Johnny Cash and a world premiere set for Ballet Kelowna season opener

Johnny Cash … yes that Johnny, along with a long-awaited debut, as well as a remount of a special piece, combine for a triple mixed bill for Ballet Kelowna’s 2023/24 season.

The program, called Rising Action, opens Nov. 3 and 4 at the Kelowna Community Theatre.

It features three short works by Canadian choreographers: the remount of Kirsten Wicklund's ethereal The Forever Part, as well as Studies of Cash, a soulful exploration of country legend Johnny Cash, from Ballet Kelowna's own Artistic Director and CEO Simone Orlando. The world premiere of The Royal We, from Montreal-based dancemaker and Ballet Kelowna Guest Artist Jake Poloz wraps up the performances.

“I don’t think people associate Johnny Cash with a ballet company,” Orlando told Kelowna10 at a rehearsal. “There’s a lot of interest when people hear a ballet is set to his music and it’s one of my most favourite pieces that I’ve created.”

Orlando is marking her 10th anniversary in her role. Her dance career was cut short as a principal dancer with Ballet Kelowna due to injury. She went back to school to study business, and then combined her two strengths and passions into one ideal job as the head of Ballet Kelowna.

Meanwhile for choreographer Jake Poloz, the world premiere of his The Royal We marks the culmination of a lot of work.

“I’ve been dreaming up this piece for a year and half,” Poloz said. “Having this opportunity means the world to me.”

The 26-year-old has been dancing since he was six.

“The piece is about our ambitions and how they tend to take the sole focus of our lives and we explore this idea through images of the monarchy,” he explained.

One of the sequences Poloz ran through in rehearsal is known as the court dance which highlights the lengths the court [the dancers] goes through to gain favour.

“The dancers are doing what they need to do to get ahead,” he said. “So, whatever image that takes in the monarchy sense, is sort of that pomp and performance, and whatever we do in our daily grind.”

For more details on the season opener click here.