Don Quixote dances into Stephens Auditorium

Josh Nelson

After believing he had received a call to duty, Don Quixote de la Mancha marched out of his home and set forth to fulfill his destiny. Perhaps this is what Sergei Radchenko felt when he formed the Moscow Festival Ballet, which is comprised of many of the top dancers from all over Russia. It may be a stretch, but Radchenko did succeed in what could have been his life’s goal — to create an all-star cast of dancers, including members of the Bolshoi and Kirov Ballets. That all-star cast will be performing “Don Quixote,” based on the famous Cervantes novel, tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Stephens Auditorium.”It’s classical Russian style,” Patti Cotter, marketing and public relations coordinator at the Iowa State Center, said. “And when people say ballet, that’s what they mean.”Radchenko formed the ballet company in 1989 to fuse the classical elements of the two leading companies, the Bolshoi and the Kirov Companies, into one independent company.Since then, the company has received world-wide acclaim in its efforts to expand its expertise.The tale of Don Quixote begins in Quixote’s library where he is reviewing books that tell of knights in days gone by. Quixote believes these stories call him to perform knightly deeds.While out doing those deeds, Quixote and his helpful squire Sancho Panza meet a pair of lovers in a time of need. Quixote helps them escape and from there, the plot undergoes a series of twist and turns that will keep everyone interested.”The story is really enjoyable for many people, since it is quick-paced and light-hearted,” Cotter said.The ballet is also characterized by large, beautiful sets and a story line that is able to accommodate a large cast like the one the Moscow Festival Ballet employs. “The story will give the dancers a lot of room to show off their technique,” Cotter said.