‘Swashbuckling Ballet’
Farragut’s McKee duo star, write, direct
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- Photos Submitted
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KNOXVILLE — GO! Contemporary Dance Works sets sail in its 20th season with “The Barbarosa: A Swashbuckling Ballet,” in Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay St. in downtown Knoxville, Saturday and Sunday, Feb 24-25.
Micah McKee, Farragut resident and recent George Mason School of Dance graduate, will dance the role of Anne Bonny.
“Micah is perfect as Anne. She can present her with youthful, devious playfulness in act one and then switch to Anne 10 years later in act two as a commanding pirate who is always ready for a good brawl,” stated ballet author Lisa Hall McKee, who also is director. This contemporary ballet includes aerial artistry, sword fighting and world- class choreography to tell the tale of legendary pirate.
“This large scale, two-act inventive ballet takes a historical figure in a fictional direction and features 50 dancers including professionals, pre-professionals and a youth cast,” the author further stated.
GO! will hold three performances, beginning at 2 and 7 p.m., Feb. 24, and starting at 2 p.m, Feb. 25.
Both dangerous and grandiose, this riveting two-act ballet follows Anne’s transformation from privileged plantation life in South Carolina to her pirate adventures on the open seas. Giving its audience an insightful look into her life, act one delves into Anne’s childhood on her father’s plantation in the Carolinas. Act two takes place on board The Barbarosa with clashing sword and knives, mermaids and sirens, and pirates swinging in the air on ropes and nets.
“Historians do not have many details about Anne. She shows up in history for only three years, yet she is one of the most notorious pirates known today,” Lisa Hall McKee stated in the release. “She was said to be a rebellious child with a fierce and courageous temper. We present her from that perspective and that her rage and disdain for traditional Victorian life drove her to piracy. As a pirate she was said to be robust, fearless and tenacious, fighting alongside men, gaining their respect.”
As part of their outreach, GO! will offer free Anne Bonny educational packets to young audience members at the performances. GO! also will hold a “Twelve on Twelve” ticket day, where students can purchase a Tier 2 ticket for $12 on Monday, Feb. 12.
Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit gocontemporarydance.com or call 865-539-2475.
