Walking up the steps to a Middleton ballet studio, young ballerinas can be heard chattering about their upcoming weekend as they put on pointe shoes and lace up in practice skirts before rehearsal.
“Girls are you ready? Shoes and skirts? The music is on,” said Marguerite (Molly) Luksik, artistic director of Central Midwest Ballet Academy.
Here, above Hurts Donut Company, Central Midwest Ballet Academy students rehearse for their upcoming production, “Pineapple Poll.” The show runs August 17-18 in the Mitby Theater at Madison College.
It's half of a Gilbert and Sullivan program with the Madison Savoyards, who perform “Trial By Jury.” It is the first time these two groups will share the stage to perform Gilbert and Sullivan.
“Pineapple Poll” is a short comic ballet set in Portsmouth, England that follows the main character Pineapple in her quest to win the attention and love of the captain. He even dresses up as a sailor to get close to the Captain. The Captain is in love with Blanche, while another sailor, Jasper, makes pine cones for Pineapple.
Ballerinas from the academy performing in “Pineapple Poll” are excited about the show because of the comedic twists.
“I love how fun it is because a lot of ballet can be so serious,” said Lillian Thompson, 16, who dances the role of Pineapple. “It really brings out the lightheartedness and joy I feel when I dance. I like to share it with the public.”
Lilly Thompson, 16, rehearses for “Pineapple Poll” at Central Midwest Ballet in Middleton. He plays the title character.
“I really like history. I think it's interesting while also being funny,” said Mary Konz, who plays Aunt Dimple in the show.
The other half of the show, “Trial by Jury,” is an operetta set in a courtroom. Angelina sues Edwin for breaking his promise to marry her.
J. Adam Shelton directs the show for the Savoyards, which features soprano Megan McCarthy as Angelina, the plaintiff, and tenor Thore Dosdall as Edwin, the defendant. Conductor will be Sergei Pavlov from Edgewood College.
The Madison Savoyards have presented complete Gilbert and Sullivan productions every summer since 1963. This is their first year partnering with the Central Midwest Ballet Academy.
“The Madison Savoyards have been trying to make this happen for a while,” Luksik said. “They had some board members who were really interested in doing this show because the 'Pineapple Poll' is done so rarely.
“It was only the third company to do it in the country because it's not a common project.”
The nonprofit Central Midwest Ballet Academy has been open for nearly four years, helping young dancers pursue their dreams. The academy offers a wide variety of options, including open summer classes where dancers ages 11 and up are taught by an intermediate level faculty member.
As for “Pineapple Poll,” Luksik says audiences can expect high energy from both acts.
“It's hilarious comedy, super energetic,” he said. “And because each act is a different story, comedies can be high-energy and very happy. It doesn't have to have a two-act plot.”
