The Kennedy Center to Welcome The National Ballet of Canada

The National Ballet of Canada returns to the Kennedy Center following its highly regarded 2013 engagement of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland with the United States premiere of The Winter's Tale from January 19-24, 2016 in the Kennedy Center Opera House. Based on William Shakespeare's classic play of the same name, the production is co-produced with The Royal Ballet and choreographed by the renowned British choreographer and Tony Award winner Christopher Wheeldon, choreographer of the Tony Award-winning musical An American in Paris, and his acclaimed creative team. The Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra will accompany this production.

The Winter's Tale is a story of jealousy, tragedy, comedy, and redemption. Suspicious King Leontes wrongfully accuses his pregnant wife, Queen Hermione, and his best friend, King Polixenes, of an affair and decrees that Hermione's child be abandoned in the wild. Years pass and Perdita, the royal newborn, has grown into a beautiful shepherd girl, raised by shepherds with no knowledge of her lineage. She holds the heart of the dashing shepherd Florizel, really Polixenes' son in disguise. Unaware of their inherited connection, the young lovers pursue their romance. Time reveals whether their love will reunite families and mend broken hearts.

The production reunites Alice's creative team featuring striking sets and costumes by Bob Crowley, a soaring original score by Joby Talbot, and lighting by Natasha Katz. The premiere in London at the Royal Opera House in April 2014 was met with enthusiasm from critics and audiences alike. The National Ballet of Canada premiered this work in November of 2015 at the Four Seasons Center for the Performing Arts in Toronto where it has continued to be praised.

Established as a classical company by founder Celia Franca in 1951, The National Ballet of Canada is the only Canadian ballet company to present a full range of traditional full-length classics. The company's repertoire includes works by the world's most celebrated 20th and 21st-century masters, Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, John Cranko, William Forsythe, James Kudelka, Ji?í Kylián, John Neumeier, Rudolf Nureyev, Glen Tetley, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, and Alexei Ratmansky. In addition to its classical repertoire, the company also embraces contemporary works and encourages the creation of new ballets and the development of Canadian choreographers. Canada's premier dance company has toured extensively, throughout Canada, the United States, and throughout the world performing for over 10 million people. The National Ballet is committed to outreach and education for families and youth who may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience the joys of ballet. The company has a wide range of age appropriate programs designed to engage with schools and children in the Greater Toronto Area and communities across Canada. YOU dance, the National Ballet's signature program, is designed to introduce students in grades four, five, and six to the world of dance through free workshops and performances.

Ticket Information

Ticket prices range from $39 to $125. Tickets can be purchased at the Kennedy Center box office or by calling Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600. Patrons living outside the Washington metropolitan area may dial toll-free at (800) 444-1324 or visit www.kennedy-center.org.

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