Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center Announces 2011-12 Season

Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center announces the ninth season of its international dance series. Six companies representing the United States, Scotland, France, Switzerland and Russia will participate in 22 performances at the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Ahmanson Theatre, in a season that is not only culturally diverse, but also boasts a residency by Diavolo Dance Theater, a Music Center co-commission with Penn State and a part of Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980, an initiative of the Getty in collaboration with more than 60 cultural institutions across Southern California.

The season begins with the U.S. debut of Scottish Ballet under its current artistic direction of former Royal Ballet dancer and choreographer Ashley Page OBE with a repertory program to include Sir Kenneth MacMillan's "Song of the Earth" and a North American première by Jorma Elo (October 14-16, 2011), followed by The Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker (December 2-4, 2011) both at the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The Diavolo Residency (beginning October 2011) will feature a series of open rehearsals on the Music Center Plaza. Ronald K. Brown's Evidence, A Dance Company (March 9-11, 2012, Music Center's Ahmanson Theatre) will include the West Coast premiere of "On Earth Together" (Brown) set to the music of Stevie Wonder. Ballet Preljocaj (March 23-25, 2012) will perform "Snow White," based on the Grimm Brothers' version of the fairy tale and set to Mahler symphonies, followed by Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève (April 13-15, 2012) performing Northern American premieres of "Les Sylphides" (Millepied) and "Spectre de la Rose" (Millepied) with LA Opera Orchestra and Bolshoi Ballet's "Swan Lake" (June 7-12, 2012) with LA Opera Orchestra, all at the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

For season ticket information, please call (213) 972-0711 or visit www.musiccenter.org/events/dance.html.

We are excited to present a season of dance that will truly captivate the audience," said Renae Williams Niles, director of dance presentations for Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center. "Highlights include undiscovered jewels of contemporary ballet that are stunning examples of artistic beauty, though perhaps less known by U.S. audiences. Preljocaj's "Snow White" will be touring for the first time in this country, while the extraordinary Scottish Ballet and Geneva's fascinating ballet company will feature U.S. and West Coast debuts respectively. Both have impressive histories and recently received international acclaim for their keen artistic leadership and selection of contemporary works that are masterpieces of the 20th and 21st centuries. What better setting than the Music Center's iconic theaters to experience these treasures of dance," explainEd Williams Niles.

"I am so pleased to be collaborating for the first time with Jacques Heim, artistic director of the Diavolo Dance Theater, in a Music Center residency inspired by skateboard culture, a sport and an art form born here in Southern California in the 1950s," Williams Niles added "This residency will provide our community with a unique opportunity to witness and influence the creative process of an internationally acclaimed dance maker. While the Music Center has a history of supporting the development of new works by numerous artists, such as Merce Cunningham and David Michalek, this project allows us to play a more involved role and will focus on engaging audiences in the process."

"Music Center audiences will find Ronald K. Brown's Evidence, A Dance Company both powerful and motivating," Williams Niles explained. "Brown's style of movement and sensibility appeals to both contemporary dance lovers and novices because the vocabulary he intertwines is like no other. Watching this beguiling infusion of hip-hop, West African and modern styles, audiences want to move with the dancers but are in awe of what the dancers can do."

"This season also includes a holiday treat with The Joffrey Ballet's lavish production of "The Nutcracker" and will conclude with the Bolshoi Ballet's exquisite "Swan Lake, she added." Both engagements will feature the LA Opera Orchestra. This is the first time that the Bolshoi Ballet has returned to the Music Center since its sold-out engagement here in 2000."

About the 2011-2012 Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center Season

The 2011-2012 season begins in the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on October 14, 15, and 16, 2011 with the U.S. debut of Scottish Ballet, Scotland's national dance company, under its Artistic Director Ashley Page OBE. The company, who recently celebrated 40 years of outstanding dance, have gainEd Strong critical applaud for its classical technique performed with contemporary attitude, and its broad repertoire includes both classical and fiercely contemporary works, including seminal pieces from the 20th century modern ballet canon, signature pieces by living choreographers, new commissions from revered contemporary choreographers and full-length story ballets re-imagined with fresh relevance for a contemporary audience, creating a unique artistic identity. This award winning company is currently under the esteemed direction of Ashley Page, who was in 2006 awarded an OBE in the Queen's birthday honors list for his service to dance.

For the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center engagement, the company will perform a repertory program including Sir Kenneth MacMillan's "Song of the Earth" and a North American premiere by Jorma Elo. Kenneth MacMillan created "Song of the Earth" for Stuttgart Ballet in 1965 at the invitation of Artistic Director John Cranko. Set to Mahler's song cycle "Das Lied von der Erde," the lyrics to which were freely translated from a collection of eighth century Chinese poems offering bittersweet reflections on human emotion, "Song of the Earth" explores man's struggle to accept mortality, with the Messenger of Death stalking the action throughout, and the hope and renewal that comes with death.

