Lincoln Park alum’s world premiere ballet takes the stage

A classic fairy tale comes to life through original choreography, stunning costumes, and music written by Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School alumnus and current Boston Conservatory at Berklee sophomore Zachary Mendola in the world premiere of “Snow White the Ballet” at Lincoln Park February 15-17. Tickets are available online at www.lincolnparkarts.org/events, or by calling the Lincoln Park Box office at (724) 576-4644.

“This is a special show for us this season, as patrons will be only one of four audiences that have the chance to see and hear this beautiful show before it goes out into the world to be performed at other venues,” said Justin Fortunato, producing artistic director at Lincoln Park.

“We are thrilled to have Lincoln Park Charter School alumnus Zachary Mendola bringing an original work back home to the Lincoln Park stage. With a 20-piece orchestra conducted by Zach himself, this is a totally new retelling of one of the most loved fairytales of all time.”

Mendola, a Monongahela native, draws his inspiration for this original piece from several versions of Snow White, including the first released version by the Brothers Grimm in 1892 and the 1937 Walt Disney classic film.

Playing piano since he was 3 years old, this seems to come natural for Mendola who said, “really for me it is instinctual. I study other composers and scores, learning from what they have done. I have been heavily influenced by Tchaikovsky. He was one of the greatest ballet composers ever.”

In addition to writing, composing and orchestrating this original piece, Mendola will return home to Lincoln Park to conduct the orchestra. Lincoln Park audiences will remember Mendola from his leading roles on Lincoln Park’s stage as Quasimodo in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” Shrek in “Shrek The Musical,” Phantom in “Phantom of the Opera,” and many more.

“Returning home to Lincoln Park to start this creative process alongside Justin Fortunato and Director Jennifer Verba has been an incredibly rewarding experience. The new perspective of seeing it all come to life from the pit is a dream come true. I’m excited for audiences to be a part of something so special,” Mendola said.

Dancing the tale to life is a 49-member cast that features some of the freshest and most energetic young talent the region has to offer, including Lincoln Park senior Lexy Bittner (Snow White), sophomore Erika Durden (Queen), and sophomore Dyson Ramey (Prince).

“Working with a live orchestra in a ballet is very special because the dancers get to watch the conductor for cues, the music can be sped up or slowed down as needed, as well as accents that can be hit between the dancer and the orchestra,” said director and choreographer Jennifer Verba. “Our youngest cast member is just 5 years old and our oldest is 18. Six of the costumes were designed for us in Romania. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the entire cast.”

“Snow White the Ballet” is presented as part of “You’re Home,” Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center’s 2018-2019 Highmark Blue Cross / Blue Shield Subscription Series. The region’s premier arts-and-education destination, Lincoln Park is located in a beautiful park setting in Midland (Beaver County) Pennsylvania. The Center is home to the renowned Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, and creates authentic, real-world learning opportunities for young people by offering high-quality, professionally-produced musicals, plays, concerts, ballets, readings, and exhibits for patrons of all ages. For more information, visit www.LincolnParkArts.org.