“Like a time capsule, capturing the richness and fullness that once defined all ballet”

The Courant

“Something for everyone”

San Diego Reader

“Head Jester Mikhail Ovcharov seemed to fly through the air with his cabrioles and grand jetes–a definite audience favorite”

Enchanted Seashells

“It was a treat to see probably some of the finest ballet artists in the world. This is probably as good as it gets”

Times-Advocate

“This production captivated us with classic ballet traditions while adding new choreography, hand painted sets, and beyond beautiful hand sewn costumes”

Enchanted Seashells

“A heightened sense of reality, folk tales and folk dances transmogrified into sinuous spectacle”

San Diego Reader

“One of the most transcendent cultural experiences I have had in a long time”

Times-Advocate

Welcome to the magical world of Cinderella! 

An enchanting story for all ages with a wonderful dose of humor,
the majesty of classical ballet, and the promise of “happily ever after”.

World Ballet Series: Cinderella is a beautiful fairy tale told by 40 professional dancers, featuring hand-painted sets and vivid hand-sewn costumes. This world-class production is made for everyone, from seasoned ballet lovers to first-timers.  Expect to be amazed, entertained, and inspired!

Choreographed by Marina Kesler, a renowned Estonian choreographer known for her skillful storytelling and breathtaking ballet movements. Experience a unique performance that will touch your heart without words, combining humor and beauty.

Book your tickets now for a night of enchantment and wonder!

But don’t forget – when the clock strikes midnight…

Preview

4 Reasons To Love It:

1. Brilliant performance by a cast of 40 professional ballet dancers from around the world.
2. The production features hand-painted sets, following 100-year-old theatrical scenery-making traditions, and vivid hand-sewn costumes. Just look at the detailing!
3. A unique chance to see a new classic ballet production made for a modern viewer. World Ballet Series: Cinderella skillfully combines classical traditions and modern dynamics and ideas, which makes it progressive, understandable, and accessible to any viewer and will not leave anyone indifferent!
4. Enjoy an all-family production! And follow unexpected plot twists: what will the Fairy decide to do with Step Sisters, and why did the audience laugh so hard at her decision?

Explore

Cinderella Broom Dance

Cinderella: Prince's Friends

Cinderella: Prince's Solo

Cinderella: Fairy Godmother

Cinderella: Adagio

Cinderella: Fouetté

Cinderella: Prince and Stepsisters

Reviews

My daughter and I attended the show last night in Bristol, TN. I wish we could see it again… the dancers are amazing!

KeenMullins STeresa 

We were able to see you in Riverside and it was phenomenal! Thank you so much for such a beautiful production!!

Shelley Rice-Renison

Went to the Pittsfield show last night. My daughter and I LOVED it. We where in awe of the beauty and talent. Thanks you!

Seanna Isaacs 

Saw you in McAllen! Wonderful show. Thank you!

Linda Schebel

You were beautiful and hysterical and a joy to watch dance! Can’t wait until the WBT comes back to Riverside California!

Gigi Brewer

Saw it in Roanoke, VA. It was absolutely wonderful! The costumes, sets, lighting, the talented dancers made it a night to remember. Bravo!!

Kathryn Reyna 

I got to see them 2nd row from the stage. The costumes were absolutely Brilliant!! I will be seeing them again!

Kat Woodring 

It was the most beautiful performance I have ever seen. So glad I didn’t miss it…

Donna Santa Cruz

Thank you for a wonderful performance! We loved it!

Mary Beth Aubertin

It was FABULOUS!!! The costumes are unbelievable and the cast phenomenal ♥️♥️♥️

AnneMarie Gwiazdowski-Watrous

Photos

Synopsis

Act I. Scene 1. Once upon a time, in a distant kingdom there lived a girl, her name was Cinderella. Her mother died and her father married another woman, who also had her own two daughters. The new stepsisters don't like Cinderella and mistreat her.

Cinderella’s morning begins with the stepsisters’ angry tricks and quarrels, as usual. The stepmother doesn’t allow her husband to give affection to his daughter. Although Cinderella's father loves her, he is afraid of his wife. Cinderella is lonely and sad.

But Cinderella has a godmother, who sometimes looks a lot like a fairy! She thinks of her godmother and misses her.

Suddenly, time stops and the Fairy appears. She hands the family invitations to the ball.

The Stepsisters are getting ready for the ball. They don’t know that Cinderella also received an invitation. But she can’t go - she doesn’t have anything to wear for the ball. The Stepsisters try on the ball gowns, quarreling and envying each other’s outfits. The quarrel is interrupted by the Dance Tutor. The Stepsisters are bad at dancing lessons, but Cinderella repeats all exercises easily and with grace. This makes the Stepsisters envious and the Stepmother angry.

