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Nevada Ballet Theatre Presents Season Opening at The Paris Théâtre: Dance Dance Dance! Oct. 29-30

Nevada Ballet Theatre (NBT) commemorates its 40th Anniversary season with an exciting fall opening performance, DANCE DANCE DANCE!, joining together NBT and Chicago’s famed contemporary dance company, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. This diverse program will be presented on Sat., Oct. 29 at 8 pm and Sun., Oct., 30 at 2 pm and includes works by George Balanchine, Jiri Kylián, James Canfield, Sharon Eyal and Gaï Behar.

The program opens with George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, with music by Johann Sebastian Bach (Concerto in D minor for Two Violins). Premiering in 1941, this ballet provides an inside look into Balanchine’s unique blending of music and movement. Dancers personify violins as they give life to the rhythms and emotions in Bach’s score. Characterized by swift, light jumps and clean arm movements, this ballet is staged by former New York City Ballet Soloist and Balanchine Trust Repetiteur, Sandra Jennings.

Hubbard Street takes the stage for the Las Vegas premiere of Too Beaucoup choreographed by Sharon Eyal with co-creator Gaï Behar and music by Ori Lichtik. Created for Hubbard Street in 2011, it is a sequel to Bill, a piece created for the Batsheva Dance Company in 2010 and inspired by video artist Bill Viola. Too Beaucoup aims to manipulate and replicate precise and robotic movement that offers a sense of watching a 3-D video. Because of this, music, costumes and lighting become just as important as the movement. Leading dance critic Hedy Weiss of the Chicago Sun-Times recently remarked of this work: ….”the overall impact — and sheer heat of the dancing — was undeniable.”

Cinq Gnossiennes, a powerful and moving contemporary ballet by James Canfield, consists of bold, yet fluid choreography. With live accompaniment, five dancers skillfully execute this unforgettable work that explores human relationships and loss.

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago performs the epic Petite Mort, also a Las Vegas premiere, choreographed by Jirí Kylián and set against two of Mozart’s most beloved piano concertos – Piano Concerto in A Major (Adagio) and Piano Concerto in C Major (Andante). This thought-provoking ballet features six women and six men and six fencing foils (small swords) – which create a symbolism more evident than a traditional story line. “There are so many small gestures and actions that ultimately turn out to be the most breathtaking moments,” said Hubbard Streetdancer, Kellie Epperheimer. Meaning “small death,” emotions play a significant role in this riveting ballet including energy, silence and vulnerability. It was first performed by Nederlands Dans Theatre in 1991 for the Salzburg Festival in honor of the second centenary of Mozart’s death.

“Both Glenn Edgerton (Artistic Director, Hubbard Street) and I share similar visions which were passed down to us by our mentors during our careers,” said James Canfield. “These inspirations bring us together again to present a program of artistic and technical depth for the community of Las Vegas.”

The program culminates on a high-spirited note with the return of James Canfield’s upbeat and lively ballet, UP. Debuting in 2002 by Oregon Ballet Theatre in honor of Richard Rodger’s 100th Birthday, this work encompasses seven distinct versions of Rodger and Hart’s popular ballad, “Blue Moon” – each one brought to life through Canfield’s inventive choreography. Artists range from the soulful sounds of jazz artist Billie Holiday, to the country and alternative rock sounds of The Cowboy Junkies.

THE PROGRAM

Concerto Barocco	Bach/Balanchine	Nevada Ballet Theatre
Too Beacoup	Lichtik/Eyal/Behar	Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Cinq Gnossiennes	Satie/Canfield	Nevada Ballet Theatre
Petite Mort	Mozart/Kylián	Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Up	Rogers/Hart/Canfield	Nevada Ballet Theatre

 

 

 

 

TICKET INFORMATION AND GROUP SALES
Tickets can be purchased for $29 and up (plus fees) by calling the Paris Théâtre Box Office at (702) 946-4567 or (877) 374-7469, online through www.nevadaballet.org or in person at the Paris Théâtre Box Office. Group sale pricing is available and can be purchased by calling Joel Mann at the Paris Théâtre at (702) 967-4938. The Paris Théâtre is located at Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Boulevard South.

ABOUT NEVADA BALLET THEATRE
Under the artistic direction of James Canfield, Nevada Ballet Theatre is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the largest professional ballet company and dance Academy in the state. Committed to the highest artistic standards, this classically-based company is at home in an eclectic repertory, moving easily from the classics to the high-energy contemporary ballets. The mission of Nevada Ballet Theatre is to educate and inspire statewide, regional and national audiences and vitally impact community life through professional company productions, dance training and education and outreach. Nevada Ballet Theatre will be a resident company of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in 2012.