The Once and Future Queen honors the heroines of Purim and explores how Vashti and Esther’s bravery, grace, and grit can be applied to our youth today. Purim is a joyous Jewish Holiday that celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from annihilation in Persia. The traditional story follows Queens Vashti and Esther on their journeys to make the right but difficult choice. The Once and Future Queen challenges the widespread endemic of cyberbullying among our youth and empowers our community to take a stand when they see wrongdoing in their lives and in those around them. Reshaping the way we tell stories on stage through dance, the ballet dives into how bullying affects the young minds of children and calls for the necessary support and resources that must be made available to combat cyberbullying.
The Once and Future Queen is choreographed by Ho-Shia Thao, Marika Brussel and Jessica Whitehorne for the Dance School of JCC Mid-Westchester with original music by Mahlon Berv. Performed by students from the JCCMW's youth and adult divisions with professional dancers from Hudson Ballet Theatre.