Ballet dancers bring out dramatic side

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

•	Hawai'i State Ballet 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday Mamiya Theatre, St. Louis School $18 general, $16 seniors and children under 12 947-2755

John Landovsky, director of HSB, said that his 16-member Junior Company, composed of serious dance pupils likely to emerge in rosters of top ballet companies abroad, will take a dramatic turn with "Giselle — Act II" and "Hamlet" in a pair of concerts Saturday and Sunday at Mamiya Theatre, St. Louis School.

"This is one of our big ones," he said of the program. Not only in rehearsal time, but in terms of showcasing performers who likely will be names to watch for in the future.

He said Amanda Schull, one of his most distinguished graduates, typifies the scope of Junior Company achievements. Schull, who studied ballet with Landovsky, is in the ensemble of the San Francisco Ballet but two years ago had a starring role in "Center Stage," a Sony/Columbia film about the rigors and dreams of aspiring dancers.

For Shakespeare's "Hamlet," Landovsky has chosen Ryan Camou for the title role.

"This will be my vision of this dramatic piece," said Landovsky, who also has cast Jason Domingo as the king, Kamakua Page as the queen, Jennifer Rowe as Ophelia and Randy Howard as the Ghost.

For "Giselle," the featured ballerina will be Carrie Siko, with the entire Junior Company also involved.

Landovsky's alumni now dance with such eminent American companies as the Joffrey Ballet, the Boston Ballet, the Richmond Ballet and the Nevada Dance Theatre.

"These are the dancers that want to move on to professional dance, who will go to college, some on scholarships," he said.

The program also will include the Tchaikovsky "Serenade."