"Firebird" Takes the Stage on Saturday in Huntington

I usually don't mention dance recitals in this space because: 1) I know nothing about dance; and 2) there are so many dance studios around I'd be hard put to track 'em all down.

But I make an exception here because my wife attended the show by Ella Hay last year and said it was amazing, and because one of the lead dancers is Sarah Hayes, who's starred in dozens of community theatre shows (including several of mine), and she's off to college this fall, so this is one more chance for me to brag about her. (That's her in the photo with Cody Verbage.)

Here's the announcement about Saturday's show:

ART CENTER SCHOOL OF DANCE CELEBRATES 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIREBIRD WITH PERFORMANCE

Mrs. Ella Hay and The Art Center School of Dance present their 2010 Spring Recital, featuring the ballet Firebird this Saturday, May 29, at 8 p.m. at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards Performing Arts Center.

This year is the 100th anniversary of the first production of Firebird, which features music by Igor Stravinsky and classical choreography by Michel Fokine. The ballet’s story is based upon Russian folk tales of a magical glowing bird of the same name that is both a blessing and a curse to its captors.

The Art Center School of Dance’s production features dancers Sarah Hayes as the Firebird, Cody Verbage as Prince Ivan, Katie Wright as the Princess, Michael Martin as Kostchei and is directed by Ella Hay. Mrs. Hay also adapted the Fokine choreography for students.

Prior to the performance of Firebird, The Art Center School of Dance will present Jack and the Beanstalk (a children’s ballet) and “Divertissements”, featuring Mrs. Hay’s students performing a variety of ballet and tap numbers.

Tickets are $14, and are available by calling the Arts Center School of Dance at 304-429-6606, or at the door. The box office opens at 6:30 p.m. the night of the show.