Madeline Ballet Takes Audience Under the Big Top

For its 35th season, the Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet company plans to honor its late founding artistic director Nan Klinger.

On March 12 and 13, dancers will slip on their ballet shoes to perform Francis Patrelle’s Madeline at the Circus. The story of the smallest of 12 girls in two straight lines will come to life on stage at the Akron Civic Theatre.

Based on the children’s books by Ludwig Bemelmans, Patrelle changed several scenes to give the ballet a new vision. The audience can follow Madeline and her 11 friends under the big top for a magical show featuring a beautiful ballerina and her dancing ponies, clowns and a ferris wheel.

Followinng the show, the CVYB will debut a brand-new ballet to honor of Klinger. The ballet, choreographed by former New York City Ballet Soloist Tom Gold, is called Symphonic NANsense.

Founded in 1953, Nan Klinger Excellence in Dance is the home of CVYB and is now under the direction of Klinger's daughter Mia. The dance company is made up of about 40 classically trained dancers ages 8 to 18.

"I chose Tom Gold to do a fun piece, celebrating 35 years of the CVYB and the life of my mother, because of his joy of dance as a performer with New York City Ballet," said Mia Klinger, artistic director. "He exuded his love of his art and was by far one of the most exciting dancers to watch."

Tickets can be purchased at the Akron Civic Theatre box office at 330-253-2488 or online at Ticketmaster.