Commentary
 THE LITTLE MERMAID
FULFILLING UNDER
THE SEA & ON LAND
By Nancy Condit
The world premiere of artistic director Robert Mills'  
The Little Mermaid was a charming ballet performed well by 
the Oklahoma City Ballet Friday night at the Civic Center 
Music Hall. Remaining performances are at 8 p.m. Saturday, 
and 2 p.m. Sunday, February 17 and 18. Tickets may be 
purchased online at https://www.okcballet.org/, and
at the Civic Center box office one hour before the performance.

The atmosphere of Act I was delightfully set under water
with projections designed by Michael Baumgarten, lighting
designed by Aaron Mooney, and sets and costumes courtesy
of the Charlotte Ballet. 

At the bottom of the sea, where the water was darkest blue,
sea creatures from transparent jelly fish with glowing tentacles
floating as puppets held high by on point ballet dancers to
children costumed as star fish moving sideways across the 
stage to mermaids held swimmers, Act I opened in another
world. 

As Ariel, DaYoung Jung swam, held by her black-clad swimmers,
at first moved awkwardly on land, and finished as a classical Russian 
bride in a lovely pas de deux with Alvin Tovstogray as Erik, the sailor 
she rescued from a shipwreck. Both Jung and Tovstogray were
a pleasure to watch.

Mills' choreography was particularly interesting as Jung moved in
water with her new legs, playing with the water as she was leaving
it for the land.

Mills' choreography was involving in the wedding scene, as the
bride and groom, friends, and all the guests danced 19th century
classic Russian style arrangements. Erik and his naval friends
also engaged a lively 19th century folk-military dance. 

His choice and arrangement of music, Zemlinsky's Der Seejungfrau, 
and Gliere's The Red Poppy, set the scenes while fitting and feeding the ballet.

This week Mills received the Governor's Arts Award for Community Service, 
including adding a Parkinson's Dance Class to OKC Ballet's offerings. He is
also celebrating 10  years as artistic director of the Oklahoma City Ballet.

"Aspects of this production were first conceived by Mr. Mills at the National
Choreographers Initiative in Irvine, California," from the program. 

Anyone can achieve their dreams. In the process, give thanks to those
that help you, and never forget those that tried to stand in your way, appeared
between the production information and the program information.

 
 

BART CONNER &
NADIA COMANECI'S
FREE SPORTS
EXPERIENCE
FEB. 17 IN COX 
CONVENTION CTR.

BART & NADIA SPORTS EXPERIENCE
FEBRUARY 17, 9AM - 3PM
COX CONVENTION CENTER, 1 MYRIAD GDNS

In an effort to improve the fitness and health of all Oklahomans, Conner and Comaneci are providing free fun for the whole family at their eighth annual Bart & Nadia Sports Experience. The event, which will include approximately 2,000 participating athletes in a variety of Olympic sports, will be held at the Cox Convention Center on Saturday February 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Bart & Nadia Sports Experience features a wide array of sports competitions, interactive sports and fitness activities and demonstrations, exciting children’s activities and sports clinics. The Sports Experience is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit bartandnadiasportsexperience.com.

THE LITTLE MERMAID
BY OKC BALLET TO BE 
PERFORMED, AND 
THE NEW ART OPENS 
AT OKCMOA THIS WEEKEND.
SEE PREVIOUS POSTS.

 Editorial
OKLAHOMA'S HOUSE
DEFEAT OF THE "STEP UP"
BILL IS A STEP DOWN
FOR OKLAHOMA STUDENTS,
TEACHERS, PARENTS,
GUARDIANS,
AND FOR OKLAHOMA.
SHAME ON THE HOUSE.
AT THE BOTTOM OF THE 
NATIONAL RANKINGS IN 
PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 
DEDICATED STUDENTS
AND TEACHERS STILL 
STRUGGLE AGAINST THE
ODDS. GOOD LUCK TO THEM
AS THEY CONTINUE TO FIGHT.

By Nancy P. Condit
 

CITY REP PRESENTS
heisenberg AT
CIVIC CENTER THROUGH
FEBRUARY 11

Don't miss the show critics call "IMPORTANT, WONDERFUL and OUTSTANDING"!

