KINGS OF THE DANCE Make North American Premiere at Ahmanson Theatre, 2/16-2/17

The 2009-2010 season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center welcomes the North American Premiere of "Kings of the Dance" in which eight renowned dance virtuosos share the stage and bring their power, strength, grace, and beauty to master works by many of the art form's most important choreographers.

After a triumphant 10-city Russian tour in 2007-2008 that included sold-out performances in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Ardani Artists presents a new program that will include David Hallberg (USA), and Nikolay Tsiskaridze (Russia), as well as "new Kings" Marcelo Gomes (Brazil), Denis Matvienko (Ukraine), Guillaume Côté (Canada), Joaquin Deluz (Spain), and Jose Manuel Carreño (Cuba). This newly created program makes its North American debut at the Ahmanson Theatre, and includes a special appearance by Desmond Richardson.

The three-act performance will include choreography by Frederick Ashton, Leonid Jacobson, Nacho Duato, Roland Petit, David Fernandez, Adam Hougland, Boris Eifman, and Christopher Wheeldon.

The full cast of "Kings of the Dance" is as follows: Jose Manuel Carreño (Cuba, American Ballet Theatre), Guillaume Côté (Canada, National Ballet of Canada), Joaquin DeLuz (Spain, New York City Ballet), Marcelo Gomes (Brazil, American Ballet Theatre), David Hallberg (U.S., American Ballet Theatre), Denis Matvienko (Ukraine, Mariinsky Ballet of St. Petersburg/formerly the Kirov Ballet), Desmond Richardson (U.S., Complexions Contemporary Ballet), and Nikolay Tsiskaridze (Russia, Bolshoi Ballet).

Tickets for "Kings of the Dance" are available through Ticketmaster Phone Charge at (800) 982-2787, at all Ticketmaster Outlets and online at www.ticketmaster.com, and at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Box Office. For groups of 15 or more, call CTG Group Sales at (213) 972-7231. Artists and Program are subject to change.

The Music Center - Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County is one of the largest and most highly regarded performing arts centers in the United States. Every year, almost 2 million people visit its four main venues - Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and Walt Disney Concert Hall - along with its vibrant collection of outdoor theatres, plazas, and gardens. The Music Center produces a variety of programming including Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center, Active Arts at the Music Center, and The Blue Ribbon Presents Global Pop, along with programming for children and families throughout the year. The Center also provides extensive services and leadership in support of K-12 arts education, and offers tours of all four venues. The Music Center is home to four internationally acclaimed resident companies: Los Angeles Philharmonic, Center Theatre Group, LA Opera and Los Angeles Master Chorale.

Upcoming Engagements

2009-2010 season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Glenn Edgerton, Artistic Director
April 9-11, 2010
Ahmanson Theatre
Merce Cunningham Dance Company
Merce Cunningham, Choreographer and Artistic Director
World Premiere of reconstructed "Roaratorio"
June 4-6, 2010
Walt Disney Concert Hall
American Ballet Theatre
Kevin McKenzie, Artistic Director
"The Sleeping Beauty"
July 15 -18, 2010
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

Photo: Desmond Lament: Desmond Richardson (U.S., Complexions Contemporary Ballet). Credit Gene Schiavone.