It is a very special time as the 2015-2016 season of the Miami City Ballet opens with a series of programs that are truly stunning! This of course being the company's 30th year anniversary only makes it all the more special. I am so excited to bring you the info on what you can expect this season, including a new version of George Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream......
The performance schedule is MCB’s most ambitious yet, with masterworks from the company’s strong George Balanchine foundation side-by-side with such leading modern choreographic voices as Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, Justin Peck and Liam Scarlett, all performed to live music provided by the distinguished Opus One Orchestra.
So without further delay, here is all the information on the upcoming performances as described by the Miami City Ballet:
Program One:
Program One opens the season with Swan Lake, George Balanchine's one-act version of the most famous of all ballets, set to Tchaikovsky's most dramatic an evocative score. This program also features the return of the audience favorite Viscera, a rhythmic and intensely physical work created on MCB by Liam Scarlett, widely considered to be England's most promising new choreographer; and Fancy Free, Jerome Robbins' and Leonard Bernstein's breakthrough World War II ballet - the story of three sailors making the most of their 24-hour shore leave in New York City, and the basis for the hit musical On The Town.
Program Two:
Program Two showcases three choreographic masters; George Balanchine, Peter Martins, and Twyla Tharp. Balanchine's La Source, set to Léo Delibes' exquisite musical score, enchants audiences with its re-creation of 19th Century French ballet elegance. Barber Violin Concerto is the company's first work by long-time Artistic Director of New York City Ballet, Peter Martins. This thrilling company premiere is set to Samuel Barber's romantic Violin Concerto, one of the most alluring and widely performed concertos of the 20th Century. And MCB is happy to celebrate Twyla Tharp's 50th anniversary as a choreographer by reprising her signature work In The Upper Room - a study of modern dance's power and energy juxtaposed with this finesse of the classical tradition, set to Philip Glass' driving postmodern score.
Program Three:
Program Three further broadens the horizons of MCB's dancers with two additional company
premieres including Justin Peck's breakout ballet Year of the Rabbit, choreographed to music from Sufjan Stevens' 2002 electronica-influenced album Enjoy Your Rabbit. The second premiere is one of Paul Taylor's masterpieces, Sunset, performed to the haunting music of Elgar and illustrating the complexities of love, camaraderie and separation experienced by six soldiers and the young women they leave behind. Closing this spirited program is Bourrée Fantasque acclaimed as one of Balanchine's most charming works. This is big, vibrant, joyful ballet is set to the sparkling music of Emmanuel Chabrier - C'est Magnifique!
Program Four:
Program Four brings MCB's landmark 30th anniversary season to a crescendo with an unprecedented new production of Balanchine's magical full-evening ballet, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Shakespeare's timeless tale of love, magic and iilusion, set to ravishing music by Felix Mendelssohn- including the famous Wedding March - is imagined as a reflection of the South Florida region by two international artists with ties to Miami: Michele Oka Doner for original costumes and sets, and playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney for dramatic direction.
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
A true Miami City Ballet tradition, The Nutcracker will be featured in all four venues with its magical holiday sets and perfect story that is perfect for the whole family. Performed to the magical music of Tchaikovsky, it is one of the best part of the holiday season!
With the season having begun at the end of October, you can get all information on the performances including tickets and showtimes on the MCB site: www.miamicityballet.org as well as your local box office of the four venues that work with MCB: Adrienne Arsht Center for the performing arts, Broward center for the performing arts, The Kravis Center for the performing arts and the Artis-Naples. I hope to hear your thoughts on the upcoming performances and I will review a couple of my favs, so stay tuned! Have a fabulous season.... Xoxo