As resident choreographer at Boston Ballet, Finnish-born Jorma Elo has become an increasingly sought-after talent across the US and Europe, and has also created works for companies including San Francisco Ballet, New York City Ballet, Nederlands Dans Theater and Finnish National Ballet. Scottish Ballet is delighted to be working with Elo on creating an exciting new work, which will be set to the music of Mozart and Steve Reich.

The Joffrey Ballet will perform its acclaimed production of "The Nutcracker" on December 2, 3 and 4 at the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with the LA Opera Orchestra. The Washington Post says "The Joffrey's ‘Nutcracker' is a theatrical event of irresistible power"...makes a resounding case that ‘The Nutcracker' is -- dare I say it -- a perfect ballet." The Joffrey Ballet's "The Nutcracker" became an annual holiday tradition at the Music Center during its residency here; this is the first time since the 1994 season that is has been seen in Los Angeles.
Classically trained to the highest standards, The Joffrey Ballet expresses a unique, inclusive perspective on dance, proudly reflecting the diversity of America with its company and audiences and repertoire, which includes major story ballets, reconstructions of masterpieces and contemporary works. Founded by visionary teacher Robert Joffrey in 1956 and guided by celebrated choreographer Gerald Arpino from 1988 until 2007, The Joffrey Ballet continues to thrive under internationally renowned Artistic Director Ashley C. Wheater and Executive Director Christopher Clinton Conway. The Joffrey Ballet has become one of the most revered and recognizable arts organizations in America and one of the top dance companies in the world.

The Diavolo Residency, which begins October 2011 is a unique co-commission and open rehearsal experience with Jacques Heim, artistic director of the Diavolo Dance Theater, part of Pacific Standard Time: Art in L.A. 1945-1980. Heim will share with the public the creation process and development of ideas and themes for a new work inspired by skateboard culture, with its Southern California heritage. Components include a series of open rehearsals on the Music Center Plaza with invited skateboarders for exchange/sharing of ideas; sessions between dancers and skaters at various skateparks throughout Los Angeles County; a screening of "Dogtown and Z-Boys," a skateboarding documentary that includes footage from the 1970s and narration by Sean Penn; and a works in progress showing of new work in the auditorium of LAUSD's High School #9.

Diavolo is one of the West Coast's most prominent dance companies touring the globe. Heim's work can be seen in Cirque du Soleil's "Ka" at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and has been commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and presented at the Hollywood Bowl.

Diavolo was founded in 1992 in Los Angeles by Jacques Heim to create large-scale interdisciplinary performances that examine the funny and frightening ways individuals act with their environment. Constantly changing the image presented to the audience, Diavolo has developed a movement vocabulary that creates an almost cinematic experience of powerful images that develop abstract narratives of the human condition. The company is comprised of dancers, gymnasts and actors who create performances collaboratively under the guidance of Heim. The sets created are outrageous and surrealistic and form an intrinsic part of each piece of work. Everyday items such as doors, chairs and stairways provide the back-drop for dramatic movement - leaping, flying, twirling - that creates metaphors for the challenge of relationships, the absurdities of life and the struggle to maintain humanity in an increasingly technological world.

Pacific Standard Time is an unprecedented collaboration of more than sixty cultural institutions across Southern California, coming together to tell the story of the birth of the L.A. art scene. Initiated through grants from the Getty Foundation, Pacific Standard Time will take place for six months beginning October 2011.

Pacific Standard Time is an initiative of the Getty. The presenting sponsor is Bank of America.

Ronald K. Brown's Evidence, A Dance Company will dance a Repertory program including the West Coast premiere of "On Earth Together" (Brown) set to music of Stevie Wonder on March 9, 10 and 11, 2012 at the Music Center's Ahmanson Theatre. Evidence, A Dance Company was previously presented by the Music Center in the 2006-2007 season.

Praised by The New York Times as "one of the most profound choreographers of his modern dance generation," Artistic Director Ronald K. Brown blends modern dance with traditional and social dances from the US, Africa and Caribbean to tell stories that illuminate fundamental aspects of the human experience.

Founded and based in Brooklyn, New York in 1985, Evidence, A Dance Company focuses on the seamless fusion of traditional African dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word. This work provides a unique view of human struggles, tragedies and triumphs.

Brown's choreography is in high demand; he has choreographed works for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Jeune Ballet d'Afrique Noire, Ko-Thi Dance Company and Philadanco. He also choreographed ReGina Taylor's award-winning play, "Crowns" and will choreograph American Repertory Theatre's re-imagining of Porgy and Bess in September 2011.

