Two artists from the National Ballet of China will be featured in the latest Richmond Ballet production, “Don Quixote.”
Wang Ye and Ma Xiaodong, dubbed as Chinese cultural ambassadors by their fellow "Don Quixote" artists, will portray the roles of Kitri and Basilio, respectively. The said lead characters are young lovers whose story blossomed in sunny Spain. In the play, Kitri's father does not allow Basilio to take her daughter's hands.
This theatrical production marks the start of a cultural exchange program between the prime performing arts institutions in the United States and in China.
"Don Quixote" will run this weekend at the Carpenter Theatre at Richmond CenterStage. The production is set to perform in four key cities in China in May.
"Everything is very classical," Wang Ye commented on their performances on the show. "Rehearsals here are full of emotion, and the dancers are very expressive with their character roles," Wang added.
Cody Beaton, a fellow performer, said that the Chinese duo was comfortable to work with. "I have really loved working with them," she shared.
Costume director Emily DeAngelis thought of the Chinese artists' presence as an exciting addition to the show.
"I think . . . one of the really cool things about this production . . . is that we do have the two cultural ambassadors from China coming over to dance these amazing leading roles," she said. "I think it's going to be an awesome kick-off," she added.
"Don Quixote," a theatrical play based on a Miguel de Cervantes novel, was first danced in Vienna, Austria, in the mid-18th century.