KC Ballet Presents “Lady of the Camellias” Feb. 15-24 at Kauffman Center

Set to Frédéric Chopin’s romantic score, Alexandre Dumas’ love story makes its triumphant Kansas City premiere. The story inspired popular adaptations including Baz Luhrman’s movie Moulin Rouge! and Verdi’s opera La Traviata.

Kansas City Ballet Dancers, Emily Mistretta and Lamin Pereira dos Santos are thrilled to debut as the ravishing courtesan, Marguerite, and Armand, the young countryman, in Val Caniparoli’s Lady of the Camellias Feb. 15-24, 2019 at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Dancers Emily Mistretta and Lamin Pereira dos Santos | Photography by Kenny Johnson

ARMAND, DANCED BY LAMIN PEREIRA DOS SANTOS

“As part of my physical training for this role, I am at the gym at 6:00 a.m. for a workout designed to improve my strength and stamina. When the show opens, I’ll perform a 10-minute pas de deux with lots of lifts, so I have added more to my routine in the gym to prepare. A lot of times people don’t realize what it takes to be a male ballet dancer and make everything look graceful, effortless and lift ballerinas over our heads,” Lamin said.

MARGUERITE, DANCED BY EMILY MISTRETTA

Emily shared, “I was so excited when I heard I was being considered for the role of Marguerite. I performed in Val Caniparoli’s Lady of the Camellias when I was still dancing with Boston Ballet and fell in love with the ballet and especially her character. I would watch every night from the wings the end scene of Marguerite in her room alone. It’s so transporting.”