Ballet San Jose will conclude its 2014 repertory season—the first under the leadership of new Artistic Director José Manuel Carreño—with Roland Petit's iconic story ballet, Carmen, and Twyla Tharp's masterful In the Upper Room in three performances May 9-11 at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts. Considered one of Twyla Tharp's most accomplished and striking works, In the Upper Room features a commissioned score by Philip Glass that both propels and liberates the dancers in Tharp's physically demanding choreography. Since its premiere in 1949, Carmen has remained one of inventive French choreographer Roland Petit's most popular ballets for its keen character studies, theatrical staging and soaring dances. Performances will be given Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10, at 8 pm and Sunday, May 11, at 1:30 pm. For more information about Ballet San Jose, visit www.balletsj.org .
Ballet San Jose Artistic Director José Manuel Carreño and Associate Artistic Director Raymond Rodriguez have announced that former Zurich Ballet Soloist Nathan Chaney will join Ballet San Jose as Principal Dancer effective January 13 as the Company prepares to open its 2014 repertory season—the first under the artistic leadership of Mr. Carreño—with a program of ballets by Ohad Naharin, George Balanchine and Jorma Elo February 14-16. For information, visit www.balletsj.org and follow Ballet San Jose on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BalletSJ, Twitter: http://twitter.com/balletsj, Google+: https://plus.google.com/b/115533886414740478353/115533886414740478353, YouTube:http://youtube.com/balletsj and Blog: http://balletsj.wordpress.com.
Following its tremendously successful gala in November—which featured some of the world's top ballet stars from American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, San Francisco Ballet and Boston Ballet—and annual Nutcracker performances, Ballet San Jose will open its first repertory season planned by new Artistic Director José Manuel Carreño February 14-16 at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.
Cleveland needs a resident ballet company. Although not world-class, Pointe of Departure would be a wonderful permanent addition to the local scene. It can only be wished that Gabay and her company will find the desire and financing to make their home here, permanent.
