Sarasota Ballet Co. to Feature Works of Tharp, Walsh et al. in '10-'11

The Sarasota Ballet proudly announces the complete program schedule for its 2010-2011 20th Anniversary season which will feature nine ballets new to the company including more works by some the best choreographers of our day - Twyla Tharp, Christopher Wheeldon, Will Tuckett, Yuri Possokhov and Dominic Walsh - as well as great choreographers of the 20th century - George Balanchine, Sir Frederick Ashton, and Dame Ninette de Valois.

"With such diverse programming and the highest caliber choreographers, the whole season is fantastic!", shares Sarasota Ballet director Iain Webb. Webb's hard work and that of his company of dancers over the past three seasons have secured the Sarasota Ballet's reputation of having not only a diverse repertoire, but also some of the best repertoire in the country.

As befitting an anniversary season, Webb has planned to open the season with Anne Frank, a ballet popular during the tenure of his predecessor Robert de Warren and choreographed by former Sarasota Ballet dancer and ballet master James Buckley. The annual holiday classic The Nutcracker in a production by de Warren is another tradition to be honored this year.

However, this season is also a time to celebrate the tremendous growth the company has experienced during Iain Webb's tenure which began in 2007. It is one thing for a ballet company to add new repertoire, but the Sarasota Ballet under Webb has added no less than 10 new ballets each season. So sure of his dancers' ability to adapt and learn quickly, Webb has them dancing three significant new ballets by three great choreographers of today on the Modern Greats program in early December. This will be the first time the company has ever danced the choreography of Twyla Tharp when they perform In the Upper Room to the music of Phillip Glass, a new experience for audience and dancers alike.

"Last season Christopher Wheeldon's There Where She Loves blew the roof off the town and this season gives us the chance to perform one of his early works on the same program," adds Webb. "And then we'll add a third ballet by Will Tuckett, a brilliant and incredibly versatile choreographer from the Royal Ballet. He will spend a week with the company so the dancers can understand his style, the essence behind his movement and the musicality of his choreography. After flying here from London for eight days, he will then return to deliver a paper in Oxford on the environment."

Ballet is getting nods of appreciation and admiration from all the choreographers that have allowed the company to perform their works. Representatives of the Peter Darrell Trust were moved and inspired by Sarasota Ballet's Othello from last season when they saw the DVD.

Word came back from The Balanchine Trust was also very impressed when they saw highlights of the company's performances of the past three seasons. They then granted Sarasota Ballet permission to perform an entire program dedicated to Balanchine.

In addition to the neatly classical Divertimento No. 15, Sarasota Ballet will perform The Prodigal Son, one of Balanchine's greatest ballets created at Diaghilev's urging in 1929, later revised for Eddie Villella at the New York City Ballet and still a role that every male dancer strives for.

"It was such an honor when I had the opportunity to dance the role," shares Webb, who is obviously excited to share one of his favorites with Sarasota audiences. Who Cares?, a Balanchine work set to the music of Gershwin is pure dance, pure energy, according to Webb who proudly points out that the entire program will be performed to live music provided by an orchestra conducted by Emil de Cou, who was recently appointed music director of the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Bravo! 20th Anniversary Gala

"It is a great honor being the director of this company in its 20th Season," says Webb, who announces that the Sarasota Ballet's founder Jean Weidner will be celebrated at the 20th Anniversary Gala Performance on Friday, March 25, 2011 at the FSU Performing Arts Center. The Gala performance will be followed by and elegant dinner on the grounds for the audience. One performance only limits the number of people who can enjoy this evening starting at $250 per person. Sydney Goldstein, Elaine Keating and Chris Pfahler are serving as Gala co-chairs. Gala tickets can be purchased by calling Michael Scott at 941-359-0099, ext 110.

New Box Office

The Sarasota Ballet has new box office management this season and will be offering a streamlined ticket buying experience as well as concierge services for donors. Tickets for all regular performances can be purchased on line at www.SarasotaBallet.org. The new box office phone number is 941-359-0099 ext 101. Hours are Monday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. Single tickets are on sale now and range from $20 to $75 per performance.