Boston Ballet Presents 'Night of Stars on Boston Common' Tonight

On the heels of a critically acclaimed tour to London, Boston Ballet returns home to kick off the 50th season with Night of Stars on Boston Common, a massive free performance for the greater Boston community. Admirals Bank is the Presenting Sponsor for this sensational one-night-only event taking place tonight, September 21 at 7:00pm.

Thousands of Bostonians are expected to attend this immense exhibition set on the largest stage ever built on Boston Common. The evening will feature over two hours of performance, showcasing the diverse repertoire and versatile talent that are the hallmarks of today's Boston Ballet. The full Boston Ballet Orchestra joins the Company on the Common for this memorable event, led by Maestro Jonathan McPhee. The setup on the Common includes three 10 by 17 foot jumbotron screens that will magnify the performances on stage and entertain the audience with exciting pre and post-performance videos.

As part of the evening's stunning repertoire, Boston Ballet will present the world premiere of a new work created by a highly-acclaimed choreographer in honor of Night of Stars and the 50th season. In addition, the company will perform a wide range of 9 works from exciting classics like Don Quixote, to George Balanchine's romantic Serenade and audience favorites like Christopher Bruce's Rooster, set to the music of The Rolling Stones. Make history with Boston Ballet as the Company celebrates a tremendous 50th season and bright future beyond.

Boston Ballet's internationally acclaimed performances of classical, neo-classical, and contemporary ballets, combined with a dedication to world class dance education and community outreach programs have made the institution a leader in its field, with a 50 year history of promoting excellence and access to dance. In addition to the brilliant programming for the 2013-2014 season, Boston Ballet will celebrate its 50th anniversary by launching a micro-site featuring 50 years of Boston Ballet in photos. Throughout the duration of the season, a limited edition souvenir program featuring never-before-seen Company photography will be sold. As an exciting new initiative, Boston Ballet will be reaching out to Company dancers of the past 50 years for an alumni weekend celebration March 14-16, 2014.

Boston Ballet maintains a diverse repertoire, ranging from timeless classics such as Marius Petipa's The Sleeping Beauty and Giselle, John Cranko's Romeo and Juliet, and a rich collection of Balanchine choreography to cutting edge contemporary works by Resident Choreographer Jorma Elo and the visionary Ji?í Kylián.

Boston Ballet School, the official school of Boston Ballet, has a long-standing dedication to excellence and access. The School reaches more than 10,000 students (toddler to adult) each year through Boston Ballet School classes, the Summer Dance Workshop, and the Summer Dance Program held at three studio locations in Boston, Newton, and Marblehead.

Boston Ballet's nationally-acclaimed education programs include Citydance, Taking Steps, and Adaptive Dance. The programs are offered in partnership with the Boston Public Schools and in communities throughout the city and region.

Read more about Boston Ballet's 50th Season by visiting our website, at www.bostonballet.org .