Milwaukee Ballet announces 2016-17 Season

February 29, 2016 (Milwaukee) – Milwaukee Ballet Artistic Director Michael Pink proudly announced the Company’s 2016-17 season, presenting a dance journey that enchants with mystical tales, romantic notions, and the lure of the unexpected.

The 47^th season opens with Kathryn Posin’s Scheherazade, inspired by the tales of “1001 Arabian Nights” and featuring literature’s most exotic storyteller. This stirring ballet shares the program with Mark Godden’s Angels in the Architecture – a graceful work that pays tribute to the Shaker movement. This unique double bill pairs the sensual with the simple in an evening that is simply unforgettable.

Milwaukee Ballet ushers in the holiday season with The Nutcracker, which continues to deliver love and light to the Wisconsin community.

GENESIS returns in its seventh installment. This international choreographic competition offers up-and-coming dance makers the chance to present a premiere on The Pabst Theater stage. Three finalists create new work for Milwaukee Ballet’s dancers and vie for the judges’ and audiences’ votes.

In spring, we pair the old with the new in a dynamic program of dance. First, we celebrate one of the world’s oldest ballets, La Sylphide. This romantic classic will be performed alongside a world premiere from Milwaukee Ballet’s own Choreographer-in-Residence Timothy O’Donnell, set to a score by renowned composer Joan Tower.

Finally, Milwaukee Ballet stands before Mirror Mirror, Artistic Director Michael Pink’s own unique style of dance drama which re-examines the original story of Snow White as told by the Brothers Grimm, offering the perfect “happily ever after” to the season. This visceral version of the folktale was celebrated by critics and audiences alike when it premiered in 2014.

“Our 2016-17 season is rich in style and sophistication as we journey across the globe, exploring romantic classics like La Sylphide, alongside new work like in GENESIS,” said Pink.

Six ballets will include live music performed by the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, conducted by Music Director Andrews Sill and Associate Conductor Pasquale Laurino.

Hundreds of students from Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy and singers from Milwaukee Children’s Choir will join the production of The Nutcracker.

Milwaukee Ballet subscribers will also receive a special ticket offer to see the Milwaukee Ballet II’s presentation of MOMENTUM at the South Milwaukee PAC. “For the first time, we have introduced our second company, the Nancy Einhorn Milwaukee Ballet II Program, into our season mix. These talented artists are the future of ballet and we are so pleased to feature their work this year,” explained Pink.

“This season is truly one for appreciating the beauty of dance. I trust many of Milwaukee’s art patrons and families will choose to join our journey this year as subscribers,” said Pink.

The 2016-17 season is generously sponsored by longtime subscribers and supporters, Donna and Donald Baumgartner, and supported by the United Performing Arts Fund.

About the 2016–17 Season:

 Scheherazade | Angels in the Architecture, Oct 20–23, 2016, Marcus Center

Scheherazade: First conceived and staged in Milwaukee in 2003, Kathryn Posin’s critically acclaimed story ballet is colorful, enchanting, and opulent.

 Angels in the Architecture: Set to Copland’s “Appalachian Spring Suite,” Mark Godden’s celebratory dance showcases the beauty and simplicity of the Shaker movement.

The Nutcracker, Dec 10–27, 2016, Marcus Center

A holiday gift to Milwaukee from BMO Harris Bank

The magic, mayhem, and music of Milwaukee’s most popular holiday tradition continues to delight and inspire new generations of dance lovers.

MOMENTUM: MBII, Jan 28, 2017, South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center – Add-On Performance

The dancers of the Nancy Einhorn Milwaukee Ballet II Program perform new work by world-class choreographers in this annual showcase at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center.

GENESIS 2017, Feb 16 – 19, 2017, Pabst Theater

Proudly presented by Associated Bank

Our biennial international choreographic competition gives audiences a thrilling glimpse of the future of dance. Three up-and-coming choreographers are commissioned to create new works in three weeks.

La Sylphide | World Premiere, Apr 6 – 9, 2017, Marcus Center

La Sylphide: Staged by noted Danish répétiteur Dinna Bjørn, the romantic classic La Sylphide transports us into the forest realm of the sylphs, chasing dreams and illusions. Mixing traditional classical dance with Scottish reels, this ethereal tale in two acts is a story of passion and unrequited love.

World Premiere by Timothy O’Donnell: Choreographer-in-Residence O’Donnell presents his sixth new work at Milwaukee Ballet, set to Joan Tower’s “Concerto for Piano.”

Mirror Mirror, Jun 1 – 4, 2017, Marcus Center

Snow White is reimagined as both dream and nightmare in Michael Pink’s provocative dance drama.  This famous story of good and evil, dark and light, and lust and love is told through evocative sets, couture costumes and Philip Feeney’s striking score.

About Milwaukee Ballet

Founded in 1970, Milwaukee Ballet proudly announces its 47th season. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Michael Pink, Milwaukee Ballet has become world-renowned for presenting both bold, new interpretations of story ballets, and cutting-edge, evocative contemporary works. Milwaukee Ballet is the home to an international company of dancers, and is one of the few companies in the nation to maintain its own orchestra. Milwaukee Ballet School & Academy is the only professional dance school in the Midwest accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance. Milwaukee Ballet’s award-winning Community Outreach department serves more than 30,000 people in Southeastern Wisconsin through original, interactive programs.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.