The Asheville Ballet, Ann Dunn director, will premier a full-length production of Cervantes. classic tale, Don Quixote, at Diana Wortham Theater May 7 and 8 at 7:30 and May 9 at 2:30. Tickets are $18- 28 with children's tickets available for $10. Call the box office at 257-4530 for reservations. This performance is appropriate for families.

In addition to its cutting-edge contemporary work by new choreographers, Asheville Ballet has become known for its extravagant full-length classical works, like The Nutcracker, Giselle and Romeo and Juliet. Thanks to generous private patronage, the May production of Don Quixote will be one of the most lavish ever undertaken by Asheville Ballet. Eighteen of the ballet's over one-hundred new costumes were specially hand-made in the Ukraine just for this production. Twenty swirling, ruffled flamenco skirts contribute to the sultry gypsy scene, while shining white classical tutus in the dream sequence embody the Don's quest for ideal perfection in an imperfect world.

Director and choreographer Ann Dunn has recreated and adapted the original Russian choreography, and has added new choreography for many sections, with input from company members Amy Kohler and Lyle Laney, and guest coach Vlada Kysselova.

The roles of Don Quixote and his delightfully funny squire, Sancho Panza, will be interpreted by veteran Asheville performers Ralph Redpath and David Hopes. Redpath brings a solemn dignity to the benighted knight's trials and tribulations. Hopes. antics are sidesplitting, as he negotiates the mundane world of wine, women and other bodily comforts, while traipsing after his ethereal master.

Asheville Ballet is proud to announce that the principal role of Basil, made famous most recently by Barishnikov, will be performed by International Ballet star Hennadii Bespechnyi. Hennadii Bespechnyi received his professional training at the Riga State College of Choreography, Latvia, under Professor Juris Kapralis. He also holds a Master's Degree as a choreographer, coach and ballet master from the Ukrainian Academy of Dance, International Slavic University. Hennadii has toured extensively as Principal Dancer with Ballet Classique de Paris (France); Kiev Theater of Classical Ballet (Ukraine); and International Ballet De Ochi (Japan). He is currently Artistic Director of The International Ballet Academy.

Asheville's own ballerina, Sarah McGinnis, will take on the challenging lead role of Kitri - perhaps the most difficult part in the entire classical repertoire. Kitri flashes, leaps, spins and even hops on pointe from the beginning of the ballet to its rousing conclusion. Ms. McGinnis has trained since the age of three and is currently a pre-professional at Fletcher School of Dance. Her most recent role was Sugar Plum Fairy in this season's Nutcracker.

Asheville Ballet's core of resident adult professionals will dance lead roles, with Amy Kohler performing Dulcinea, Don Quixote's idealized lover, and Lyle Laney interpreting the sexy bull-fighter Espada. Also taking on lead roles are Principal Dancers Monica Mady, Katy Bruce, Breah Page, Jenny Sinfield, Megan Jones, Lara Polsky Gillease, Amy Strickland, Sam Humphries, Daniel McGinnis, and Blair Chamberlain.

Renowned ballet coach Vlada Kysselova has been supervising all Kitri and Basil rehearsals. In addition, she staged the grand pas de deux. Vlada Kysselova received her training at the Kiev State College of Choreography, Ukraine. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Kiev State Linguistic University and a Master's Degree with Honors as a choreographer, coach and ballet master from the Ukrainian Academy of Dance, International Slavic University. Vlada toured extensively as a soloist with National Theater of Opera and Ballet, Kiev (Ukraine) and as principal dancer with Kiev Theater of Classical Ballet and Ballet Classique de Paris (France). She is currently Assistant Director and Ballet Mistress at The International Ballet Academy.

Finally, Brazilian dancer Eliane Casagrandi, has been responsible for giving the company eight weeks of special coaching in the postures and gestures of Flamenco dance. Eliane Casagrandi studied and performed Flamenco in Brazil at such prestigious places as Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba, Academia Jussara Sansigolo de Piracicaba, and Espaco Pedagogico em Campinas. She taught Flamenco at Academia Jussara Sansigolo and shared her love of dance with students with disabilities. Eliane performed in the ballet Don Quixote in Piracicaba and studied classical ballet with Academia de Ballet Lina Penteado and Academia Atlas.

Additional weekly coaching sessions have been conducted by residents Amy Kohler, Heather Hawkins, Lora Polsky Gillease, Lyle Laney, and Kimie Sasaki.

Artistic patronage is a tradition that goes back at least to The Medici's in renaissance Florence. That noble family commissioned Michelangelo, Donatello, and others to create works of art to commemorate loved ones, to honor God, or simply to enrich public life. That major anonymous patronage of the arts is alive and well in Asheville is a credit to the cultural vitality of this community. It is only fitting that such generosity be thanked and honored by those who appreciate living in a city with a thriving ballet company, orchestra, opera, art museum, choral society and many theatre companies. It is with a sense of civic affection and personal pride in our product that we at The Asheville Ballet encourage you to attend Don Quixote.

Ballet, like life itself, is beautiful, mysterious, full of meanings and feelings, tough, rewarding, and transitory. There are only three performances of Don Quixote. Unlike a stone monument, when the curtain comes down on the final show, there will be nothing left but the experience each audience member takes away in his or her own heart.

For more information, call Ann Dunn at 258-1028.