Passion at play in “Prince of the Rain Realm”

“This ballet is all about what makes ‘Grimm’s Fairy Tales’ so wonderful, with a good prince versus a dark lord theme. If you like Tolkien’s ‘Ring,’ ‘Harry Potter,’ or even Wagner’s ‘Ring,’ you’ll love this fantastical production.”

While the first weekend in February may still seem aways away, it generally pays off to plan ahead.

And, with the return of La Danse De La Mer bounding ever-so steadily forward, there’s no better time than now to grab your calendar and set aside Feb. 7, it’s a Saturday, for one unique, extraordinary and beguiling evening of entertainment.

That’s the date that San Juan Island’s first professional contemporary ballet company will spring onto the San Juan Community Theatre main stage and into action to present its all-original adult fairy tale, entitled “Prince of the Rain Realm,” first in a three-part saga starring world-renown dancers Danny and Sylvain Boulet, ballerina Caitlin Ross and Lopez Island-based contemporary dancer Kerry Ratza.

Better yet, with Christmas Day just around the corner, think “stocking-stuffer” and strongly consider the purchase of a ticket or two as a treat for that special someone or dance enthusiast on your list. You won’t find entertainment like this anywhere for under twenty bucks, and it’s sure to be the talk of the town.

Here’s how La Danse De La Mar choreographer and director Lena Downes describes it: “This ballet is all about what makes ‘Grimm’s Fairy Tales’ so wonderful, with a good prince versus a dark lord theme. If you like Tolkien’s ‘Ring,’ ‘Harry Potter,’ or even Wagner’s ‘Ring,’ you’ll love this fantastical production.”

fdfdfssdUnlike other ballets commonly performed in the holiday season, Prince of the Rain Realm features “over-the-top” adult romance, a dazzling sword fight, music ranging from Pink Floyd to Mozart and, of course, provocative performances by some of the region’s most gifted dancers.

“This is not the Nutcracker,” says Downes, who choreographed the show along with assistant Michael Blue. “If you like wild, way out there, you’ll love this show.”

If James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” was set to dance, Rain Realm might just be it.

The troupe of La Danse De La Mer (The Dance of the Sea) are familiar faces in the Friday Harbor performing arts scene. The Rain Realm’s principal dancers, the brothers Boulet, Ross and Ratza last performed in Friday Harbor in February a year ago in the Downes-choreographed La Danse Et La Musique. The Rain Realm cast also features performances by Julie Hagan, Stephen Moore, Michelle and Ian Randall, Friday Harbor’s Joely Loucks, and Amani and Ferab Bakuy.

While Rain Realm has something for everyone, Downes cautions that the show does contain adult-themed scenes, and that parental guidance is suggested.

To top it all off, you can mingle with cast and crew at a post-performance party hosted by Tops’l, above Cask & Schooner Restaurant, after the show. Party-goers are encouraged to “dress up” in favorite costumes and bring props as well.

For more information and for ticket purchases, visit www.ladansedelamer.com, or San Juan Community Theatre website, www.sjctheatre.org.