Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/124273
Sarasota News Leader April 26, 2013 Page 95 SARASOTA BALLET DELIGHTS AUDIENCES WITH FULL-LENGTH ASHTON PRODUCTION By Elinor Rogosin A&E Writer No doubt about it: Sarasota Ballet has a "winner" with "La Fille mal Gardée." It is a whimsical, entertaining fluff of a ballet that has been an audience favorite since Sir Frederick Ashton debuted his clever 1960 transformation of the 1789 original. entrance of a large cockerel (Alex Harrison) flapping its wings, it is obvious we are in Ashton's world. Yes, the mother (Widow Simone) is always performed in drag. Ricki Bertoni's exaggerated rump and shuffling demeanor, though edging towards caricature, captured the widow's mixture of greed and concern. But that did not stop him from happily clicking his wooden heels in the clog dance, one of the set pieces that make this ballet so delightful. The story — and it is a full three-act story ballet — is simple: A domineering mother (Ricki Bertoni) wants her daughter (Kate Honea) to marry the childish son (Logan Learned) of a wealthy man (Steven Windsor) instead of the poor farmer (Ricardo Graziano) the daugh- There are other set pieces in this peaceful buter loves. But when the ballet opens with the colic world (the charming sets and costumes The set design was by Doug Nicholson. Contributed photo