Los Angeles Ballet Soars into 3rd Season with World-Class

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 12:19:44 +0000

Los Angeles Ballet Soars into 3rd Season with World-Class

Los Angeles Ballet Soars into 3rd Season with World-Class Production of “The Nutcracker”

November 5, 2008 (Los Angeles, CA) Los Angeles Ballet [LAB] co-Artistic Directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary announced today that the company will launch its third season with its magical full-length original production of the holiday favorite The Nutcracker, which runs Dec. 12-Dec. 28 for a total of eight scheduled performances at venues across Los Angeles. Los Angeles Ballet is also pleased to welcome back Eddy Tovar as permanent guest artist, Sergey Kheylik and Rainer Krenstetter as guest artists, and new dancers Grace Zoe McLaughlin, Katie Tomer, Jamie Lynn Schultz, Adele Robbins, Alexander Forck, Drew Grant, Craig Hall and Tian Tan.

Also, families across Southern California will have the opportunity to enjoy LAB’s whimsical Nutcracker production at a special price for the second year in a row with its Family Ticket Package. Families can purchase one single adult ticket at full cost and receive a 50% discount on tickets for up to four children 12 and under, or purchase two single adult tickets and receive 50% off for up to eight children’s tickets.

Nutcracker tickets are on sale immediately by calling 310-998-7782 or by visiting www.losangelesballet.org.

Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker will be performed at Alex Theatre, Glendale December 12; Royce Hall, UCLA, Dec. 20 and 21; and Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center Dec. 27 and 28. Krenstetter will dance at Royce Hall. For the second year in a row, Krenstetter will partner with Corina Gill of LAB, who reprises her role as “Marie” since the inaugural production in 2006. For the first time Tovar will partner with Corina Gill at Redondo Beach.

Recurring for its third season, the Neary-Christensen choreography features a distinctive Los Angeles elegance which infuses the entire production of The Nutcracker, from costumes to sets to choreography and storyline, and once again provides a framework for exquisite dancing by the LAB ensemble.

“We are thrilled to present this exceptional holiday production of The Nutcracker to families across Southern California,” said Christensen. “We have been embraced by the community these past two seasons and we are pleased to bring back Los Angeles Ballet’s world-class production of The Nutcracker to such an exciting audience.”

About The Nutcracker Los Angeles Ballet’s The Nutcracker follows the story of Clara and her family welcoming guests to a party on Christmas Eve and the magical adventures that ensue. Audiences will feel at home yet will soon learn to anticipate fresh variations on the traditional themes. The storyline offers unique twists on tradition, such as Clara’s favorite dolls coming to life as “Marie” and her “Prince”. The sets, created by Los Angeles designer Catherine Kanner, create the feeling of being inside a children’s storybook; a real place yet fantastical — warm and inviting. Scenes reflect 1912 Los Angeles, featuring a classic Spanish style home with Mexican, Spanish and European influences. Costumes were created by famed Danish designer Mikael Melbye, presenting the audience with opulent visuals.

THE NUTCRACKER PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE**
The Alex Theatre, Glendale
216 North Brand Boulevard
Glendale, 91203
Dec. 12, 2008 at 7:30 p.m.

Royce Hall, UCLA
340 Royce Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Dec. 20, 2008 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 21, 2008 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center
1935 Manhattan Beach Boulevard
Redondo Beach, 90278
Dec. 27, 2008 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 28, 2008 at 2 p.m.
**Performers subject to change

About the Choreographers Thordal Christensen is the co-Artistic Director for the Los Angeles Ballet. The world of dance claims Mr. Christensen as one of its most respected citizens. Mr. Christensen danced with the Royal Danish Ballet, New York City Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet in major roles in the classical and modern repertoire. He was appointed artistic director of the Royal Danish Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet School in 1999. During his leadership he advanced the company repertoire and school to new levels. In 2002, Mr. Christensen was appointed Knight of Dannebrog by Her Majesty Margrethe II.

Colleen Neary is the co-Artistic Director for the Los Angeles Ballet. Ms. Neary danced as a soloist from 1969 to 1979 in The New York City Ballet under the direction of George Balanchine. She had numerous roles created for her by George Balanchine, Peter Martins, Jacques d’Amboise and others.

She was invited in 1979 to be Ballet Mistress and Choreographic Assistant for the Zurich Ballet. During this period she also staged Rudolf Nureyev’s Don Quixote and Manfred for La Scala de Milan, Zurich Ballet and Vienna State Opera. In 1984 she was invited to be Principal Guest Artist and company teacher for Maurice Béjart’s Ballet du XXième Siecle where he created several roles for her. In 1986 she was invited to join Pacific Northwest Ballet as Principal Dancer. In 1992 she joined The Royal Danish Ballet as Ballet Mistress and company teacher. By 1999 she became First Ballet Mistress in charge of productions, a position she held until 2002.

Ms. Neary is a member of the George Balanchine Trust and has staged many of his ballets, including Agon, The Four Temperaments, Theme and Variations, Rubies, Serenade, Tarantella, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, Divertimento no.15, Piano Concerto no. 2, Concerto Barocco, Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, and Symphony in C, for leading companies around the world.

About Los Angeles Ballet Los Angeles Ballet made its exciting debut in 2006 as the city’s own professional ballet company focused on capturing the creative aesthetic unique to Southern California. The Company’s first triumph was “The Nutcracker” followed by dynamic repertoires in Seasons I and II, hailed by critics and audiences alike. With a professional ballet presence in Los Angeles, the Company plans to continue to captivate a large and diverse audience who will become devoted, supportive patrons. Balletomanes in Los Angeles will no longer have to rely on visiting companies to experience world class dance; they will now have a home-based outlet for their passion. Additionally, a new generation of dance enthusiasts can regularly enjoy the company’s dynamic dance productions. LAB was most recently featured in a special showcase on the hit FOX television show, “So You Think You Can Dance.”

Media Contacts: Lisa Bustamante
mPRm Public Relations
323-933-3399
lbustamante@mprm

Lisa Bustamante mPRm Public Relations
5670 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 2500 I Los Angeles, CA 90036
Tel: 323.933.3399 ext. 4210
Email: lbustamante@mprm.com I Website: www.mprm.com

mPRm – a member of Public Relations Organisation International, Inc. (PROI), the largest global network of independently owned public relations agencies.

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Los Angeles Ballet Soars into 3rd Season with World-Class