The Augusta Ballet will bring the magic of “Cinderella” to the Columbia County Performing Arts Center stage Saturday.
“We have presented two versions of the ballet in the past,” according to Ron Jones, artistic director of the Augusta Ballet.
Jones has passed the torch of staging this incarnation to his grandson, Gabe Hughes, who has danced in multiple roles in productions of “Cinderella.” The company first staged it more than 20 years ago.
“The first version was choreographed by Atlanta Ballet’s late Tom Pazik and presented at ASU Performing Arts Theatre. Gabe was an infant, and his mother danced the leading role. The next time we presented this same version of Cinderella was at the Jabez Sanford Hardin Performing Arts Center. Gabe was the Royal Messenger and Hair Dresser’s Assistant…The third time we presented this version was on the Imperial Theatre’s stage. Gabe was the prince.”
A second version emerged, choreographed by Michael Viator, in 2018 in honor of the Imperial Theatre’s 100th anniversary.
And on Saturday, audiences will get to see a new imagining of the classic story about a girl with a fairy godmother and a glass slipper who heads to a ball and meets her Prince Charming.
“His is a collaboration of what he felt was the best of each version combining the exciting movement of Michael’s large scenes of dancing with the poignant story telling of Tom Pazik. He has tapped into Stephen (Jones, Ron’s son) as well as myself for artistic input,” he said. “Incidentally, Gabe’s brother, Isaiah, is Prince Charming in this new restaging. Our family’s legacy is continuing strong.
The performance begins at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25. Go here for tickets.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years. She’s won multiple Georgia Press Association awards and is the recipient of the 2018 Greater Augusta Arts Council’s media award. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
