Ballet West is rolling out its 55th season. The line-up this season is spectacular with past season favorites, a beloved ballet, a holiday tradition and a Utah premiere.
This season starts with Jewels which runs November 2-10. I was in attendance when they first performed this number and when the curtain rose there was a gasp from the audience because the costumes were so stunning. Emeralds, Rubies and last but not least Diamonds all with their own flair and all sparkle like the jewels the dances are named after.
Joshua Jones, Associated Director of Press and Social Media says, “Last year, Ballet West unveiled new sets and costumes for William Christensen’s The Nutcracker. It was a phenomenal success in both critical reviews and record-breaking ticket sales. Originally created in 1944 for the San Francisco Ballet, Christensen’s The Nutcracker has had an unbroken run in Utah for 63 years. It is considered America’s first Nutcracker and is the longest running in the United States, possibly the world, and it remains a favorite Utah holiday tradition. This season, Ballet West takes the production back to The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., featuring the new sets and costumes.”
The Nutcracker runs December 1-29 and tickets will be available Sept. 25.
February brings the ballet that made me fall in love with ballet. As a young girl I remember watching The New York Ballet perform Swan Lake on the PBS with my Mom and from that moment I was hooked. This beloved ballet with the white and black swan “battle” is one of the world’s most beloved dance performances. Swan Lake runs February 8-23. Hint, Hint tickets to the Ballet make a perfect date for the month of love!
“A major Utah premiere will highlight the spring production, with the staging of John Cranko’s internationally renowned telling of the great Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin’s Onegin (April 5-13). “For many years I have dreamed of bringing Onegin to Utah,” said Creative Director Adam Sklute. “I consider this one of the great ballets of the 20th century. Cranko’s genius of storytelling and his brilliant pas de deux work shine in his deft handling of Pushkin’s heartbreaking verse-novel Eugene Onegin. This piece of dance-theater will have you on the edge of your seat.” Onegin first premiered at the Stuttgart Ballet in 1965, and the choreography includes a wide range of styles, including folk, modern, and ballroom.”
Because of renovations at the Capitol Theatre, Onegin will be staged at the new Eccles Theater on Main Street.”
Last for the 2018-19 season is the annual Choreographic Festival May 9-11 which is always a great way to close out the season. “We are featuring exciting creations by Ballet West artists and a world premiere from noted choreographer and Artistic Director of Ballet Met, Edwaard Liang. Liang’s work is sought-after worldwide and this will be his first for Ballet West,” Jones says.
A bonus to this season’s line-up is from Ballet West II where they will present Beauty and the Beast from October 26-27. If you are looking to find a way to introduce ballet to younger members of your family this is a great way to do it. This is a classic for both young and old.
“When I arrived in Salt Lake City 10 years ago I was honored to become part of a Company already known for a broad repertoire,” said Sklute. “My vision was to weave the great and storied history of Ballet West with a new, dynamic, and 21st century outlook.”
Sklute’s dream of molding Ballet West into one of the world’s most versatile ballet companies is on full display in the range of productions he will bring to the stage in the upcoming Season.
Single tickets are on sale now starting at just $24; season subscriptions are still available. Contact Ballet West at 801-869-6900 or visit www.balletwest.org.
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