Diablo Ballet Presents BALANCHINE AND BEYOND

Diablo Ballet opens the new year with the second program of its landmark 25th Season, Balanchine and Beyond, February 1-2, 2019, at the Del Valle Theatre in Walnut Creek. This program features three ballets including the classic masterpiece Apollo by George Balanchine.

Diablo Ballet will open the program with George Balanchine's masterpiece, Apollo, staged by Sandra Jennings, former ballerina with the New York City Ballet and stager of Balanchine ballets. The ballet premiered in 1928 at the Théâtre Sarah Bernhardt in Paris, the result of an extraordinary artistic collaboration between Balanchine, set designer André Bauchant, costume designer Coco Chanel and composer Igor Stravinsky. Apollo has been a part of Diablo Ballet's repertoire since 1998 and the company last performed the ballet in 2016 in which critics noted, "Not every company gets to perform a Balanchine work, and it speaks to the caliber of the company that they have had the privilege of presenting the entirety of what many consider his "neoclassical masterpiece."

The February program will also feature the lyrical From Another Time by Diablo Ballet alumna and choreographer, Tina Kay Bohnstedt which originally premiered in May 2013. Described as "a mysterious, absorbing glimpse into a dream world," the music was composed and will be performed live by Justin Levitt. Artistic Director, Lauren Jonas states, "I am thrilled to have work on our 25th Anniversary season by alumna Tina Kay Bohnstedt, whose contributions to Diablo Ballet as a dancer and choreographer have been immeasurable."

The final ballet featured in Balanchine and Beyond is the classical Paquita. The ballet is the creation of French composer Édouard Deldevez and Paris Opéra Ballet Master Joseph Mazilier and staged for the first time in Russia in 1847 for the Imperial Ballet of St. Petersburg by Marius Petipa. Paquita will be staged by Diablo Ballet's regisseur, Joanna Berman, former principal dancer with the San Francisco Ballet, and will feature the entire company in a bravura finale.

Immediately following each performance, ticket holders are invited to stay for a post-performance Q&A with our dancers, choreographers and musicians followed by a dessert and coffee reception where you can meet and mingle with the dancers.

Balanchine and Beyond performs February 1 at 8 pm and February 2 at 2 pm & 8 pm at the Del Valle Theatre, 1963 Tice Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek.

Subscription packages for the 2018-2019 season are available. Please visit www.diabloballet.org for information or to subscribe.

Single tickets are $15-$47. For tickets, call 925-943-SHOW (7469) or visit www.lesherartscenter.org. For more information, visit www.diabloballet.org.

Photo by: Aris Bernales