Frederick Ashton News

Casting for the seventh and eighth weeks of American Ballet Theatre's 2015 Spring Season at the Metropolitan Opera House was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie.

Marius Petipa first staged Don Quixote for the Imperial Bolshoi Theater in 1869 to great acclaim, and it immediately entered the ballet canon.  Almost every ballet enthusiast has seen a version of this work--new productions run the risk of seeming stale and mundane.  This general familiarity made The Royal Ballet's decision to open its American tour with the U.S. premiere of Carlos Acosta's Don Quixote daring.  The gambit paid off, however, as this production proved to be a fresh take on an old warhorse.

Celebrating the life and legacy of one of the greatest choreographers of the 20th century, The Australian Ballet presents The Dream: a triple bill of works by master choreographer Frederick Ashton, playing from tonight 4 to 13 June 2015 at Arts Centre Melbourne.

Following the critical acclaim and record-breaking attendance of Festival 2014, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival opens its 2015 season in June.

May 26, 2015 - (Becket, MA) Following the critical acclaim and record-breaking attendance of Festival 2014, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival opens its 2015 season in June. Highlights of Festival 2015 include Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host, a special dance and radio stage production starring Ira Glass, host of This American Life; the return of Nederlands Dans Theater 2; the world premiere of American Ballet Theatre principal dancer Daniil Simkin's INTENSIO; Cuban contemporary ensemble Malpaso Dance Company, performing with GRAMMY Award-winning pianist and composer Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble; and the launch of Martha Graham Dance Company's 90th Anniversary, including a world premiere by eminent choreographer Mats Ek. 

The Joyce Theater Foundation, Inc. is thrilled to present the New York debut of the Polish National Ballet, Poland's leading ballet company based in Warsaw, from June 16-21. The company, under the artistic direction of Krzysztof Pastor, will present a program of three works: two by Pastor (Adagio & Scherzo, a US Premiere and Moving Rooms, a New York Premiere) and Emanuel Gat's acclaimed Rite of Spring.  Tickets range in price from $10-$49 ($26-$37 for Joyce Theater members), and can be purchased through JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or via the internet at www.joyce.org.  The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street.

New York Theatre Ballet will celebrate their first season in their new home, and honor longtime friends Richard Alston and Valda Setterfield at a Garden Party on Thursday, June 18, 2015 at 6pm at St. Mark's Church-in-the-Bowery, 131 E. 10th Street, New York City.

Vienna Festival Ballet is currently in the midst of its 35th Anniversary Gala UK tour which celebrates their extensive repertoire and wonderful performers. I had the privilege of speaking to the company's principal female dancer, Emily-Joy Smith, who is presently enjoying performing some of her favourite characters all in one show!

The Autumn / Winter 2015 Season at Sadler's Wells has just been announced.

Celebrating the life and legacy of one of the greatest choreographers of the 20th century, The Australian Ballet presents The Dream: a triple bill of works by master choreographer Frederick Ashton, playing from 4 to 13 June 2015 at Arts Centre Melbourne.

Celebrated international ballet star, David Hallberg, offers an intimate look at the world-renowned ballet companies as they perform varied and rarely-seen contemporary works, representative of each preeminent institution. Hallberg will introduce each company and share an insider's perspective on the works and the institutions that have left an indelible impression on him as an artist. 'David Hallberg Presents: LEGACY' will take place tonight, April 17, 2015 at 7:00pm at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

The 2015/16 Royal Opera House Season has been announced. The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet and visiting companies will stage more than sixty works during 2015/16 and twelve productions from Covent Garden - six operas and six ballets - will be relayed live to more than 1,500 cinemas in 35 countries as part of the ROH Cinema Season.

American Ballet Theatre's 2015 season at the Metropolitan Opera House, May 11-July 4, will be highlighted by the New York Premiere of an all-new production of The Sleeping Beauty, a revival of Lar Lubovitch's Othello and repertory programs featuring historic works in celebration of the Company's 75th Anniversary Season. Tickets for ABT's Spring Season at the Metropolitan Opera House go on sale at the box office on Sunday, March 22 at 9:00 A.M.

Celebrated international ballet star, David Hallberg, offers an intimate look at the world-renowned ballet companies as they perform varied and rarely-seen contemporary works, representative of each preeminent institution. Hallberg will introduce each company and share an insider's perspective on the works and the institutions that have left an indelible impression on him as an artist. 'David Hallberg Presents: LEGACY' will take place on April 17, 2015 at 7:00pm at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.

Birmingham Hippodrome announces the return of dance superstar Sylvie Guillem for her last ever UK performances on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 September 2015.

ZHONG-JING FANG, a member of American Ballet Theatre, and TERRY EDLEFSEN, a former principal dancer of the Stuttgart Ballet and the Australian Ballet, will be on the faculty for the Brandywine Ballet's Summer Intensive.

American Ballet Theatre's 2015 season at the Metropolitan Opera House was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie. The season will be highlighted by the New York Premiere of Alexei Ratmansky's all-new production of The Sleeping Beauty, a revival of Lar Lubovitch's Othello and repertory programs featuring historic works in celebration of the Company's 75th Anniversary Season.