According to Fote, working on Marie has been a wild emotional ride for everyone involved. Dancing the role of Marie is especially exhausting, both physically and emotionally. The story follows Marie from age 15 to 37, showing the extreme ups and downs of her personal life, including her loveless marriage and her strained relationship with a vicious royal court. One especially harrowing scene is the death of one of Maries confidants. Theres something we call the rape scene, says Fote. Its something we dont like to watch in rehearsal. Its quite full-on. In the scene Maries friend is gang raped, then beheaded, after which her head is impaled on a stick and paraded outside Maries prison window. She saw her friends head on a stick. That makes my stomach roll, turn inside out. 7:30 p.m. February 24 and 26, March 4 and 5; 2 p.m. February 27 and March 6. Wortham Center, 501 Texas. For information, call 713-227-2787 or visit www.houstonballet.org. $18 to $168.
Fridays-Sundays. Starts: Feb. 25. Continues through March 6, 2011