Miami City Ballet’s 30th anniversary season, which opens in October, is its most ambitious yet with masterworks from the company’s 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.
Barber Violin Concerto in Program Two (Photo by Alberto Oviedo)
The season adds four major works to the company repertory, including an unprecedented new production of George Balanchine’s enchanting full-evening A Midsummer Night’s Dream, re-imagined as a reflection of the South Florida region by two international artists with ties to Miami.
MCB also announced a national tour with stops in New York, Chicago and Minneapolis.
“The ability to sustain high-quality art over thirty years while becoming an integral part of one’s home communities is a huge accomplishment, and one that we’re very proud of. While we revere our past, and our programming reflects this, we are also determined to take risks in order to share an abundance of exciting new works with excited new audiences," says MCB's artistic director Lourdes Lopez.
Regarding the announcement of the tour, MCB Executive Director Michael Scolamiero says, “We look forward to presenting many of our signature works in some of the nation’s most prestigious venues, giving audiences in these cities the opportunity to see, first-hand, the excitement we are creating throughout North America this season.” MCB’s full tour schedule will be announced in detail this spring.
Twyla Tharp's In the Upper Room in Program Two
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 and 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 the 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 Edward 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 big, vibrant, joyful ballet is set to the sparkling music of Emmanuel Chabrier – C’est Magnifique!
The acquisition of Year of the Rabbit is made possible by a contribution from the Ansin Foundation in honor of the 75th birthday of Miami City Ballet Founder Toby Lerner Ansin and in celebration of Miami City Ballet’s 30th anniversary season.
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 illusion, set to ravishing music by Felix Mendelssohn – including the famous Wedding March is re-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.
With a fairytale cast that includes 24 children and six vocalists, magical new sets and costumes, and the breathtaking Miami City Ballet dancers, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a dazzling spectacle for families and audiences of all ages.
"A Midsummer Night’s Dream is perhaps the most brilliant narrative ballet of the 20th century and an additional gratification for us: the central role of Oberon was created on our Founding Artistic Director, Edward Villella. To present a reframing of this work is a perfect example of Miami City Ballet, a company steeped in tradition, with our eyes on the future," says Lopez.
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker returns in December to all four of MCB’s home venues, Miami, West Palm Beach, Naples and Fort Lauderdale. Miami City Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker has become a beloved tradition throughout South Florida, and is the perfect holiday treat for the entire family, featuring a winter wonderland of dancing snowflakes, sugar plum fairies and epic battles between heroic toy soldiers and mischievous mice.
And ring in the holiday season with Nutcracker Magic, a fun-filled children’s gala for the entire family taking place Dec. 19 at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, and Dec. 28 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach. Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling 305.929.7000, ext. 1506.
Sponsorship opportunities are available by calling 305.929.7000, ext. 1506.
Subscriptions for the 30th anniversary season are available now, starting at $36. Single tickets go on sale in July, starting at just $20. Programs may be subject to change. Call 305.929.7010, toll-free 877.929.7010 or visit miamicityballet.org.
