Colorado Ballet Announces 2017-18 Season

Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs announced the 2017-2018 season, which will feature technically-challenging classical ballets, innovative contemporary works and the 57th annual production of The Nutcracker.

Back by popular demand, Colorado Ballet will open the season with the crowd-favorite Dracula, October 6-15, 2017 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Dracula features choreography by Michael Pink and music by Philip Feeney, performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. Based on Bram Stoker's Gothic horror, Dracula features seductive vampires, frightening mental patients and the king of the undead himself, Count Dracula.

"The question I get asked the most is, 'When are you going to bring back Dracula?'" said Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs. "This spellbinding ballet continues to be one of our most Popular Productions because it features a beloved story told using exhilarating live music, grand sets, lavish costumes plenty of horrific excitement. These elements coupled with Pink's enthralling and sensual choreography makes audiences feel like they are part of the action. I encourage you to stock up on garlic and join us for this spine-tingling ballet!"

The season continues with the holiday classic The Nutcracker, November 25 through December 24, 2017 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The 57th annual production features timeless choreography paired with Tchaikovsky's extraordinary arrangement performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. In addition to being the largest production of The Nutcracker in the state, Colorado Ballet's 2016 production was named the best-loved Nutcracker in the U.S. in the 10th AnnuAl Goldstar National Nutcracker Award contest.

"Even after 56 seasons, Colorado Ballet's The Nutcracker continues to delight sold-out audiences year after year," said Boggs. "We have known for a long time how special our production is, but being named the best-loved Nutcracker in the U.S. right before the 2016 run ended proved what an amazing and enchanting holiday classic we have right here in Denver. Our performances sell out quickly, so I encourage patrons to buy their tickets early for this timeless story filled with tradition, humor and holiday magic."

In the spring, Colorado Ballet will present the Shakespearean love story Romeo and Juliet, February 16-25, 2018 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The romantic ballet features choreography by Derek Deane and music by Sergei Prokofiev, performed by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. Prokofiev's music serves as a melodic substitute for Shakespeare's poetry and Deane's staging of the ballet focuses on the characters' relationships.

"You cannot get any better than Romeo and Juliet because it combines extraordinary dancing, a phenomenal musical score and one of the most powerful love stories of all time," said Boggs. "This ballet demands exceptional levels of ballet technique, artistry and acting from the dancers. From the energetic crowd scenes to the famous balcony scene that transitions into a gorgeous pas de deux between the star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet will take your breath away."

Colorado Ballet will close out its season with a collection of ballets in Ballet Director's Choice, March 30-April 1, 2018 at the June Swaner Gates Concert Hall at the Newman Center for the Performing Arts. Ballet Director's Choice includes Pillar of Fire by choreographer Antony Tudor and music by Arnold Schoenberg, Brief Fling by choreographer Twyla Tharp with music by Michel Colombier and Percy Grainger, and a third work to be announced.

"This is the way to close out the season, with three amazing and challenging ballets that highlight what our dancers can do," said Boggs. "Performing works by Tudor and Tharp in one program will prove that our dancers are up to the challenge of dancing works by some of the best choreographers in the world. While this repertory will appeal to die-hard ballet fans, it will also appeal to people who are not as familiar with ballet because all of the works are unique and showcase different styles of music, costumes, storytelling and dance."

Colorado Ballet received a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) to perform Pillar of Fire. Colorado Ballet will be second U.S. ballet Company to perform this ballet, only American Ballet Theatre has performed it previously.

Season subscriptions are on sale now and single tickets will be on sale July 15. Visit www.coloradoballet.org for more information.

In addition to the season performances, Colorado Ballet will also perform at the Vail Dance Festival in the summer of 2017. For more information, visit www.vaildance.org.

About Colorado Ballet

Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 57 years of presenting world-class classical ballet and superior dance in Denver. Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet presents more than 50 performances annually. Colorado Ballet enhances the cultural life of Colorado through performances of the professional company, training at the Academy, and Education & Community Engagement programs. Visit www.coloradoballet.org.

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