Suddenly, the living room is filled with magical light. Adorable little helpers of the Fairy peep from all angles.

Act I. Scene 2. The Fairy transports Cinderella to a wonderful magic garden, where everything is possible. There, the Fairies give Cinderella a gorgeous dress, made of gold, decorated with precious stones. Mice are turned into horses and a pumpkin into a gorgeous carriage. But the best present comes from the Fairy Godmother – a pair of crystal slippers. Cinderella is grateful to the Godmother and rejoices.

However, the Fairy Godmother warns Cinderella very strictly, that she should return home before midnight. If she is late - her splendid dress will turn into rags, the horses will become mice, and the carriage will turn into pumpkin.

INTERMISSION

Act II. Scene 1. Guests are gathering for the ball at the King’s palace. The King and the Queen greet the guests, the Stepsisters and Stepmother are among them. The Prince is joyful and with his friends makes fun of all the pomposity. Everyone loves the Prince. There are a lot of beauties at the ball. But the one who has entered last, is the most charming. She is wearing a gorgeous dress, but it’s not the dress that attracts everybody, it is the girl herself. She radiates kindness and tenderness. It is Cinderella.

Cinderella meets the Prince. They fall in love at first sight. The Prince pledges to the girl his heart and soul. He offers her a gift of exotic fruit - the oranges, but the Stepsisters manage to steal it. Suddenly the clock strikes midnight. The Fairy Godmother appears to help Cinderella escape from the ball before it is too late. The ball is over for Cinderella. She rushes from the palace, dropping one of her crystal slippers off her foot and leaving it behind. The Prince finds the slipper and runs after his love, eager to find her.

Act II. Scene 2. The Prince does his best to find the beautiful stranger. He is devastated. The King and the Queen want to help their beloved son. The Prince wonders around the Kingdom, hoping to find his beloved there. He asks all the women of his kingdom to try on the crystal slipper. They all do, but the delicate crystal slipper is too small for all the women he meets on his way.

Act II. Scene 3.  The other crystal slipper is the only thing left to Cinderella after the ball. She is daydreaming, and in her imagination, she dances again, and she is happy again. The Stepmother and the Stepsisters don't know that she was at the ball, and they tell her about the amazing experience they had, bragging about dancing with the Prince and showing off the oranges they "received" at the ball. Cinderella can’t even hope that the Prince finds her. Suddenly the Prince with his entourage appears at the door. He has been to dozens of houses, trying to find his bride. Now he finally came to Cinderella’s father's home.

The Stepmother and the Stepsisters go out of their minds attempting to put on the crystal slipper. The Stepmother wants to be a royal bride so bad that she is ready to shorten her own foot to make it fit. While trying to stop her from doing this, Cinderella drops the other crystal slipper. The Prince finally sees and recognizes his beloved, and they happily reunite.

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F.A.Q.

Tell me more about the company

Meet the World Ballet Series: A Celebration of Global Ballet Talent

The World Ballet Series embodies a novel fusion of the world’s most adored ballets, performed live on celebrated stages throughout the nation.

Bound together by their love for reimagining classical ballet traditions, our cast of 50 accomplished dancers from 10 different countries collaborates to perform in visually stunning and critically lauded modern renditions of ageless masterpieces.

The World Ballet Series delivers a family-oriented experience, accompanied by ageless scores, over 150 expertly hand-stitched costumes, artisan-designed sets, and the most gifted dancers presenting three celebrated ballets: Swan Lake, Nutcracker, and Cinderella.

This remarkable series is produced by Gorskaya-Hartwick Productions, a Los Angeles based largest touring ballet production company.

Who is in the cast?

Introducing the Stellar Cast of Cinderella Ballet

World Ballet Series proudly presents an exceptional, multinational ensemble of dancers, handpicked from premier ballet institutions across Europe, Japan, the UK, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and beyond.

Principal Dancer Ekaterina Malkovich, who graces the stage as Cinderella, is an accomplished and celebrated ballerina, earning the prestigious Golden Mask Theatre Award. Joining her in the spotlight as the Prince is the rapidly ascending classical ballet star, Leonardo Celegato.

This remarkable performance also showcases the talents of a new generation of ballet virtuosos, including Angelina Zgurskaya’s dazzling portrayal of the Stepmother, Kyunsoon Park’s breathtaking pas-de-trois in Swan Lake, and Rebecca Nervi’s unforgettable rendition of Mother Ginger.

Don’t miss this captivating ballet experience, which masterfully combines tradition and innovation, highlighting the incredible skill and artistry of a diverse and talented cast. Book your tickets now to witness this mesmerizing display of ballet excellence.

Who dances the cinderella part?

