SMUIN Ballet Closes THE CHRISTMAS BALLET, 12/24

The Bay Area's hottest holiday ticket THE CHRISTMAS BALLET makes its annual sassy return with a perfect gift for audience members of all ages.  Smuin Ballet's snow-filled extravaganza boasts everything from ballet, tap, and jazz to a wealth of other dances and tunes drawn from holiday traditions from around the world.  Called "an ode to holiday mischief" by 7x7 Magazine and "an effervescent bauble" by the San Francisco Chronicle, this enormously popular yuletide celebration includes both Classic Christmas and Cool Christmas, combining beautiful and traditional performances with charming, humorous, and sexy dance pieces.  The 2010 Edition includes two world premieres from acclaimed Choreographer in Residence Amy Seiwert and Smuin Ballet Master Amy London to accompany time-honored favorites.  Single tickets ($20, $49, $59, and $62) are available through the respective theaters.
 
A refreshing alternative to standard holiday entertainment, THE CHRISTMAS BALLET is an eclectic mix of seasonal offerings that satisfies all tastes.  THE CHRISTMAS BALLET, 2010 EDITION features two fresh out of the box, mint condition world premieres.  Amy Seiwert's Classic Christmas world premiere is a ballet for twelve dancers set to Leonard Bernstein's sweeping version of "Carol of the Bells."  A former dancer with Smuin Ballet, Seiwert has been choreographing since 1999 and has won numerous awards and critical accolades.  Now an internationally acclaimed choreographer, her works are in the repertory of Smuin Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, American Repertory Ballet, and Carolina Ballet, as well as Ballet Nouveau Colorado, Colorado Ballet, Robert Moses KIN, and Ballet Austin.  Ballet Master Amy London's cheery addition to Cool Christmas is set to Andy William's tune "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year."  London has served as the Ballet Master for Smuin Ballet since 2008, having danced professionally with Hartford Ballet, Diablo Ballet, and Smuin Ballet. With more than 20 years of experience teaching ballet technique, she has choreographed over 20 works for Marin Ballet, as well as pieces for Contra Costa Ballet, Western Ballet, and the California Academy of Performing Arts.
 
THE CHRISTMAS BALLET, 2010 EDITION heralds the return of several favorites such as Michael Smuin's last Christmas Ballet addition, a male solo set to a moving traditional from Spain, "La Virgen Lava Panales"; "Deck the Halls," an enchanting trio for female dancers also by Smuin; and Amy Seiwert's touching pas de deux set to the ethereal French carol "Noel Nouvelet."  Cool Christmas is bringing back Smuin Dancer Shannon Hurlburt's spirited tap dance duet set to an ode to everyone's favorite reindeer, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," and will also include Seiwert's festive group number set to Harry Connick Jr.'s jazzy "I Pray on Christmas" as well as a trip to "Christmas Island" for a visit with some gyrating hula girls and a taste of zydeco with "Cajun Christmas," both choreographed by Michael Smuin. 
 
Debuting in San Francisco in 1994, Smuin Ballet immediately established itself as one of the Bay Area's most eagerly watched performing arts companies, as "one of this country's most entertaining, original ballet troupes" (Dance Magazine), and as a dance company of international acclaim, performing to sold-out houses on European tours. Michael Smuin's singular philosophy to create pieces which merge the diverse vocabularies of classical ballet and contemporary dance has served as the company's touchstone since its beginning. 
 
Now at the helm of Smuin Ballet is Artistic and Executive Director Celia Fushille, whose vision includes maintaining and increasing the company's reputation for presenting accessible and innovative repertoire, attracting new audiences of all ages to the medium.  The company has continued to highlight works created by Smuin, both for his own and for other ballet companies, but Fushille also enriches its impressive repertoire with newer choreographic voices, bringing the Bay Area its first look at works by exciting choreographers from around the world, as well as developing world premieres by company members.

In the true spirit of the holiday season, Smuin Ballet continues its relationship with the Toys for Tots program by offering an opportunity at each of its venues to celebrate kindness and encourage generosity.  Toy donors who bring a new, unwrapped toy to the box office will receive 50% off his or her ticket on any of the following 8pm performance dates: November 27 in Walnut Creek, December 4 in Carmel, December 11 in Mountain View, and December 18 in San Francisco.  The toys will be distributed by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves to needy children during the holidays.  Earlier in the afternoon, youngsters will get a "Sweet Santa" surprise; Santa Claus will be waiting in the lobby to greet the young and young at heart with complimentary sweets and beverages after the matinee on the above mentioned dates and venues.

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