Presidio Dance Theatre’s World Premiere of “The Little Lantern” Debuts in San Francisco
Presidio Dance Theatre’s World Premiere of “The Little Lantern” Debuts in San Francisco
Ballet Is Based on Story by Beloved Palestinian Author Ghassan Kanafani
Saturday, June 6 at SF’s Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
7pm performance
19 May 2014 – San Francisco, CA: San Francisco’s internationally renowned Presidio Dance Theatre (www.presidiodance.org ) presents their annual spring event on Saturday, June 6 at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre (3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco) – a world premiere ballet theatre presentation of the beloved children’s tale The Little Lantern, Discover the Magic, Experience the Light.
“The magic of this beautiful story is matched by the dedication of our artists,” said Sherene Melania, artistic director of the Presidio Dance Theatre. “The story’s message is timeless, and the music, sets, and costumes for this production, are enchanting.”
The world premiere production of The Little Lantern is based on the popular children’s book written by beloved Palestinian Author Ghassan Kanafani with libretto and choreography by Melania, who will also dance the lead role of Princess. Principal artists include, Zurab Dudashvili and Avantadil Kurashvili, stars of Georgia’s famed Sukhishvili Company.
The Little Lantern is a story about a king who dies, leaving his only daughter and heiress to the throne. He leaves his will with the wise man in the castle, which instructs his daughter that in order to become the queen of the kingdom, she has to bring the sun into the castle before the candle melts. The princess, being young, thinks that she will be able to catch the sun and carry it on her back to the castle. She tries many ways, but to no avail. She later locks herself in her room, and on the eighth day, finds a note under her door, saying that by locking herself in, she will never find a solution. The climax of the lovely tale reveals how young princess succeeds in “bringing sun” into the castle.
“I fell in love with The Little Lantern,” says Melania. “It is such an honor to produce this work, especially in concert with so many of our community’s most respected members.”
The Little Lantern is produced with the permission of the Kanafani Cultural Foundation, with the artistic representation of Haya Shawa Ben-Halim. Presidio Dance Theatre co-produces The Little Lantern with Zawaya and Mesopotamian Night, two stellar organizations for the arts and Cultural preservation.
Ghassan Kanafani, whose vision and writings inspired thousands to create and dream, wrote and illustrated this first children’s novel for his beloved niece Lamis, for her eighth birthday. At 37, Kanafani was assassinated in Beirut in 1972, a tragedy which also resulted in the death of his niece.
Tickets for The Little Lantern can be purchased directly at the theatre box office or online at: thelittlelantern.brownpapertickets.com. A portion of the ticket price benefits the Kanafani Cultural Foundation and Presidio Dance Theatre’s Education, Performance, and Scholarship Fund.