Bossov to bring classic tale to Bangor

BANGOR – “The Nutcracker” was a Christmas confection, and “Cinderella” sold out in March. Now the Bossov Ballet Theatre is preparing to return to Bangor for a weekend of performances of “Scheherazade,” named for the wise heroine in the timeless legend of the Middle East, “One Thousand and One Arabian Nights.”

The Pittsfield-based ballet troupe will bring “Scheherazade” to the Bangor Opera House at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, May 21-22.

Stacey O’Donal of Gorham will dance Scheherazade, and Michael Dunsmore of Anchorage, Alaska, will portray the King.

The ballet’s costumes are the most colorful of the Bossov repertoire. A huge green dragon made of four agile dancers will swirl its way around the stage in ferocious pursuit of a frightened princess defended by her valiant prince.

A ship will be pitched and tossed on a rolling sea while dolphins play.

Professional dancer Peter Chamberlin, who impressed audiences as the dance teacher in “Cinderella,” will make a return performance as Scheherazade’s Genie.

With Rimsky-Korsakoff’s stirring “Scheherazade” suite, it will be an evening that cannot but delight the hearts of young children and stir the emotions of adults, said Bossov officials.

Andrei Bossov’s ballet libretto zooms in on the beautiful bride, Scheherazade, who tells her suitor king a different story a night – stories to save herself from a monarch so cruel he has sworn to execute a new and different bride each morning, only to marry another one the following day.

Bravely, Scheherazade joins the succession – but with a plan: to deliver not only herself but her nation by saving every woman of marrying age, who otherwise would be the king’s prey.

The wise woman weaves a tale each night so intriguing that the King can only spare her life, again and again, until at last he relinquishes his vow and spares her life so he can hear the end of the story.

Choreography is by Andrei Bossov, whose talent for telling stories through dance is known in Maine and abroad.

Tickets cost $17 for adults, $14 for youth and seniors. To reserve tickets, call 487-6360.