Meet the Star: Ekaterina Malkovich in Cinderella

Ekaterina Malkovich, an accomplished ballet virtuoso, is the first soloist of the World Ballet Series. As a former star of the Yekaterinburg Opera and Ballet Theater, she has steadily garnered international acclaim and amassed numerous accolades.

Malkovich has twice been nominated for the prestigious Golden Mask Theatre Award (in 2017 and 2018) for her outstanding female ballet performances. She was recognized for her roles in “Romeo and Juliet,” directed by Vyacheslav Samodurov, and “Naiad and the Fisherman,” directed by Yuri Burlak.

Additionally, she holds the esteemed title of Laureate of the International Competition of Choreographic Educational Institutions “Orleu.”

Experience the unparalleled grace and artistry of Ekaterina Malkovich as she takes the stage in the World Ballet Series, enchanting audiences with her captivating performances and exceptional talent. Don’t miss your chance to witness this rising ballet star in action.

What about the music?

The Magical Soundscape: Music in the World Ballet Series

Discover the enchanting soundscape that brings the captivating world of Cinderella to life in the World Ballet Series. Our talented team of sound engineers and music curators carefully select and blend compositions from the most renowned composers to create a harmonious and evocative auditory experience for our audience.

As a vital component of each ballet performance, music has the power to transport and inspire, adding depth and emotion to every scene. Though our touring ballet company is not currently accompanied by a live orchestra, we ensure that the music is skillfully engineered and reproduced, maintaining the highest quality and authenticity for our patrons.

Join us on this magical journey as we celebrate the powerful union of music and dance, weaving together an unforgettable experience that speaks to the heart and captivates the senses.

Is ballet for me?

Audience Suitability: A Show for Everyone

The World Ballet Series’ presentation of Cinderella is a universally appealing experience designed to delight audiences of all ages. Whether you’re a seasoned ballet enthusiast or new to the magical world of theater, this performance is sure to impress and inspire.

While our shows are created to appeal to a broad audience, we recommend that children aged 3 and older join us for the best experience. Cinderella is a timeless fairy tale that has established itself as a family-friendly classic, making it an ideal choice for those with young children. Please note that Prokofiev’s powerful score may be loud for very young audience members.

What to wear?

Attire Choices for Your Ballet Night Out

The decision is entirely in your hands! Attending a classical ballet performance can be an excellent opportunity to dress up and embrace your elegant side. Many of our patrons enjoy donning formal attire for the occasion. However, if you prefer something more casual and comfortable, that’s perfectly fine too! Rest assured, you won’t be the only one, and our priority is to ensure you have an enjoyable experience, regardless of your outfit choice.

How to understand what is going on stage?

Stay Informed and Engaged: Understanding the Ballet Performance

Don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the entire Cinderella story; we’ve got you covered. Upon arrival at the venue, you’ll find information stands in the lobby featuring QR codes that you can scan to access our digital program. This comprehensive guide includes a synopsis of the plot and a timeline to help you follow the on-stage events with ease. So, sit back, relax, and let us guide you through the enchanting world of Cinderella’s ballet performance.

What happens during intermission?

Maximize Your Intermission: Activities and Treats

Our 20-minute intermission offers plenty of opportunities for entertainment and refreshments. You can visit the performing arts center’s concession stand for a variety of snacks and beverages. Don’t forget to check out our merchandise store, where you’ll find branded t-shirts, brochures, and a range of ballet- themed souvenirs. For a memorable keepsake, take advantage of the chance to have a professional photo taken with one of the characters. With so much to see and do, just be sure to return to your seat in time for the captivating Act 2!

Can i bring food in?

Food and Beverage Policies at Our Performances

At the World Ballet Series, we strive to ensure an enjoyable experience for all our patrons. While we encourage you to savor the delicious snacks and beverages available at the venue’s concession stand, we kindly request that you consume them in the lobby area. To maintain the pristine condition of our auditorium and ensure the comfort of all audience members, only water is permitted inside the performance space. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

How early should i arrive?

Timely Arrival for a Seamless Experience

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable beginning to your World Ballet Series experience, we recommend arriving at the venue at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. This allows ample time for you to navigate any potential lines, find your seats, and settle in comfortably before the captivating ballet performance begins. By arriving early, you can fully immerse yourself in the magical world of our timeless productions without any distractions.

What happens if i am late for the show?

Late Arrivals and Seating Protocol

At the World Ballet Series, we understand that unforeseen circumstances can sometimes lead to late arrivals. Should you arrive after the performance has begun, our dedicated staff will assist in seating you during an appropriate break in the show. This ensures minimal disruption for both the audience and the performers, allowing you to join in the enchanting ballet experience as seamlessly as possible. We kindly remind you to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the showtime to fully enjoy the captivating world of our unforgettable productions.