Alexandra King Dance
presents
SERAGLIO
A FolkloricBallet
The Story of Seraglio
A Timeless Tale of Forbidden Love
Through the lens of the Aegean conflict, Seraglio explores themes of love, cultural divides, and the universal struggles of immigrants seeking to assimilate. Premiering in 1989 in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Ojai, California, and Salt Lake City, Seraglio is a three-act folkloric ballet about star-crossed lovers in early twentieth-century Istanbul. The story weaves together the poignant tale of a Turkish girl and a Greek boy who fall in love and, despite their cultural and class differences, decide to risk everything to be together. Yasmin is the youngest daughter of a wealthy Turkish family, and Minos is a poor Greek immigrant who seeks a better life in the city of Istanbul. When their forbidden relationship is discovered, they are forced to face the reality that their love and their lives are threatened.
Seraglio tells the age-old story of star-crossed lovers from a fresh perspective and in a new dance style - folk dance. Conceived, written, and largely choreographed by Alexandra King, Seraglio was successfully revived in March 2024 at the iconic Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara, CA., delivering a powerful performance and earning it resounding success to a sold-out show, a standing ovation, and fabulous media reviews.
Challenging the conventions of dance theater, Seraglio set a new precedent, bringing a folkloric masterpiece to life, blending the rich traditions of Greek and Turkish music and dance.
Featuring 40 dancers and actors, including a snake charmer performing with a live snake, Seraglio delivers a powerful performance with elaborate sets, stunning choreography, and a grand score blending the rich traditions of Greek and Turkish music and dance.
