The Centennial State Ballet returns to the stage with a presentation of "The Magic Flute"

Presented in collaboration with the Longmont Museum, Centennial State Ballet’s, or CSB, fall showcase for the 2021-22 season is a performance of the Russian ballet, “The Magic Flute.” 

The ballet — not to be confused with the Mozart opera of the same name, “The Magic Flute” — is a tale of romance, comedy and the supernatural. Lise and Luc love each other, but Lise is destined to marry a hapless noble until Luc is gifted a magic flute that fills the world with dance.

“This has been really poignant to be back in an actual theater with a live audience,” said Laura Malpass, community coordinator for CSB. “For the company to be able to hear people in the audience clapping and cheering them on just changes what they are doing.”

CSB’s fall showcase marks the second live performance for the company since 2019’s “The Nutcracker.” The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forced the youth ballet company to pivot into live-streamed and pre recorded performances. Though the company performed outdoors at Roosevelt Park over the summer, “The Magic Flute” will be the first time CSB’s dancers perform on an indoor stage for a live audience in more than a year and a half.

“I’m so excited to be back in the theater. It's been awesome that we got the chance to continue to film through the pandemic, but it's amazing to actually perform in front of an audience again,” said company member Caroline Martin.

Martin has been a CSB company member for more than eight years, and her sentiments were echoed by other dancers, some of whom, including Hannah Freeman, haven’t performed on a stage since 2018.

“It’s amazing being back live,” Freeman said. “I feel like I’ve been waiting for this forever.”

Hannah Freeman will be joined by her father, David Freeman, who said the chance to volunteer to play the role of Oberon was an easy choice.

“I jumped at the opportunity to perform with my daughter,” Freeman said. “As a dad, I recognize it’s hard to get time with a teenage daughter and the artistic director promised no tights for the adults.”

Also filling a part is CSB Board President Mariah Sullivan who plays a judge in the performance, alongside one of her sons. Sullivan has held a few different roles in the company since its inception 10 years ago, and was grateful for the company to make a return to the stage.

“Please come and see our show. It’s going to be beautiful and we’re really excited to be back,” Sullivan said.

Tickets are available through the Longmont Museum, with reserved seating in the auditorium for Saturday night and Sunday afternoon performances. CSB’s Fall Showcase will also have tickets available to watch the performance remotely for those unable to make the in-person performance.