Jer’s Vision was
created by Jeremy Dias, a man who, as a teenager faced with extreme
discrimination after coming out in high school, pursued a legal case against
both his school and the board. At the age of 21 Dias won his suit – marking the
country’s second largest human rights settlement to be issued.
In line with the
ultimate goal of Love Lies Bleeding,
Jer’s Vision is dedicated to increasing awareness on impacting issues facing
many LGBTQ youth still today. Jer’s Vision is currently looking for 500 donors
to donate as little as $5. Every dollar raised will support programming for one
youth. For more information visit jersvision.org.
If interested in
purchasing a button when you attend Love
Lies Bleeding, you can get your tickets by calling 403.245.4549 in Calgary
or 780.428.6839 in Edmonton.
"This ballet is a celebration of the
extraordinary courage of all young people who assume their differences and who
believe in diversity," says Grand-Maitre.