Ballet Flamenco La Rosa (BFLR) — an international flamenco dance company based in Miami and made up of dancers and musicians from Spain, Latin America and the U.S. — will present the world premiere of El Conde Dracula.
Created and choreographed by Ilisa Rosal, artistic director of BFLR, the piece was derived from Bram Stoker’s Dracula. It inspired the creation of a potent and vivid Flamenco ballet, connecting with this timeless material to create a new incarnation of what is probably the most definitive work in this genre. The performances will take place on Saturday, Nov. 24, 8 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 25, 3 p.m., at the historic Colony Theatre, 1040 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach.
This production features 14 dancers and musicians, including six top artists directly from Spain, led by special guest artist Pepe Flores, one of the most important artists of his time, in the role of Count Dracula. He will be joined by dancers Agustin Barajas, Juan Mateo and Fran Bas along with singer Luis Moreno and guitarist Miguel Aguilera, who will create and perform original vocals and lyrics for the work.
The story and characters help audiences relate to what is being expressed by the music and dance, which becomes a universal language. It creates an exciting and inspiring theater experience.
In the play, a young lawyer (Jonathan Harker) is assigned to a gloomy village in the midst of Eastern Europe. Harker is captured and imprisoned by the undead vampire Dracula, who travels to London, inspired by a photograph of Harker’s betrothed, Mina Murray.
In Britain, Dracula begins a reign of seduction and terror, draining the life from Mina’s closest friend, Lucy Westenra. Abraham Van Helsing, the archenemy of Count Dracula, adds a special twist to the story, as Lucy’s friends gather together to try to drive Dracula away.
With its earthy strength, spellbinding athleticism, subtle nuances and explosive energy, Flamenco will tell this story in a new and mesmerizing way. The themes provide ample opportunity to explore Flamenco’s range and power and will resonate with diverse audiences.
“Count Dracula is a figure of intense strength and a reflection of something that is inside each of us. We embrace this story as a fable of identity, making it our own,” Rosal said. “Audiences will be intrigued by the lure of this great novel, its characters and the connection with the plethora of vampire stories and tales that are so familiar.”
Generations of audiences have been enthralled by this quintessential myth of terror and temptation and the struggle between good and evil. It speaks to our search to understand the essence of strength, love, passion, seduction, loyalty, honor, heroism, the supernatural, the spiritual and the profane.
Tickets are (in advance): VIP, $40; general admission, $30; students and seniors, $20. Prices increase at the door.
For more information about Ballet Flamenco La Rosa, visit www.balletflamencolarosa.com.
