From Whimsy to Wings: Victoria Ballet Theatre ignites the stage with “Seuss & Stravinsky”
Published 9:30 am Monday, March 9, 2026
Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts was transformed this weekend into a realm where the fantastical meets the formidable. Victoria Ballet Theatre’s latest double bill, “Seuss & Stravinsky”, offered Crossroads audiences a rare journey: beginning in the colorful, nonsensical neighborhoods of Dr. Seuss and ending in the fiery, high-stakes battle of a Slavic fairy tale.
The afternoon began with the “Seuss Suite”, a dreamy and imaginative children’s ballet choreographed by Pearl Wamsley. The production brought beloved classics like Green Eggs and Ham, Cat in the Hat, and the Sneetches to life through fluid, playful movement. For the families in the audience, it was more than just a dance – it was an entry point into the arts. The choreography captured the fun and collaborative spirit Victoria Ballet Theatre is known for, proving that technical precision of ballet can perfectly mirror the bouncy, rhythmic prose of Theodor Geisel.
“For all the years Victoria Ballet Theatre has been alive with the symphony, the BACH Festival, the museums – all of it has provided a lot of arts and culture for this community,” Brenda Tally, Victoria Ballet Theatre Executive Artistic Director said. “We are excited to keep providing that culture at very low cost or free of charge. Art and culture is our way of sharing stories and getting to know each other. I always think it’s the answer to world peace because it’s how people can go into a really safe space.”
As the whimsical colors of the Seuss Suite faded, the atmosphere shifted toward the dramatic and the poignant. The second half featured the world premiere of “Firebird”, reimagined through a contemporary lens by guest choreographer Mauro Villanueva.
Set to Igor Stravinsky’s legendary score, this performance was a masterclass in storytelling. The narrative followed a Prince and a mythical Phoenix – the Firebird – as they joined forces to vanquish an evil wizard and rescue a captive princess.
“What I love about his [Mauro’s] interpretation of this ballet is that there are main characters, but it’s a real ensemble piece, the whole ensemble dances together a lot,” Tally said. “The dancers have had an opportunity to really learn to work together and that’s what the arts are all about: collaboration.”
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Loading ...What made this “Firebird” truly resonate was the seamless collaboration between local Crossroads talent and professional guest artists. The chemistry on stage elevated the performance from a local recital to a professional-grade spectacle, emphasizing the fire and grace required to fight for a world rid of evil.
“Everything we learn every day in the studio applies to life,” Tally said. “We are trying to provide training and opportunity for these kids to build their creative thinking and ability to work as a team to succeed.”
This double bill served as the cornerstone of VBT’s 2025-2026 season, supported by the Albert & Mary Dick Charitable Trust. By pairing the accessibility of Seuss with the technical depth of Stravinsky, the company continues to foster a deep-seated love for dance in Victoria.
“I hope the audience thinks about it after they leave,” Tally said. “I hope they take something with them that either sparks another idea or a chuckle or an inspiration. We have been able to elevate the training, the talent, and the production quality every time we do a show thanks to the support of the community.”
As the final curtain fell on the Firebird’s triumphant flight, and the ensemble took their final bow, the message was clear: whether it’s through the eyes of a child reading a picture book or the wings of a phoenix, the arts in Victoria are burning brighter than ever.
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