Houston Ballet: La Fille mal gardée

Phillip Broomhead returns in a work by Sir Frederick Ashton

Comments (0) By Julia Ramey Thursday, Jun 10 2010

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Merry milkmaids, a maypole and a live pony: These are but a few of the family-friendly features of the romantic, lyrical ballet La Fille mal gardée, presented by the Houston Ballet. The company will perform a 1960 version by the legendary British choreographer Sir Frederick Ashton; his soft, romantic style fits the tale of a farm girl, Lise, who must choose between a penniless lover and a rich-but-dull suitor. The highlight - especially for longtime Houston Ballet fans - should be the return of Phillip Broomhead to the stage in the role of the meddling Widow Simone. Broomhead, who started working with Ashton at 16 and says the choreographer was "instrumental in forming my style," retired as a dancer in 2004 but couldn't resist returning to a role that requires as much acting acumen as fancy footwork. Oh yeah - and there's a clog dance. 7:30 p.m. June 10, 12, 18 and 19; 2 p.m. June 13, 19 and 20. Wortham Center, 501 Texas. For information, call 713-227-2787 or visit www.houstonballet.org. $18 to $145.
Thu., June 10, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., June 12, 7:30 p.m.; Sun., June 13, 2 p.m.; Fri., June 18, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., June 19, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., June 20, 2 p.m., 2010