High Point Ballet brings back live performances

Jimmy Tomlin, The High Point Enterprise, N.C.
·2 min read

May 2—HIGH POINT — After a 17-month drought, High Point Ballet will return to the stage next weekend for its first live performances since December 2019.

"We are absolutely thrilled for a chance to finally get back out there and do what we love best, and that is to entertain," said Rita Taylor, executive director. "It's been a long dry season for us."

The troupe will present "Tribute To Broadway" — a high-energy show featuring song and dance favorites from Broadway — Friday evening and Saturday afternoon at the High Point Theatre. Even as the bright lights of Broadway remain dark, this production will pay tribute to the so-called Great White Way, including numbers from such popular Broadway shows as "Les Miserables," "The Phantom of the Opera," "In the Heights" and "Little Shop of Horrors."

"You know, Broadway is still down, so we felt like it was timely to bring back some of the great shows that have been a part of Broadway for so long," Taylor said.

"It'll be singing and dancing, and just a lot of great energy. It will be a great way to come back to live theater."

High Point Ballet last performed in front of live audiences during the 2019 Christmas season, when the troupe presented its annual performances of "The Nutcracker," also at the High Point Theatre. The ballet live-streamed its 2020 "Nutcracker" performances, with dancers on the stage but no spectators in the audience.

"Our performers are so excited to be back," Taylor said.

"A critical part of any performer's existence is having the chance to perform. It's the reason for all the countless classes you go to and all the hard work you do, so it's really, really special to be back, especially knowing that so many millions of performers in the world are still not back."

For next weekend's performances, socially distanced seating and mask-wearing protocols will be in place. In addition, the theater will employ a disinfecting mist throughout the facility between shows to provide as safe a performance experience as possible, Taylor said.

jtomlin@hpenews.com — 336-888-3579