(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- In February, Roxey Ballet will present an evening of love and romance with its contemporary re-telling of Carmen.  Roxey Ballet’s Carmen is a sizzling production with a cast of 14 international artists performing in the electrifying one-act ballet, which is choreographed by company founder Mark Roxey. It will be presented from February 2-11 in the company's intimate, in-studio theater located in downtown Lambertville.

Carmen is a sensually vivid and passionate story of lust and treachery based on the fabled temptress of Seville. The story follows the downward spiral of Carmen after Prosper Merimee’s novel and George Bizet’s opera. Mark Roxey’s choreography and staging brings a highly contemporary ballet stylized in abstract décor, ideal for both dance lovers and audiences who have never been to a ballet before. 

Carmen has captured and scandalized audiences throughout the world since French Dancer Master Roland Petit first presented the 45-minute tale of seduction and betrayal at Prince’s Theatre in London in 1949. The central love duet for Carmen and Don Jose is said to be among the most sensual couplings ever to be put on the stage.

We are introduced to Don Jose, danced by Brandon McGuirk, a man distracted by the temptation of love from his mistress Carmen, danced by Chanmee Jeong, but is reminded of his commitment to his wife Michaela, danced by artist Nerea Barrondo. Carmen is a cigarette factory worker along with her five factory friends, danced by Christina Holl, Tuiana Balzheiv, Cydney Bronstein, Azusa Okamoto and Mill Ballet School up and coming star Hannah Copeland. Carmen has many admirers including Escamillo, a Toreador danced by Kaito Yamamoto, Zuniga, a captain danced by Fred Ocansey, Morales who is a soldier and smuggler, danced by George Berry and a cigarette factory man, danced by another Mill Ballet School up and coming teenager, Daniel Rocha. 

This rendition of Carmen follows a romance twist that creates depth in the vibrant characters, whose raw emotion is contagiously transmitted to the audiences that witness it.  Who will fall to the tragic consequences and who will survive? 

This evening of powerful dance will also include guest performances by Lisa Botalico, a world class flamenco dancer, and over 15 local, trainee dancers of the Roxey Ballet pre-professional training program in partnership with The Mill Ballet School of Lambertville, NJ.  

This production of Carmen will be presented from Friday, February 2nd through Sunday, February 11th.  Performances will be held at the up-close-and-personal Canal Studio Theater located in downtown Lambertville at 243 North Union Street, Lambertville, NJ 08530. Ticket prices range from $24 - $50.  Similar to all other in-studio performances of the Roxey Ballet this show is sure to sell out.  This moving ballet is ideal for those wanting to celebrate a special afternoon or night around Valentine’s Day.

Tickets are also on sale for Roxey Ballet’s spring gala performances of The Jungle Book Ballet- Mowgli, the latest installment of Children’s Classic Stories performed only by the Roxey Ballet.  For special discounts visit them on social media or go to www.roxeyballet.org.

Roxey Ballet is a world-class, all-inclusive contemporary ballet company that uses dance to build community and cultural bridges.  The 2017-18 season marks the 23^rd year of the Roxey Ballet Company, founded and directed by the talented and dedicated Mark and Melissa Roxey.  The Mill Ballet School is the official school of Roxey Ballet.

This production is choreographed and directed by Mark Roxey and features world-class costumes designed by Alicia Worden and Nilda Roxey, with lighting design by Jeffrey Goldstein. Complemented by an international star cast of professional performers, Roxey Ballet draws on the abundant youth from neighboring communities, including Lambertville, New Hope, Flemington, Hopewell, Titusville, Lawrenceville, Pennington, Ewing, and Princeton.