Ballet Preljocaj will perform "Snow White," based on the Grimm Brothers' version of the fairy tale and set to Mahler symphonies at the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on March 23, 24 and 25, 2012. Angelin Preljocaj set the work on 26 dancers using the most beautiful scores of Gustav Mahler's symphonies. The costumes are designed by Jean Paul Gaultier and the set is by Thierry Leproust.
CriticalDance.com said "Preljocaj proves that contemporary ballet and fairy stories can come together. His choreographic spell is helped along by Thierry Leproust's captivating sets that take us on an enchanted journey from the futuristic, minimalist ballroom complete with square-cut thrones that rise up the wall as if by magic, to the dark beauty of the forest and the dwarves' mine, before returning home."

Angelin Preljocaj said, "I was very keen to tell a story, offer something magical and enchanted. No doubt it was to avoid getting into a rut. And also because, like everyone, I love stories. I have followed the version by the Grimm Brothers with just a few personal variations based on my own analysis of the symbols in the tale. Bettelheim describes Snow White as an Oedipus in reverse. The wicked stepmother is without doubt the central character in the tale. She is the one who I examine through her narcissistic determination not to give up on seduction and her role as a woman, even if it means sacrificing her stepdaughter. The understanding of symbols belongs to adults as well as children; it's for everyone, and that's why I like fairy tales."

The season continues at the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on April 13, 14, and 15, 2012 with Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève performing Northern American premieres of "Les Sylphides" (Millepied) and "Spectre de la Rose" (Millepied) with LA Opera Orchestra. The Boston Globe says, "The acclaimed Swiss company has been called one of the most original and inventive troupes in Europe with a repertoire that pushes the boundaries of contemporary ballet."

Since its inception, this company has explored the stylistic diversity of dance in the twentieth century, which led to work with renowned artists such as George Balanchine (who served as artistic advisor from 1970 to 1978), Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolf Nureyev, Jiri Kylian, Ohad Naharin, William Forsythe and Lucinda Childs. Now headed by Philippe Cohen, the Grand Theatre Ballet has 22 dancers of various nationalities. Classically trained, they are all able to perform neo-classical and contemporary dances.

The season will conclude with Bolshoi Ballet's "Swan Lake" on June 7-12, 2012,with LA Opera Orchestra, at the Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. Ballet.co.uk says "This is a majestic, massive production, the stage packed with dancers, with soloist after soloist displaying impeccable technique."

The scenario, initially in four acts, was fashioned from Russian folk tales. It tells the story of Odette, a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer's curse. The ballet received its premiere in 1877 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow as "The Lake of the Swans." Although "Swan Lake" is presented in many different versions, most ballet companies base their stagings both choreographically and musically on the 1895 revival of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, first staged for the Imperial Ballet on January 15, 1895 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.

In 1776, Prince Pyotr Urusov and English entrepreneur Michael Maddox founded the Bolshoi in Moscow. From this date, the history of the Bolshoi Theatre started: the first permanent company and the first professional music theater that in the ensuing years acquired the status of the main stage of the country. At this stage, the ballet company was comprised of just 47 dancers. Alexander Gorsky was at the head of the Bolshoi Ballet in the first quarter of the 20th century. His choreographic ideas, reflecting the spirit of the time, brought about a new rise of popularity for the Bolshoi Theatre. The history of these years includes experiments by Kasyan Goleizovsky, who augmented the development of the Russian ballet, while from 1930s till the middle of 1950s, drama ballets prevailed. Both "The Fountain of Bakhchisarai" by Rostislav Zakharov, and "Romeo and Juliet" by Leonid Lavrovsky, were brought from Leningrad. Yuri Grigorovich's directorship marked a new rise of the Bolshoi style. From Leningrad. he brought his innovative productions and created new versions of classical ballets ("Spartacus and" "Ivan The Terrible").

Single tickets and flex series subscriptions will become available after August 15, 2011. Visit musiccenter.org for more information.

About The Music Center
As one of the top performing arts centers in the world, the Music Center is committed to strengthening community through the arts. Set in the heart of Los Angeles' downtown cultural district and home to four internationally renowned resident companies -- LA Phil, Center Theater Group, LA Opera and Los Angeles Master Chorale -- and the celebrated Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center, the Music Center offers the most compelling, highest quality engagements. In its effort to extend the reach and accessibility of the performing arts, the Music Center is a national model for experiences in which people participate directly through its Active Arts® at the Music Center. As well, the Music Center presents special productions, events and festivals for children and families, including World City at the Music Center, and plays a leadership role in advocating for and directly providing arts education in schools throughout the County. The Music Center boasts four venues -- the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall -- as well as a vibrant collection of outdoor theatres, plazas and gardens. For more information, please visit musiccenter.org.