Wuthering Heights, Emily Brontë’s literary masterpiece, is a passionate story of love and revenge boldly adapted into a ballet by Charlotte Ballet Associate Artistic Director Sasha Janes. Called “king of the pas de deux,” Janes has a reputation for creating ballets that leave the audience as breathless as the dancers. Charlotte Ballet premieres Wuthering Heights this April in Knight Theater.
Sasha’s mother, Jennifer Janes, is joining him to design the costumes for Wuthering Heights, which are sure to transport you right into the 1800s.
This won’t be the mother/son duo’s first collaboration. The pair has worked together on ballets before, including Dangerous Liaisons, Glass Houses and Carmen.
Wuthering Heights tells the story of the unfortunate lovers Heathcliff and Catherine who, despite a deep affection for one another, are forced to live apart by circumstance and prejudice. One of the most famous novels of all time, many are wondering how it will translate into a ballet.
“Many consider Wuthering Heights a story of romance, but it’s so dynamic,” said Janes. “Using ballet to tell the story of the complicated characters and themes is a unique but exciting challenge.”
Choreographer Sasha Janes in rehearsal for Charlotte Ballets Wuthering Heights. Photography by Jeff Cravotta
Wuthering Heights opens with a performance of contemporary choreographer Alonzo King’s MAP. Alonzo King LINES Ballet is an contemporary ballet company that has been guided by the unique artistic vision of Alonzo King since 1982. Charlotte Ballet is excited to perform MAP, the first ballet retiring Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux commissioned for the company 20 years ago.
Charlotte Ballet performing Alonzo King’s MAP. To bring it full circle, that’s Wuthering Heights choreographer Sasha Janes performing MAP as a Charlotte Ballet dancer.
