Northrop Announces 2011-12 Dance Season, Tickets on Sale 8/15

Northrop Concerts and Lectures at the University of Minnesota announces it 2011-12 Northrop Dance Season, featuring six of the world's best ballet and modern dance companies, a trademark of the Northrop experience. The upcoming season reflects the rich tradition of Northrop with premier presentations of seminal artists, provocative productions, inspired choreography, and sensational dancers.

During the construction period (Feb 2011-Sep 2013) of the revitalization of Northrop Auditorium, Northrop will move its world-class dance programming to downtown Minneapolis in the highly visible Historic Theatre District on Hennepin Avenue. The first full NORTHROP MOVES season represents the best companies from the United States, China, France, Canada, and the UK. Featuring stunning, important works from choreographers like Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Alvin Ailey, and Jorma Elo, the season also introduces Minnesota audiences to new mavericks like Angelin Preljocaj, Jin Xing, Christopher Wheeldon, and Robert Battle.

Highlights of the 2011-12 Northrop Dance Season include:

The MN debut of Sir Kenneth MacMillan's epic masterwork, Song of the Earth set to music by Mahler performed by Scottish Ballet, Scotland's leading classical ballet company.

Two yet-to-be-named Jorma Elo works - both to be premiered this summer by the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland and by Houston Ballet. Scottish Ballet and Houston Ballet will highlight this important choreographer's latest contributions to contemporary ballet.

The return of Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the U.S. premiere of Wonderland by acclaimed Canadian choreographer Shawn Hounsell. Based on Alice in Wonderland, this avant-garde take on a classic story will be the anchor of exciting downtown events called "Wonderland Weekend."

Back by popular demand, Houston Ballet and artistic director Stanton Welch return to Minnesota, premiering the MN debut of Rush by Christopher Wheeldon, Houston Ballet's commission of a new Jorma Elo work, and Welch's Indigo in two different evenings of classical and contemporary repertoire.

The MN debut of Ballet Preljocaj, based in France and under the direction of Angelin Preljocaj, and their imaginative and inspired production of Snow White (Blanche Neige) featuring a who's who of French design, including costumes by famed French designer Jean Paul Gaultier.

From the most important theater in China, Northrop debuts the Jin Xing Dance Theatre Shanghai, and China's leading and most provocative choreographer, Jin Xing. Celebrated in China, Jin Xing's personal and haunting Shanghai Tango, represents a collection of her choreographic oeuvre in one evening. Though not actually a tango, the pieces evoke the energy and diversity of contemporary Shanghai.

The season ends with one of the most popular dance companies of all time - the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, celebrating the first inaugural tour of the company's new artistic director, Robert Battle, and featuring the timeless masterpiece of Revelations on both evening's repertoire.
TICKETS:

Northrop Dance Series Packages on Sale Now at Northrop.umn.edu or 612-625-6600.
There are four easy options for subscribing to a Northrop Dance series: Portfolio, Classic, Innovators, and Journeys.

Portfolio: Take the complete tour of all the Northrop Dance productions featuring celebrated masterworks, exceptional companies, and acclaimed choreographers. This is the "must-see" series of the Twin Cities 11-12 season. $184 - $346

Classic: See two major MN debuts, a U.S. premiere, and a favorite return of leading ballet from the United States, Scotland, France, and Canada. Classic features the glorious Scottish Ballet, Scotland's classical ballet dance company; the famed Ballet Preljocaj from Paris; Canada's beloved Royal Winnipeg Ballet with the U.S. premiere of their latest, Wonderland; and the beloved Houston Ballet, one of America's largest ballet companies. $124 - $234

Innovators: The world of dance is full of innovation, and you can see leading dance makers' latest offerings in this exciting series featuring new works by Jorma Elo, Jin Xing, Angelin Preljocaj, and Robert Battle. $120 - $224

Journeys: This series is for the dance first-timer to experience select classic ballet and modern dance including Royal Winnipeg Ballet, Jin Xing Dance Theatre Shanghai, Houston Ballet, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. $124 - $234

Prices include tax and facility/processing fees.

Special Note: Donors and renewing, continuous subscribers receive the highest priority for seating. Seating is also done by the date the order is received. To ensure the best seating when Northrop re-opens in fall 2013, patrons will want to plan to annually renew their season tickets and make a contribution to Friends of Northrop Dance.

Subscribers benefit by saving 15%: (17% for seniors, students, U of M students/staff/faculty) Receive priority seating, free first ticket exchange, and 15% off all additional single tickets (order before they go on sale to the general public).

Single tickets on sale to the general public beginning Aug 15, 2011 at ticketmaster.com. To save on paying ticket processing fees, patrons may purchase single tickets in person at the Hennepin Theatre Trust Box Office at the State Theatre at State Theatre Box Office, 805 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, or by phone at 612.339.7007.

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