Michael Pink on his new Cinderella ballet

Years ago, when I interviewed Michael Pink about his new Nutcracker choreography, he jumped out of his chair and did the whole story. I thought then: Who needs the Milwaukee Ballet? Just put Michael in a chair on stage and let him do it alone.

He stayed seated when I asked him to tell me about his new Cinderella, which the company will premiere Thursday. But that man knows how to tell a story. Enjoy the video.

Casting

Thursday and Saturday

Cinderella: Tatiana Jouravel
The Prince: Ryan Martin
Cinderella’s Father: Denis Malinkine
Cinderella’s Mother: Karisa Stich (guest artist)
Stepmother: Raven Wales
Stepsister 1: Marc Petrocci
Stepsister 2: Darren Christian McIntyre
Jack (Cinderella’s Guardian Angel): Michael Linsmeier

Cinderella: Luz San Miguel
The Prince: Randy Herrera (guest artist courtesy of Houston Ballet)
Cinderella’s Father: Denis Malinkine
Cinderella’s Mother: Karisa Stich (guest artist)
Stepmother: Rachel Malehorn
Stepsister 1: Patrick Howell
Stepsister 2: Ryan Martin
Jack (Cinderella’s Guardian Angel): Matthew Frain

Who:  Milwaukee Ballet Company

What:  Michael Pink’s Cinderella, to music by Prokofiev

Where: Marcus Center Uihlein Hall, 929 N. Water St.

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 22-25)

Tickets: $23-$86; call the Milwaukee Ballet, 414 902-2103, or the Marcus Center box office, 414 273-7206. NOTE: Sunday is SOLD OUT.