Kirov Ballet in Orange County

Konstantin Zverev, as Espada, commands the eye at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in a Kirov performance of “Don Quixote.” The company also is performing “Giselle” during its stay in Costa Mesa.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Stanislav Burov, as Sancho Panza, floats above a sea of hands in “Don Quixote” -- evidence that this work is about keeping an audience entertained. And though high art is often perceived as tainted when it entertains, reviewer Laura Bleiberg found that the Kirov approaches it with no such hang-ups.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Olesia Novikov brings a time-defying balance and a playful spirit to her portrayal of Kitri. “Don Quixote” is the working-class, comedic love story of Kitri, daughter of an innkeeper, and Basil the barber -- as well as an excuse for two hours and 40 minutes of bravura solos, pseudo-folk dances, cape twirling and more.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

The petite Novikov in her turn as Kitri. The production’s sets were restored by Mikhail Shishlianikov from originals by Alexander Golovin and Konstantin Korovin.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

The other half of the ballet’s frisky main couple, Leonid Sarafanov portrays Basil opposite Novikov’s Kitri. Reviewer Bleiberg noted that the ardent Sarafanov was unfazed by the demanding tasks required of him, even his one-armed overhead lifts of Novikov.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Sarafanov rises in a smooth-looking takeoff to the “Don Quixote” score by Ludwig Minkus, performed by the Kirov Orchestra under conductor Mikhail Sinkevich.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Sarafanov and Novikov perform a grand pas de deux.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)

Vladimir Ponomarev, as Don Quixote, dances opposite Valeria Martynuk as a perky Cupid figure.  (Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times)