116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Organizers taking precautions for Russian Ballet Theatre’s Sunday performance in Cedar Rapids
Police will be at Paramount Theatre ‘to assist with any disruptions’
CEDAR RAPIDS — More than 1,000 tickets have been sold for the Russian Ballet Theatre’s performance of “Swan Lake” on Sunday evening at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Cedar Rapids.
Michael Silva, executive director of VenuWorks of Cedar Rapids, said via email that he is “not aware of any mass refund requests” in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As a precaution against any backlash or protests, he said Cedar Rapids police will be on hand for the performance, “to assist with any disruptions out of the ordinary.”
“This troupe has recently played the theaters in both Davenport and Dubuque, and we are hearing that the performance was beautiful and the messages about peace have been well received by the public,” he added.
If you go
What: RBT Theatre presents “Swan Lake”
Where: Paramount Theatre, 123 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids
When: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 6, 2022
Tickets: $29 to $89, Paramount Box Office, creventslive.com/events/2021/swan-lake
Troupe’s website: russianballettheatre.com
Early Thursday, the ballet troupe announced on Facebook it is changing its name to RBT Theatre "for the remaining shows on tour in solidarity for our friends, family members and all those in pain and fear caused by decisions of a small group of monsters.
“Let’s not allow them to destroy a beautiful world and culture created by millions of brave and kind, smart and caring people of the world.
“We Dance for Peace. We stand with Ukraine.”
Founded in 2015, the independent, self-financed company features a multinational cast. A photo posted on Facebook identifies dancers from Armenia, Belarus, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Russia, Slovenia and Ukraine.
“We were born and raised in different countries. Ballet is our passion and profession,” another Facebook post stated. “It brings us together on one stage.”
“Russian” in the troupe’s name refers to the Vaganova technique, a classical Russian style in which the dancers are trained.
On Feb. 24, the day Russia invade Ukraine, the company posted on Facebook:
“Tonight’s show at the Carolina Theatre in Durham was very emotional for many reasons. It is hard to dance with tears on our eyes.
“We are grateful to Carolina Theatre, and the people of Durham for the support and spreading the message.“
RBT Theatre previously brought “Swan Lake” to the Paramount Theatre in 2019. The current U.S. tour began in early February and continues through early April, crisscrossing the country.
Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com
Russian Ballet Theatre, now known as RBT Theatre, is bringing the U.S. tour of the classic fairy tale "Swan Lake" to the Paramount Theatre in downtown Cedar Rapids on Sunday night. (RBT Theatre)
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