Nashville Ballet Sets Shakespeare's MACBETH to Dance, Now thru 5/18

Nashville Ballet stages Shakespeare's tragedy about betrayal, greed, power and consequences in an intimate, workshop-style version of Macbeth at The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet with live music from ALIAS Chamber Ensemble, tonight, May 16 - 18.

This collaboration between Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling and ALIAS Chamber Ensemble explores the primitive elements of basic human nature that motivate Macbeth and his desire to win at all costs - even at the risk of losing his sanity, his life and the lives of his loved ones. Vasterling also examines the role the witches in Macbeth's story, and how they actually display the same primal human characteristics as Macbeth himself - a desire for control and power at all costs - while manipulating him at the same time.

"In this intimate setting, we have an opportunity to experiment as artists and explore the first stage of the creative process," Vasterling said. "Once we debut the first layer of a performance like this, then we can build upon it and add even more polished elements to expand the work into a main-stage production. It really gives the audience an inside look into the creative process."

ALIAS Chamber Ensemble will perform a collection of works written by New York-based composer and violist Kenji Bunch. ALIAS became intimately familiar with Bunch's work last year when using his compositions as the basis of their second album release. As a composer, concert violist, bluegrass fiddle player and singer, Bunch has proven himself a versatile musician across genres - classical, bluegrass, jazz, roots and rock.

Macbeth, presented by Nashville Scene will be held at The Martin Center for Nashville Ballet for four performances: tonight, May 16 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 17 at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Tickets to Macbeth are currently on sale to the public for $28. They can be purchased by phone at (615) 782-4040 or online. Discounts are available when purchasing tickets to both Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet by calling (615) 297-2966 x10.

Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the Second Company NB2 (a pre-professional training company) serve nearly 25,000 adults and children annually through performances and our outreach and community engagement programming. Curriculum-based outreach programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. The School of Nashville Ballet provides world-class instruction in ballet and other forms of dance for dancers of all ages.

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