With a moving performance celebrating Children’s Day, the “Pippa Longstockings” Ballet, performed by talented students from the Municipal School of Classical Ballet under the direction of Zoila Fernández, concluded its run at the Ángela Peralta Theater.
The production, presented by the Instituto Municipal de Cultura, Turismo y Arte de Mazatlan as part of its Spring Season, under the direction of Raúl Rico and Abril Márquez, offered its third and final performance this past Wednesday, April 30th, attracting hundreds of spectators of all ages who enjoyed a magical evening.
The charming story of Pippa (played by Carmina Loaiza Mendoza) was masterfully narrated by dancer and teacher Aura Patrón, whose voice knew how to nuance each passage with the necessary emotion, transporting the audience through the protagonist’s joys and melancholies.
Pippa, a dreamy girl facing the absence of her mother and awaiting the return of her sailor father, finds solace in her friends, her inseparable African monkey, Mr. Nilsson (played by Orlando Osuna Arenas), and the objects in her trunk, which unleash her imagination and fill her with characters and adventures.
In her dreams, Pippa is transported to a beautiful field full of flowers and experiences exciting naval battles where pirates attempt to invade her father’s ship and battle against fierce Apaches.
The play has poignant and sad moments, when Pippa searches for her mother in the brightest star in the sky, feeling her love and protection.
The staging captivated thanks to Karla Aguirre’s creative multimedia work and Hiram Salomón’s immersive lighting, which together created a colorful and magical atmosphere. Elisa Espinosa’s costumes, as distinctive and vibrant as Pippa herself with their multi-colored tights and red braids, added a charming touch to the production.
From the balconies to the auditorium, the audience followed Pippa’s tender story with rapture and marveled at the talent and dedication of the young dancers. The students of the Municipal School of Classical Ballet demonstrated discipline, notable progress in mastering Cuban ballet technique, and, above all, a profound love and passion for dance, leaving the audience pleasantly surprised by their artistic progress.
At the end of the performance, a unanimous and prolonged ovation from the audience rewarded the cast’s effort and dedication, celebrating the success of this endearing production that undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the hearts of young and old.
