Photo by RAPT Productions
It's not easy to make your mark in the difficult world of classical dance when just across the Golden Gate Bridge there is the big, famous, San Francisco Ballet, vacuuming — as it were — talent, funds, and audiences from the outlands. But Marin Ballet, at 50, can sing (and perchance dance) "I'm Still Here!" from Follies.
Founded by Leona Norman and now under the artistic leadership of Cynthia Lucas, the company will celebrate the important anniversary with completion of a renovation project, a reunion performance, and a new Nutcracker by Julia Adam, whose Night and numerous other works have made a big impression on audiences in many cities.
Marin Ballet launched many careers, including those of San Francisco Ballet's Joanna Berman, Alexandra McCullagh, and Shane Wuerthner; Boston Ballet's John Lam; Smuin Ballet's Olivia Ramsay and Robin Cornwell; Zurich Ballet's Thomas Kendall; Robert Moses' Kin's Josie Garthwaite Sadan; and choreographer Edwaard Liang.
Last week, the $1.3 million renovation of the company's San Rafael facility was completed, as plans are made for a theater to be added in the future.
Adam's Nutcracker will be performed Dec. 8-9, in the Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium. Joining more than 200 Marin Ballet dancers, ages 8-18, will be such guest artists as Memphis Ballet's Travis Bradley and Diablo Ballet's Robert Dekkers.
Marin Ballet's 50th Anniversary Reunion Performance is scheduled at the College of Marin, on April 13, with works from the company archives, including ballets by Ronn Guidi and Julia Adam, as well as new works by Robert Dekkers, Casey Thorne, and Yury Yanowsky.