This past weekend, The National Ballet of Canada welcomed its newest masterpiece to the stage: Le Petit Prince. Based on the famous novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a French writer and aviator, the story is transformed into gorgeous movements choreographed by the NBC’s principal dancer and choreographic associate Guillaume Côté.
As the story goes, a little prince leaves his homeland of an asteroid to explore other planets after a falling out with his love, a rose. Along the way, he encounters a snake and a fox (among other strange characters) and becomes good pals with a stranded aviator (who is the narrator of the book). The prince’s sweet, child-like perceptions enchant not only the aviator, but the generations of readers—and now spectators—who have been captivated by the story since its release in 1943. You likely already know the ending, but for those who don’t, we won’t spoil it here! We will, however, give you a glimpse behind the scenes from the show’s dress rehearsal. Though Le Petit Prince is only on until June 12—tears—here’s to hoping there’s an encore.
Browse the gallery below for a behind-the-scenes look at Le Petit Prince.
Photo by Bruce Zinger, courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
Photo by Bruce Zinger, courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
Photo by Bruce Zinger, courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
Photo by Bruce Zinger, courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada
Photo by Bruce Zinger, courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
Photo by Bruce Zinger, courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
Photo by Bruce Zinger, courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
Photo by Bruce Zinger, courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
Photo by Bruce Zinger, courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
Photo by Bruce Zinger, courtesy of The National Ballet of Canada.
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Chelsy Meiss nails a tricky move in practice for Le Petit Prince.
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Giorgio Galli in full makeup, and wig, backstage at Le Petit Prince.
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Hannah Fischer perfects her cat-eye for Le Petit Prince.
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Dylan Tedaldi getting ready for his debut as the Prince.
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Miyoko Koyasu, playing a Wild Bird.
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Choreographer Guillaume Côté directing Tanya Howard, who plays the Rose.
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A Wild Bird laces up before rehearsal.
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Ballet buns are traded for wigs—sometimes.
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The Wild Bird costume, backstage at Le Petit Prince.
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The Wild Birds take flight—sort of—in the rehearsal space of Le Petit Prince.
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Sonia Rodriguez, who plays The Fox, warms up backstage at Le Petit Prince.