Los Angeles Ballet Makes Southern California Debut Led by Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary.World-Class Production of "The Nutcracker A software porting tool for converting Unix applications to Windows 95 and Windows NT originally from software development firm DataFocus, Inc., Fairfax, VA. When DataFocus merged with Mortice Kern Systems Inc. (www.mks.com) in 1999, the NutCRACKER product suite became MKS Toolkit for Enterprise Developers. This comprehensive set of Unix utilities has become a leading player in the interoperability marketplace of Unix to Windows migration." Opens Inaugural Season Followed by Exciting Spring and Summer Repertoires Guest Artists Include Paloma Herrera of American Ballet Theatre American Ballet Theatre, one of the foremost international dance companies of the 20th cent. It was founded in 1937 as the Mordkin Ballet and reorganized as the Ballet Theatre in 1940 under the direction of Lucia Chase and Rich Pleasant. It became the American Ballet Theatre in 1956. Its repertoire has included newly staged classical ballets and innovative modern dance works, many concerned with specifically American themes.; Artem Artem (ərtyôm`), city (1989 pop. 69,000), Maritime Territory (Primorsky Kray), Russian Far East. It is a coal-mining center and has an important thermoelectric station that utilizes local coal deposits. Shpilevsky of Bolshoi Ballet Bolshoi Ballet (bōl`shoi, bôl`–), one of the principal ballet companies of Russia; part of the Bolshoi Theater, which also includes Russia's premier opera company. The Bolshoi Ballet began as a dancing school for the Moscow Orphanage in 1773.; and Yvonne Borree, Nikolaj HE-bbe, Maria Kowroski, Nilas Martins and Benjamin Millepied of New York City Ballet Performances to Take Place Across Los Angeles, Including Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills, Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center and Alex Theatre, Glendale LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Ballet makes its exciting debut as the city's own professional ballet company led by world-renown artists Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary, as Artistic Directors. With 21 dancers hand-selected from the highest caliber schools and companies around the globe, Los Angeles Ballet will set a new standard for dance in Los Angeles and captivate a large and diverse audience by performing in venues across the city. Los Angeles Ballet's first season begins with "The Nutcracker" at the Wilshire Theatre Beverly Hills December 2-3, moving to Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center December 23-24 and culminating at Alex Theatre, Glendale, December 30-31. Benjamin Millepied and Maria Kowroski from New York City Ballet New York City Ballet, one of the foremost American dance companies of the 20th cent. It was founded by Lincoln Kirstein and George Balanchine as the Ballet Society in 1946. In 1948 the company took its present name and began regular performances at the New York City Center. It moved to the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in 1964. and Paloma Herrera from American Ballet Theatre will be featured guest artists. Nutcracker tickets are on sale immediately by calling 310-998-7782 or by visiting www.losangelesballet.org, with annual subscriptions available from $89.25 to $242.25. "We are thrilled to become part of the cultural landscape that makes up Los Angeles and are enthusiastically preparing for our Nutcracker season," said Christensen. "With a home-based professional ballet company, Los Angeles audiences and a new generation of dance enthusiasts can regularly experience world class dance and enjoy the company's exquisite dance productions designed expressly for Los Angeles." The creative tour de force behind Los Angeles Ballet is Christensen and Neary, a husband-and-wife team who have more than 50 years' combined professional experience in dance. Christensen danced with the Royal Danish Ballet Royal Danish Ballet, one of the oldest major ballet companies, established at the opening of Denmark's Royal Theater in Copenhagen in 1748. The company was developed over the centuries by three great masters. The first, Vincenzo Galeotti (1733–1816), who brought from Italy and France an international repertoire, led the company from 1775 until his death., New York City Ballet, Bejart's Ballet du Xxieme Siecle, and Pacific Northwest Ballet and was appointed artistic director of the Royal Danish Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet School in 1999. Neary performed with the prestigious New York City Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet. She was appointed First Ballet Mistress in Charge of Productions for the Royal Danish Ballet in 1999 and is also a "Repetiteur" for The George Balanchine TrustCoa special distinction that makes Neary one of the few in the world allowed to stage Balanchine ballets for professional companies. "We have an exciting repertoire ahead of us that reflects our artistic backgrounds and pays homage to some of world's greatest choreographers," added Neary. "The Nutcracker will be a special production for Southern California and act as a wonderful showcase for what we can achieve as a company." Los Angeles Ballet dancers have joined the Company from such esteemed dance institutions as Dance Theatre of Harlem Dance Theatre of Harlem, the first black classical ballet company. The group was founded in Harlem, New York City, by Arthur Mitchell, then of the New York City Ballet, the first black principal dancer of a classical company of international standing. The company began as a school for 30 students in the summer of 1968., Staatsballett Berlin, Louisville Ballet, New York City Ballet, Westside School of Ballet (Los Angeles), The Royal Ballet School, School of American Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Each of the 21 dancers brings his or her own artistic sensibility to the Company and will dance both principal and supporting roles throughout the season. The Company, a not-for-profit arts organization affiliated with the Westside School of Ballet, makes its professional home at the Malibu Performing Arts Center. Julie Whittaker is the Company's executive director. Los Angeles Ballet is a new organization and not affiliated with previous organizations of the same name. The Nutcracker Los Angeles Ballet's season debuts with "The Nutcracker" featuring original choreography by Christensen and Neary. Accompanied by a live orchestra, Los Angeles Ballet's production of The Nutcracker will have a distinct Southern California flair. The production follows the traditional story of Clara and her family welcoming guests to a party on Christmas Eve and the adventure which ensues. Created by Los Angeles designer Catherine Kanner, the setting is 1912 California in a classic Spanish style home with Mexican, Spanish and European influences. Throughout two acts the audience will be introduced to hints and tastes of Southern California. The sets create the feeling of being inside a children's book: a real place yet fantastical -- warm and inviting. Audiences will feel at home yet will soon learn to anticipate fresh variations on the traditional themes. Spring and Summer Programs The Company's spring and summer programs will feature guest artists Artem Shpilevsky of Bolshoi Ballet as well as Yvonne Borree, Nikolaj HE-bbe, Maria Kowroski, Nilas Martins from New York City Ballet. The spring program is entitled "New Beginnings" (Concerto Barocco, Duo Concertant, Napoli, Act III) based on the works of George Balanchine and August Bournonville, and in the summer the Company introduces its program with "An Evening with Balanchine" (Serenade, Apollo, Rubies). 2006-2007 INAUGURAL SEASON 2006/2007 SUBSCRIPTION SERIES(a) Ticket Information: 310-998-7782; http://www.losangelesballet.org [TABLE OMITTED] (a) Repertoire subject to change |
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