If you ask a child in Seattle what they think of when they hear the name Ukraine, the first thing likely to come to mind for many is the word war. For nearly two years now, Ukraine’s struggle against Russian invaders is all they’ve heard about regarding the beleaguered country.
This month, give the gift of a broader understanding of Ukraine’s rich culture and artistic prowess and an enchanting staging of beloved children’s fairytale — the Grand Kyiv Ballet’s production of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”
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Snow White will run twice daily (at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.) at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre from December 20-23. The Grand Kyiv Ballet’s production is recommended for families with kids ages 5 and older. For tickets, go to Paramount Theatre’s online box office. Seats start at $30.
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The show features Kateryna Kukhar and Oleksandr Stoianov, both principle dancers from the National Opera of Ukraine. Kukhar holds the prestigious People’s Artist of Ukraine and the Order of Princess Olga of the 3rd degree. The latter honor is an honor bestowed on women for ‘personal merits in state, production, scientific, educational, cultural, charity, and other spheres of social activities, for upbringing children in families. Stoianov, also a People’s Artist of Ukraine, is also the Artistic Director of the Grand Kyiv Ballet.
Dancers displaced by war
Kukhar and Stoianov’s lives were upended when war broke out in their homeland while they were performing out of the country. With a lot perseverance and the assistance of friends, Kukhar and Stoianov were eventually able to evacuate their two children and other family members from Ukraine, although Kukhar’s parents remain in Kyiv. The dancers are temporarily residing in Seattle until it is safe to return to Ukraine.
In May Stoinanov told the Ipswich Tribune in Australia that the couple’s continued staging of ballets outside of Ukraine is a form of “peaceful protest” and a way showcase the country’s arts.
“We have two missions,” Oleksandr told the Tribune. “First, it is to help our country to win this war and then our second mission is a cultural mission. We want people to know more about our culture.”
All proceeds from this event will go towards renovating the Kyiv State Choreographic College in Kyiv, where Kukhar teaches. She was in Berlin with six dance students from the school when bombs started dropping on Kyiv.
Fun and feisty dwarfs. Photo courtesy Grand Kyiv Ballet
Storyline in a nutshell
Inspired by the beloved Disney animated movie, Grand Kyiv’s adaptation seamlessly merges the dancing with the unique musical motifs of Polish composer Bogdan Pavlovsky.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is, at its core, a story about love and the eternal struggle between good and evil. In this timeless fairytale, her wicked stepmother orders Princess Snow White to leave her homey castle forever. Wandering the woods, she discovers the home of seven dwarfs – a funny, kind, and colorful band of miners who take the princess under their roof and into their hearts. After Snow White is put into an everlasting sleep by her stepmother’s (acting as a witch) curse, love wins out. A neighbor prince comes along and kisses her with the heart of true love to break the spell. The show is an excellent opportunity to introduce children to the art of classical ballet.
For tickets, go to Paramount Theatre’s online box office. Seats start at $30.
