Ballet Kelowna to Present THE NUTCRACKER, FORWARD & More During 2014-15 Season

Simone Orlando, Ballet Kelowna's newly appointed Artistic Director & CEO, proudly announces the Company's extraordinary 2014/15 Season in celebration of its long-awaited return to the stage. The versatile and dynamic company will perform a rich and varied programme of works with highlights including two world premieres - one each by Simone Orlando and former Royal Winnipeg Ballet dancer and award-winning choreographer Shawn Hounsell - an anticipated Canadian premiere, performed by New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Ashley Bouder and artists from the New York City Ballet; a Company premiere from internationally acclaimed choreographer James Kudelka; coupled with the introduction of Lee Dances - a presentation of excerpts from award-winning works created for the esteemed Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award.

"I am thrilled and excited to present such an incredible range of work for my inaugural season, showcasing the technical prowess and stunning artistry of our dancers," said Orlando. "We are not only privileged to work with some of Canada's leading choreographers, we also welcome some of the world's finest dancers to our stage - with the Canadian premiere of New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Ashley Bouder's ensemble, The Ashley Bouder Project. It promises to be a monumental season, one that will undoubtedly capture the imagination of our loyal supporters, while inspiring and engaging new, dedicated patrons. I am confident that Kelowna audiences will delight in the diverse and unforgettable performance experience we have on offer this season."

The 2014/15 Season will officially launch with the heart-warming holiday classic, The Nutcracker, December 12-14, 2014. Presented by the Canadian School of Ballet, audiences will enjoy a revitalized production with re-imagined scenes and new virtuosic choreography. Featuring the exquisite artistry of Ballet Kelowna's company of dancers, this enchanting masterpiece will capture the wonder of childhood fantasy, transporting audiences on a captivating adventure with Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and a host of other delightful characters. Danced to Tchaikovsky's timeless score, The Nutcracker remains a cherished seasonal tradition for the entire family.

Up next marks a historic event for Kelowna, BC, and what promises to be one of the hottest tickets in town. Ballet Kelowna will proudly present - for one-night only - the Canadian premiere of The Ashley Bouder Project, March 3, 2015, featuring the dramatic power and astonishing athleticism of some of the world's greatest dancers and choreographers. Ashley Bouder, principal dancer with The New York City Ballet, alongside an elite ensemble of NYCB's finest artists, will present a performance experience of the highest caliber. The explosive first act, An Exposé on Ballet Style, promises the grand classical and neoclassical works by ballet legends Marius Petipa and George Balanchine - including excerpts from Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Agon and the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. The second act boasts the anticipated Canadian premiere of Rouge et Noir, choreographed by Kelowna's-own Joshua Beamish, artistic director of MOVE: the company, with music from Shostakovich and costumes by American fashion designer B Michael.

"The Ashley Bouder Project is delighted to be a part of Simone Orlando's inaugural season as Artistic Director & CEO of Ballet Kelowna," said Bouder. "We share her forward-thinking vision of what the potential of ballet has to offer as an art form and the importance of dance in the greater community. We are thrilled to be making our Canadian debut for Kelowna audiences, bringing beloved classical repertory, popular Balanchine works, and presenting the Canadian premiere of Rouge et Noir - a ground-breaking post-neoclassical work choreographed by Joshua Beamish."

The season closes with the unveiling of Forward: A Mixed Repertory Programme, April 24, 2015, featuring three premieres by some of Canada's leading contemporary ballet choreographers, coupled with the introduction of Lee Dances - a presentation of excerpts from award-winning works created for the esteemed Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award. The program will open with the Company premiere of James Kudelka's Byrd Music, showcasing the acclaimed choreographer's distinct balletic voice. Rich in technical inventiveness and thrilling grandeur, Kudelka's signature mix of ingenious ballet partnering and lyrical interplay will be on full display. Former Royal Winnipeg Ballet dancer and award-winning choreographer Shawn Hounsell and Ballet Kelowna's Artistic Director, Simone Orlando, will each create new work, highlighting the electrifying artistry and physicality of Ballet Kelowna's masterly dancers.

The 2014/15 Season will also see the Company present Launch - a special, one-hour informal Open House performance, November 7, 2014 at 7pm, at the Rotary Centre for the Arts. Hosted by the Ballet Kelowna Board of Directors and Orlando, this intimate evening will not only introduce Company supporters to the dancers of Ballet Kelowna, attendees will be treated to a sneak preview of some of the work from the season, as well as enjoy an exhilarating, up-close-and-personal display of the choreographic process, led by Orlando. Entry is free, with a suggested donation of $15.

Ballet Kelowna's 2014/15 Season

THE NUTCRACKER
New Staging by Carley Bailey and Regeanna Stubel
Music: Pyotr IIyich Tchaikovsky
Dec. 12, 2014 @ 7:30pm
Dec. 13, 2014 @ 2pm & 7:30pm
Dec. 14, 2014 @ 2pm

THE ASHLEY BOUDER PROJECT
Featuring artists from the New York City Ballet
Choreography: Marius Petipa, George Balanchine, Joshua Beamish
Music: Pyotr IIyich Tchaikovsky, Ludwig Minkus, Igor Stravinsky, Dmitri Shostakovitch
March 3, 2015 @ 7:30pm
Canadian Premiere

FORWARD: A MIXED REPERTORY PROGRAMME
Choreography: James Kudelka, Shawn Hounsell, Simone Orlando
Music: Rodney Sharman, Maurice Ravel, Franz Schubert, and others
With the introduction of Lee Dances
Excerpts from:
Shawn Hounsell's Creaturehood (1996)
Simone Orlando's Winter Journey (2006)
Heather Myers' Dedications (2009)
April 24, 2015 @ 7:30pm
Two World Premieres and a Company Premiere

SEASON TICKETS GO ON SALE OCTOBER 6, 2014 and can be purchased online at balletkelowna.ca, by phone at 250.862.2867 or in person at 1397 Ellis Street, Kelowna Actors Studio Box Office. Subscribe to all three ballets for: Adult - $122, Senior/Student - $107, Child (12 and under) $69. Senior is 65+, Students must present valid ID at box office, Child must be 12 years of age or under. All prices include service charges and fees. GST not included. Single Tickets go on sale November 1, 2014

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