CLEVELAND BALLET TO BOOGIE

"Blue Suede Shoes" begins rocking the State Theater May 24. The character of Elvis won't appear on stage, but the spirit of "the King" certainly will be part of the Cleveland Ballet's world premiere production.

Thirty-six Presley songs will highlight the Cleveland Ballet's world premiere production.

Conceived and choreographed by Ballet Artistic Director Dennis Nahat, the rock-and-roll ballet takes three mid-1950's buddies (in their blue suede shoes, natch!) from the high school to the hot dog drive-in, through graduation and into the army. They roll through an age of innocence to the rocky social changes of the 1960s and into the rise of disco in the '70s.

This is ballet? Tutti Frutti done in toe shoes? Bossa Nova Baby in a tutu?

Celebrated Hollywood designer Bob Mackie, who created costumes and sets, says, "One thing for sure, it won't be your typical night at the ballet." But he also says, "People will come who have never seen professional ballet before because they love Elvis and because they'll be curious."

Mackie will feed that curiousity with seven big production scenes that include the high school and car-hop, a sexy black and red jail house ("Jail House Rock"), a wild disco dance club, and lotsa' legs and feet shod in blue suede shoes.

Nahat says all the songs will connect to one another as though written for a scenario. Award-winning Hollywood composer William Ross has the job of tying all the musical arrangements and transition themes together.

The Ballet's "New Dance Ventures" division is presenting "Blue Suede Shoes." Its producer, David Oakland, sees this show introducing "...dance to a very broad range of people, while simultaneously drawing on the traditional ballet audience."

Oakland believes "the appeal of Presley's music, coupled with the creation of this innovative and spectacular production should be very attractive to venues across the country and abroad."

Out-of-Cleveland staging will come, and out-of-town interest is expected to be big for the 16 performances of "Blue Suede Shoes" at the State Theater on Playhouse Square. It previews May 24-27 with the official opening night on Wednesday, May 29.

"The High School - from Blue Suede Shoes
designed by Bob Mackie