Courage, Perseverance, and Trust: The Manjiro Story

Travel in time to 1841 as the New Bedford Youth Ballet performs “Courage, Perseverance, and Trust: The Manjiro Story,” for its annual spring fundraiser on Sunday, March 11. Choreographed by artistic director Rebecca Waskiel-Marchesseault, and set to traditional Japanese music, featuring Taiko Drum Ensemble, Joji Hirota and the Taiko Drummers, and Yamato Ensemble, this original historical ballet is based on the extraordinary life of Manjiro Nakahama. The first seating will be at 1:00 p.m. with a performance at 1:30 p.m., and the second seating will be at 2:30 p.m. with a performance at 3:00 p.m. The fundraiser is being held at the New Bedford Ballet Community Theatre, 2343 Purchase St. in New Bedford.

As a poor, uneducated, shipwrecked Japanese boy, Manjiro was rescued by the whaling ship John Howland and taken to Fairhaven, Massachusetts, by Captain William Whitfield, where he overcame significant cultural barriers while receiving a formal education. He later returned to Japan, and after receiving the honor of becoming a Shogun samurai, convinced the Japanese government to open trade with the U.S. The bond forged between the captain and the young boy continues today in the sister-city relationship between Fairhaven, Massachusetts, and Tosashimizu, Japan. Learn about this fascinating story in a narrated ballet wonderful for all ages.

All proceeds from this fundraiser will benefit New Bedford Ballet’s arts education and dance scholarship programs. There will be refreshments, including desserts and beverages. Local youth musicians will provide pre-show music.

Supported by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, the New Bedford Youth Ballet will also perform “Courage, Perseverance, and Trust: The Manjiro Story,” for elementary school children in New Bedford, Acushnet, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, and Marion, as well as evening shows at the Whaling Museum and for the PACE Head Start Program.

The New Bedford Youth Ballet is a company of the New Bedford Ballet Foundation, Inc. Established in 1987, the foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and present classical ballets, grant scholarships and educate the community about ballet. This production is sponsored by Colonial Shutterworks, Riccardi’s Restaurant, Sid Wainer & Son, and PACE Head Start.

Tickets cost $15 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and students and $7 for children.

For more information, call the New Bedford Ballet at 508-993-1387 or visit www.newbedfordballet.org.