Special to the Star-News

Andalusians familiar with the work of Elie Lazar, a frequent guest of the Andalusia Ballet, won't be surprised by the very different approach he's taking for a weekend of dance in his relatively new role as artistic director of the Montgomery Ballet.

On Feb. 8 and 9, an evening of premiers will be presented, featuring two ballets very different in style and mood. "Lost, the Story of Carmen", is a world premiere created specifically for this event by Lazar, the new Artistic Director. A local premier of "Jardin Annim/" from the full-length classical ballet "Le Corsaire" completes the evening's program. On Feb. 10, 2008, a matinee performance featuring "Sleeping Beauty," appealing to a younger audience and families will conclude the weekend long celebration at the Davis Theatre.

As a dancer, Lazar was the first Israeli to win a medal at the renowned International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss. He danced professionally with the Israel National Ballet, the Haifa Ballet, the New Jersey Ballet and made guest appearances with major companies around the world.

Before founding his own company, Lazar Ballet NYC, he directed the Joffrey Ensemble Dancers in New York City, organizing and training students from the Joffrey Ballet School. He also designed an educational program of lecture demonstrations to educate school children about the art of ballet, and implemented a dance program for inner city, at-risk youth in New York and New Jersey. His teaching commitments have included classes at Broadway Dance Center in New York City, New Jersey Ballet, East Carolina University, University of Kansas City, Tokyo City Ballet, and the Southeast Regional Ballet Association.

It is through his work with the Lazar Ballet that he has been a frequent guest teacher with the Andalusia Ballet.

"Lost, the Story of Carmen" is the third world premiere Lazar has choreographed for the Montgomery Ballet since his appointment in June 2007. Audience response to his recent version of "The Nutcracker" and his contemporary work, "How Far is 2 Far" (Performance on the Green) has been enthusiastic. "Lost" is a dramatic work adapted from the well-known story of "Carmen," to the familiar score by Georges Bizet. Ginny Smith, a strong soloist of classical repertoire and a former member of the Andalusia Ballet, will perform the lead role of "Carmen". Ian Morris, a frequent guest dancer in Andalusia, is cast in the role of "Don Jos/," which showcases his skills as a strong dancer and partner.

"Jardin Annim/" is an excerpt from "Le Corsaire," a story about pirates and princesses. The ballet received a great deal of acclaim when Rudolph Nureyev toured the world with Dame Margot Fonteyn. Today, many ballet companies are reviving the full ballet, originally choreographed by Marius Petipa. It is a wonderful example of pure classical style of the Russian school of dance, making it a perfect fit with the Montgomery Ballet's mission of maintaining a world-class repertoire.

Concluding this celebration, Montgomery Ballet will offer a special matinee performance of the famous fairytale ballet, "Sleeping Beauty", with the original choreography by Petipa. This enchanting ballet is a wonderful way to introduce children and young audiences to the graceful art of ballet.