Petrushka

First commissioned for the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Petrushka premiered in 2001 and tells the tragic love story of three puppets at a Russian carnival. Petrushka, the clown, falls in love with the winsome Ballerina at first sight. The conniving and rich Moor loves the Ballerina as well, and seduces her with beautiful things. She rejects the earnest advances of Petrushka, who, upset and lonely, confronts the Moor. Reality and magic are woven together by the deft hand of Basil Twist, against the backdrop of a specially created two-piano version of Stravinsky’s original ballet score. Nine hidden puppeteers use a combination of Czech and Japanese techniques to bring the puppets and Basil Twist’s vision to life.