STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE Highlights Nashville Ballet's Upcoming 2019-20 Season

The return of the iconic Shakespearean tragedy Romeo & Juliet, as well as Nashville premieres of Christopher Bruce's Rolling Stones-inspired ballet Rooster and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's A Streetcar Named Desire are among the highlights of Nashville Ballet's 2019-20 season, announced this week.

With a collection of new works and poignant classics, the upcoming season raises a mirror to society in an exploration of perceptions, standards and stereotypes, according to a press release announcing the new season. Through thought-provoking, entertaining programming, the 2019-2020 season promises to captivate, educate and spark meaningful conversations.

"As in years past, this season illustrates the diversity of our community - we program to address the many facets of the individuals within our audience and Nashville as a whole," said Nashville Ballet artistic director Paul Vasterling.

"Art exists in order to help us see ourselves and others more fully, building empathy and understanding between us. That's the driving force behind everything we do at Nashville Ballet, and this year we are particularly focused on our audiences being able to see and reflect themselves in the works that we perform."

Season highlights include Romeo & Juliet, as well as Nashville premieres of Christopher Bruce's Rolling Stones-inspired ballet Rooster and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's A Streetcar Named Desire, the latter of which will mark first time an American company has performed the ballet based upon the iconic play by Tennessee Williams. Also noteworthy is the ballet's annual Attitude production - this season the popular series will feature four new pieces focused on gender identity and sexuality. Several fan favorites and classics round out the season's repertory.

Season tickets for Nashville Ballet's 2019-2020 went on sale to the general public on Monday, March 4, and are available atwww.nashvilleballet.com or by calling (615) 297-2966 x710. Tickets to individual performances go on sale July 1.

Nashville Ballet's 2019-2020 season will include:

Romeo & Juliet September 20-22, 2019 at TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall; choreography and direction by Paul Vasterling; fight direction and choreography by Tim Klotz; music by Sergei Prokofiev, performed by the Nashville Symphony.

William Shakespeare's star-crossed lovers return to the stage to open Nashville Ballet's season. The most iconic love story ever told, Romeo & Juliet sweeps audiences away in a whirlwind of forbidden passion and swoon-worthy romance. Featuring action-packed fight scenes and authentic period costumes, this timeless and theatrical production delivers audiences to the streets of fair Verona as the Bard's famous tragedy unfolds.

Peter & the Wolf October 11-13, 2019 at Nashville Ballet; choreography by Paul Vasterling; music by Sergei Prokofiev.

Imaginative, engaging and educational - this family-friendly production transports audiences into the pages of a life-size storybook as they embark on an unforgettable adventure with Peter and his fun-loving animal friends.

A Streetcar Named Desire November 1-3, 2019 at TPAC's James K. Polk Theater; choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa; direction and dramaturgy by Nancy Meckler; music by Peter Salem.

Nashville Ballet brings an award-winning production stateside. Sultry and seductive, the balletic adaptation of this Tennessee Williams classic brings aging Southern Belle Blanche DuBois's devastating demise centerstage in a beguiling performance meant to mesmerize.

Nashville's Nutcracker December 7-23, 2019 at TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall; concept, story treatment and choreography by Paul Vasterling; music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed by the Nashville Symphony.

Usher in the most wonderful time of the year with Music City's favorite holiday tradition - Nashville's Nutcracker returns to delight both the young and young-at-heart. Join Clara and her magical friends on a journey through a spectacular dreamland.

Attitude: Other Voices February 14-16, 2020 at TPAC's James K. Polk Theater; choreography by Jennifer Archibald, Carlos Pons Guerra, Erin Kouwe and Matthew Neenan; music composed and performed by Louis York and Cristina Spinei.

A collection of choreographers known for pushing the envelope explore gender identity and stereotypes in a series of groundbreaking new works. These artists take ballet beyond the boundary of what is traditionally expected as they reflect on what it means to be a man or woman, how gender affects one's existence and more.

Family Day at the Ballet March 29, 2020 at Nashville Ballet; Carnival of the Animals choreography by Paul Vasterling; music by Camille Saint-Saëns.

A festival of fun - this year's annual Family Day at the Ballet celebrates all that Nashville Ballet has to offer in one delightful day; enjoy movement activities, games, arts and crafts and a performance of cherished children's ballet, Carnival of the Animals.

Modern Masters April 24-26, 2020 at TPAC's Andrew Jackson Hall; Seasons choreography by Paul Vasterling; music: Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons recomposed by Max Richter, performed by the Nashville Symphony; After the Rain choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, music by Arvo Pärt performed by the Nashville Symphony; Rooster choreography by Christopher Bruce, music by the Rolling Stones.

A little bit ballet, a little bit rock 'n' roll - Christopher Bruce's Rooster brings a haughty edge and rock star rebellion to the ballet with eight exhilarating numbers set to the iconic music of the Rolling Stones. This buffet of artistry also boasts works by world-renowned choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and Nashville Ballet's artistic director Paul Vasterling.

Emergence May 14-17, 2020 at Nashville Ballet.

Emergence is back to deliver new works only hours in the making from up-and-coming, innovative artists. Get a front row seat to the creative process with this intimate and inventive series.

About Nashville Ballet 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 Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the Second Company, NB2 (a pre-professional training company), provide more than 55,000 arts experiences to adults and children annually through season performances and its Community Engagement programming. Curriculum-based Community Engagement programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. School of Nashville Ballet brings world-class dance instruction to students age 2 to 70.

Nashville Ballet receives public funding from Metro Arts, Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Contributions from local, regional and national institutional funders and community partners, as well as hundreds of generous individuals, provide ongoing support of Nashville Ballet's mission-critical programs.