Winthrop’s Kayla Petrucelli Performs in Boston Ballet’s Production of ‘Cinderella’

Kayla Rose Petruccelli, of Winthrop, is performing in Boston Ballet’s production of Sir Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella in the role of a Season Page. Petruccelli has been a student at Boston Ballet School for six years. Cinderella runs May 10–June 8 at the Citizens Bank Opera House.

Kayla is a dedicated third grade student at a local Elementary School. When Kayla is not dancing she enjoys other activities including a martial arts program where she currently is a green belt, she is a background actress in an upcoming TV series and she loves spend time with her family and friends. Although she wears many hats, ballet remains her passion and is very excited and honored to be a part of this special production.

Presented in three acts, Cinderella tells the iconic story of a young woman overcoming hardship to find her courage and love’s destiny. The production is “…chock full of inventive choreography, atmospheric sets, opulent costumes, and fabulous dancing…” (Karen Campbell, The Boston Globe) and returns after a successful Company premiere in 2014. The lavish sets and costumes are designed by Emmy Award-winning designer David Walker.

Ashton’s version of this fairytale features a fairy godmother as well as four season fairies, introduced in Act I to prepare Cinderella for the ball. Each fairy showcases a style unique to the season as she presents a gift to Cinderella.

In Act II, Cinderella arrives at the ball at the top of the grand staircase where she must descend on pointe. The large buildup before an entrance is typical of Ashton’s choreography, and demonstrates Marius Petipa’s influence on his style.

Cinderella premiered on December 23, 1948 with Sadler’s Wells Ballet, later to become The Royal Ballet. Ashton originally staged the role of Cinderella for famed ballerina Margot Fonteyn, but the role was debuted by Moira Shearer because Fonteyn was injured. The roles of the stepsisters are comedic characters performed by men. Ashton himself famously danced this role with The Royal Ballet.

All children performing in Cinderella are students of Boston Ballet School and coached by an experienced staff including Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen, Boston Ballet School Director Margaret Tracey, Children’s Ballet Master Miranda Weese, and Boston Ballet School’s world-renowned faculty. Students rehearse with Company dancers and have costume fittings with Boston Ballet’s Costume Shop. They will experience the unique, backstage atmosphere at the Citizens Bank Opera House through technical and dress rehearsals, as well as performances accompanied by Boston Ballet Orchestra conducted by newly-appointed Music Director Mischa Santora.

Participating in a full-length ballet is an important performance opportunity for students, exposing them to aspects of ballet they do not experience in a regular class. The students learn about the hard work and enjoyment that composes a live ballet performance and have the unique opportunity to dance alongside Boston Ballet’s 65 internationally-acclaimed professional dancers from around the world.

For a full synopsis and additional details, visit https://www.bostonballet.org

All performances of Cinderella take place at the Citizens Bank Opera House (539 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111):

Show schedule:

Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 26 at 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 11 at 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 1 at 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 12 at 1:30 p.m.*

Sunday, June 2 at 1:30 p.m.

Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 6 at 7:30 pm

Saturday, May 18 at 1:30 p.m.

Friday, June 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 8 at 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 23 at 7:30 p.m.

*Indicates post-show talk

Tickets start at $37. For more information, visit bostonballet.org or call 617.695.6955. Cinderella is approximately two hours and 31 minutes with two intermissions.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.