Photo from Human Abstract by Sam English.

Louisville Ballet Announces The 2017/2018 Season

By Valerie Canon

Entire contents copyright © 2017 Valerie Canon. All rights reserved.

Louisville Ballet released it’s 2017-2018 season earlier this week and it looks incredible.

Somewhat unusually, the season opens with Studio Connections. This performance allows the audience a glimpse into the working home of the dancers and allows them to see the vastness of the company’s repertoire. It’s always an entertaining evening.

The second production of the year, Stravinsky!, will include Rubies, an excerpt from George Balanchine’s ballet, Jewels. This dynamic piece is brilliant and very stylized. It’s one of Balanchine’s finest and a shining example of his unique approach to choreography. Second up in the bill is Firebird. This will be a world premier by choreographer Lucas Jervies.  Jervies is sure to create a magnificent ballet if his choreography for the the February 2017 Human Abstract is any indication. 

Louisville’s Nutcracker is a holiday classic. A perennial “not to be missed” of the winter season.

Choreographer’s Showcase is the second in-studio performance of the season. It is an opportunity for dancers of the company to showcase their vision and craft. This years theme is “poetry, spoken word, and how literary arts and the performing arts can meet to create”.

The Beyond is a double bill with choreographers Stephen Baynes and Louisville Ballet’s resident choreographer, Adam Hougland.  Bayne’s Requiem, in the artist’s own words, is “a very benevolent, serene way of looking at the end of a life. It has a feeling of acceptance.” Adam Hougland is known for innovative choreography and the collaboration with Kentucky Opera for Project Faust is a work that promises another unique experience for Louisville audiences.

The season concludes with the classic Giselle. A ballet about devastating betrayal and a ghost ballerina is sure to give anyone the willies (wink wink). The white act of this ballet is stunning and beautiful. Giselle is a timeless ballet. A perfect closing to a wonderful season.

Louisville Ballet’s 2017-2018 line-up is stacked with brilliant choices from start to finish. It continues the potent mix of tradition and edgy contemporary that is fast becoming the hallmark of Robert Curran’s profile as Artistic Director.

“After a spectacular 65th Anniversary Season, I am excited to continue our commitment to the still-compelling heritage works and exciting new work,” says Robert Curran, Louisville Ballet Artistic & Executive Director. “I am also looking forward to welcoming our patrons into our home for a sensational Studio Season.  2017-2018 will truly be a season of enchantment.”

Louisville Ballet 2017-2018 Season

Studio Connections

September 28-30, 2017
Louisville Ballet Studios

As we move forward into the next 65 years of Louisville Ballet, come into the studios and witness selections of our vast repertoire. Join us in celebrating the richness of our history and the versatility of our dancers. Be inspired and enchanted – up close and personal!

Stravinsky!

November 10-11, 2017
Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center

Rubies

Choreography by George Balanchine

Firebird

Choreography by Lucas Jervies
Scenic and Costume Design by Elizabeth Gadsby
Lighting Design by Trad A Burns

Balanchine’s Rubies and a world-premiere Firebird, celebrating the incredible ballet music of Igor Stravinsky.

We present Rubies – the thrilling collaboration between Balanchine and Stravinsky – with its dynamic energy remaining as relevant and intense as its premiere 50 years ago. Lucas Jervies gives us his own bold Firebird, working with an international team of creatives to take this classic story and Stravinsky’s iconic music into a world of seduction, intrigue, and the abuse of power.

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker

December 9-23, 2017
Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center

Choreography by Val Caniparoli
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Scenic & Costume Designs by Peter Cazalet

Experience the magic of this beautiful Louisville holiday tradition!

Our uniquely Louisville telling of the classic story of Marie and her journey with her Nutcracker prince is a festive fairy tale for both the young and young at heart. Filled with magic, artistry and awe-inspiring sets and costumes, it will transport you to a wonderland where dreams come true!

Choreographers’ Showcase

January 23-27, 2018
Louisville Ballet Studios

Get an exclusive first look at new choreography created by and for Louisville Ballet artists. This program focuses on poetry, the spoken word and how the literary arts and the performing arts can meet to create. Join us for a thrilling performance featuring the craft and vision of our dancers and the wider Louisville arts community.

The Beyond

March 2 and 4, 2018
Whitney Hall, The Kentucky Center

Requiem
Choreography by Stephen Baynes
Scenic Design by Richard Roberts
Costume Design by Anna French

Project Faust
Directed by Sally Blackwood
Choreography by Adam Hougland
Scenic and Lighting Design by Trad A Burns

A Louisville Ballet + Kentucky Opera Co-Production

This exciting double bill between Louisville Ballet and the Kentucky Opera, joined by the Louisville Orchestra, brings a collaboration to the Whitney Hall stage like you’ve never seen before. It opens with Stephen Baynes’ Requiem, danced to the glorious choral music of Fauré, followed by a dramatic reimagining of Gounod’s opera, retitled Project Faust, brought to us by director Sally Blackwood and our very own resident choreographer, Adam Hougland.

Giselle

April 13-14, 2018   The Brown Theatre

Choreography by Robert Curran and Uwe Kern after Petipa
Music by Adolphe Adam
Scenic Design by Peter Cazalet
Costume Design by David Heuvel

The classic tale of love, betrayal, forgiveness and redemption.

Witness the budding love between Giselle and Albrecht, and then the heartbreaking betrayal that sends Giselle mad and to her grave. And swoon at the power of Giselle’s love, which allows her to forgive Albrecht and save him from his death at the hands of Myrtha, the Queen of the Wilis. One of the oldest continually performed productions, this ballet gem is a favorite that never disappoints, and brings to a close our 2017-2018 season.

2017-2018 SEASON TICKET PACKAGES Louisville Ballet offers an array of Season Ticket Packages to match your interests and your budget. This season’s options include the Ultimate Enchantment Package, a Story Ballet Trio, an Inspiration Package, an Innovation package, or Choreograph Your Own Package to fit you! Season Ticket Purchase 2017-2018 Season Ticket Packages online at louisvilleballet.org, by calling (502) 583-2623 or in-person at the Louisville Ballet box office located at 315 E. Main St. (9 AM – 5 PM, M – F). 2017-2018 Season single tickets will be available for purchase via The Kentucky Center for the Arts starting August 1, 2017.

 

valerie 3Valerie Canon is an actor, director, dancer, model, and choreographer based in the Greater Louisville area. Mrs. Canon received her BFA in ballet performance from Oklahoma University in 2004, and has performed in ballets around the country as a principal, soloist, and corps de ballet member. She recently directed Unhindered and Ungendered 2017: Once Upon A Spinning Wheel, for Wayward Actors Company in January 2017.