Presented by ballet entrepreneur Dirk Badenhorst and directed by Joaquin de Luz of the New York City Ballet, a 5-performance season by Stars of American Ballet at Teatro, Montecasino, from 20 to 22 June will feature acclaimed dancers who have performed with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Boston Ballet and other distinguished American ballet companies.
In addition to highlights from major classics such asLe Corsaire, Don Quixote and Diana and Actaeon, the gala programme also showcases works never before performed in SA. Adding a spectacular stamp of American ballet distinction will be works by legendary choreographer George Balanchine, including his Broadway inspired classic, the Who Cares? Suite.
Led by New York-based dancer Joaquin de Luz, the SA debut by Stars of American Ballet on Friday 20 June at Teatro, Montecasino, marks the first time in over 30 years that a team of American ballet stars will bring their unique brand of classical ballet brilliance to the SA stage.
Commenting in New York on the historic upcoming SA visit, Joaquin de Luz said: “My fellow dancers and I are looking forward to our visit and the opportunity to dance for South African audiences under Dirk Badenhorst’s banner. We have assembled a group of outstanding American stars and a repertoire of classical ballet highlights that will show them at their best. We are also bringing some pieces that SA audiences have not had the opportunity to see as well as works by legendary choreographer George Balanchine. So it will be a blend of the new and the familiar that we know will thrill and enthral.”
Bryan Hill, General Manager of the Teatro, had this to say about the ballet season scheduled in the Teatro’s impressive line-up for 2014: “Principals and soloists from some of the major American ballet companies will take to a South African stage for the first time in over 30 years at the Teatro at Montecasino in June. All the productions we have hosted since our first opening night seven years ago have been exceptionally well supported; and we have no doubt that audiences will be equally enamoured with this showcase of unique American ballet stars. Montecasino sets the bar very high when it comes to its entertainment offering and the standard of this limited season will be no exception.”
Stars of American Ballet in SA follows an already distinguished line-up of previous presentations in which Dirk Badenhorst has brought some of the world’s finest dancers to SA.
FAST FACTS
What: Stars of American Ballet
Where: The Teatro at Montecasino, Johannesburg
When: Friday 20 June at 8pm; Saturday 21 June at 3pm & 8pm; Sunday 22 June at 11am & 3pm
Tickets: R150, R270, R370, R420
Booking: At Computicket / By phone 0861 915 8000 / Onlinewww.computicket.com.
