Danceworks Performance MKE & Milwaukee Opera Theatre Present: RUSALKA

Milwaukee, WI – January 14, 2025 – Danceworks Performance MKE (DPMKE) and Milwaukee Opera Theatre (MOT) are delighted to once again take the stage together with a thrilling adaptation of Antonín Dvořák’s Rusalka. This captivating production brings the timeless tale of a water nymph who embarks on a magical quest for love to life with a unique blend of opera, dance, and folklore.

Featuring singing sprites, dancing goblins, and the enigmatic Jason Powell as The Moon, this rendition of Rusalka draws from Slavic mythology while presenting a modern restructuring of the story. With music by Dvořák, the beloved opera’s classic arias are paired with contemporary storytelling, sung in Czech, spoken in English, and brought to life through expressive dance.

This marks the eighth collaboration between Danceworks Performance MKE and Milwaukee Opera Theatre, introducing new choreography and dancers alongside the talented singers from the 2023 Rusalka premiere.

“This production’s new movement vocabulary richly deepens the essence of the original adaptation, weaving daring partnerships and fresh, unique textures of embodied emotion into the tapestry of an almost entirely new cast of dancers,” said Christal Wagner, Co-Artistic Director of DPMKE.

Jill Anna Ponasik, Artistic Director of MOT added, “We treasure every opportunity to collaborate with Danceworks and are particularly excited to revisit RUSALKA in February, allowing what we made two years ago to grow and change along with us.”

Critics are also praising the unique fusion of music and movement that defines Rusalka. “Oh the whimsy! The humor! This is the MOT + Danceworks sweet spot. These two companies always bring out the best in each other and Rusalka is no exception…an enchanting spectacle for eye and ear,” Kelsey Lawler, from Broadway World notes.

Russ Bickerstaff from The Small Stage added, “It’s playful. It’s witty. It’s sad. It’s tragic. It’s romance and indifference and dance and song. And it’s like…80 minutes in a cozy, little theatre.” and “a graceful and deeply satisfying fusion of music and dance.”

Don’t miss your chance to experience this magical and visually stunning reimagining of Rusalka—a captivating blend of opera, dance, and Slavic folklore. Get your tickets today and be part of this unforgettable performance!

Performance Dates:

● Friday, Feb 14 – 7:30 PM
● Saturday, Feb 15 – 4:30 PM
● Sunday, Feb 16 – 2:30 PM & 6:00 PM
● Friday, Feb 21 – 7:30 PM
● Saturday, Feb 22 – 4:30 PM
● Sunday, Feb 23 – 2:30 PM & 6:00 PM

Location:
Danceworks Studio Theatre
1661 N Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Ticket Prices:

● $38 Premiere Seating
● $30 Adult
● $24 Student / Senior (62+) / Artist / Military

Tickets available online at:
https://danceworksmke.org/concerts/

Or by calling the Danceworks Box Office at (414) 277-8480

Creative Team:

● Choreography: Christal Wagner
● Stage Direction: Jill Anna Ponasik
● Music Direction: Ruben Piirainen
● Set & Lighting Design: Colin Gawronski
● Harp: Erin Brooker-Miller

Cast:

● Rusalka: Saira Frank
● Vodník: David Guzmán
● Prince: Tim Rebers
● Ježibaba: Colleen Brooks
● Nymph #1: Tabetha Steege
● Nymph #2: Erin Sura
● Nymph #3: Brennan Martinez
● The Moon: Jason Powell

Dancers:

● Elisabeth Roskopf
● Greta Jenkins
● Jessica Lueck
● Cuauhtli Ramírez Castro
● Zoe Glise
● Ashley Ray Garcia

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.