Directed by Ruth Charnay

February 9th through 11th

at

The Civic Center's CitySpace Theater

TICKETS

Starring Broadway leading lady Stacey Logan, with longtime Oklahoma City favorite Ben Hall. Ms. Logan and Mr. Hall are affiliated artists with the CityRep company.

Image courtesy of City Rep

THE LITTLE MERMAID
PRESENTED BY 
OKC BALLET FEB. 16-18

The Little Mermaid will be presented February 16-18 at the Civic Center Music Hall. In this World Premiere ballet, choreographed by Artistic Director Robert Mills, we follow a young mermaid who is willing to give up her identity and her life in the sea to gain a human soul. This incredible tale of sacrifice for eternal love will feature multimedia projections, along with spectacular sets and costumes. The original choreography is inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen story but with a twist that only Mr. Mills can bring to the stage. This version will not have any singing lobsters, but will instead feature video projections and the music of Alexander Zemlinksy, Alexander Borodin, and other classical composers of the era.  Please call our box office at (405) 848-TOES (8637) or www.okcballet.org./performance/the-little-mermaid/

You may also call the Civic Center Music Hall at 297-2264.

2-Performance Season Tickets are still available!  

Call 405-848-8637 to get all the benefits of a Season Subscription!

OKC BALLET CHOOSES
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
JO LYNNE JONES

OKC Ballet Announces New Executive Director

Jo Lynne Jones, new Executive Director, OKC Ballet.

Oklahoma City Ballet is thrilled to announce the hiring of Jo Lynne Jones as the John Kirkpatrick Executive Director. Jones comes to Oklahoma City Ballet from Infant Crisis Services, an Oklahoma City nonprofit where she served 16 years, most recently as Director of Development and Communications. Before her tenure in nonprofit, Jones worked in the broadcast industry as a news reporter and anchor.
“I enjoyed meeting Jo very much.  We hit it off right away.  I am excited for her to bring her vast experience in nonprofit leadership to our team at Oklahoma City Ballet,”  said  Robert Mills, Artistic Director of Oklahoma City Ballet.
“It is an honor to join the talented staff of Oklahoma City Ballet, one of the city’s premiere cultural institutions,” said Jones. “Like so many young girls, I, too, grew up dreaming of being a ballerina. While I didn’t pursue that artistic path, I know that my calling as a nonprofit leader will serve me well in this new and exciting position. I am thrilled to lead an organization of distinction in our community, and I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees, patrons, administration and artistic staff of this illustrious company.”
As the John Kirkpatrick Executive Director, Jones will take the helm of the organization during a very exciting time for the Ballet. A capital campaign has been underway for a little over a year, and is 91% to goal as renovations continue in the new facility at 6800 North Classen.  
In addition to her nonprofit career, Jones is also a board member for Brave Woman, a national organization giving voice to domestic abuse survivors. She serves as past president of the Oklahoma chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Oklahoma County Bar Auxiliary. She is a member of Leadership Oklahoma City Class 30 and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Jones is married to Tom Mullen, an attorney, and they have two sons.
“Jo is a perfect fit for us.  She is enthusiastic about our company, our performances and especially our community involvement.,” said Sally Nichols-Starling, Board of Trustees President. “ She comes to us at a crucial time as we continue the move into our new iconic dance center.  With Jo as our Executive Director, we look forward to continued growth and recognition on a national level.”
The John Kirkpatrick Executive Directorship is a newly endowed position, with the endowment  gift coming from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund. The position was named for John E. Kirkpatrick, who was an integral part of the founding of Oklahoma City Ballet with Yvonne Choteau and Miguel Terekhov.

# # #
About Oklahoma City Ballet: Founded in 1972 by Ballet Russe dancers Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov, Oklahoma City Ballet has been the city’s professional ballet company for 46 years. It is the resident dance Company of the Civic Center Music Hall and currently boasts dancers from around the world. Led by Artistic Director Robert Mills, the Company produces five main stage productions per season in Oklahoma City and tours across Oklahoma and the surrounding states. Oklahoma City Ballet restages the classics in addition to neo classical and other works of the 20th century. It also regularly commissions new works from the industry’s leading choreographers.