Milwaukee Ballet Opens Season with a Pair of Majestic One-Act Ballets

Scheherazade & Angels in the Architecture.

MILWAUKEE – Sept 28, 2016 – Milwaukee Ballet proudly opens its 2016-17 season with the triumphant return of Kathryn Posin’s Scheherazade and Mark Godden’s Angels in the Architecture, on stage October 20-23 at Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. This contrasting double bill, set to the famous scores of Rimsky-Korsakov and Copland, will captivate ballet devotees and novices alike.

“Scheherazade is opulent, exotic, and classical whilst Angels in the Architecture is simple, angular, and modern. Both are visually inspiring and are enhanced by the splendid orchestral suites played live by our orchestra,” says Milwaukee Ballet Artistic Director Michael Pink.

Kathryn Posin’s Scheherazade, based on the book “One Thousand and One Nights,” tells the story of a headstrong Persian princess, named Scheherazade, and the Sultan who desires her for his wife. To save her own life, Scheherazade entertains the Sultan for 1001 nights with exotic tales.

“Scheherazade was commissioned for Milwaukee in 2003 by philanthropist Katie Heil. It was a sell-out when it opened and its lush staging and challenging choreography showcases the versatility of our artists,” said Pink. “Additionally the ballet features a large cast of characters, making this is a wonderful opportunity to witness the depth and talent of our dancers.”

Mark Godden’s Angels in the Architecture, set to Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring Suite,” which includes the Shaker hymn “Tis the Gift to be Simple,” paints a poignant picture of the Shakers as they strive for individual expression within the confines of their community.

“It’s extraordinarily beautiful in its simplistic style, and the music elevates it even higher,” said Pink.

The Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, conducted by Andrews Sill, will bring the Rimsky-Korsakov’s and Copland’s suites to life. Milwaukee Ballet remains one of few ballet companies in the nation to maintain its own orchestra.

The evening opens with Angels in the Architecture (30 minutes). Following a 25- minute intermission, Scheherazade closes the program (50 minutes).

Scheherazade & Angels in the Architecture is presented by Sue and Allan “Bud” Selig. Scheherazade was originally commissioned for Milwaukee Ballet by Katie Heil in 2003. The 2016-17 Season is presented by Donna and Donald Baumgartner, and supported by the United Performing Arts Fund.

Tickets and Pre-Show Activities
Tickets range from $38-$110, and are available online at milwaukeeballet.org or by calling the Milwaukee Ballet box office at 414-902-2103. Tickets are also available through the Marcus Center box office. Patrons are invited to choose from a variety of pre-show activities:

Thurs. Oct. 20, 7:30pm
Pre-show talk (6:30pm) with Mark Godden, Angels in the Architecture Choreographer

Fri. Oct 21, 7:30pm
Pre-show talk (6:30pm) with Kathryn Posin, Scheherazade Choreographer

Sat. Oct. 22, 7:30pm
“Shimmy at Scheherazade”
Pre-show performance (6:30pm) from Taramind Tribal Belly Dance. Interested parties can also enjoy a complimentary group belly dancing lesson.

Sun. Oct. 23, 1:30pm
Pre-show talk (6:30pm) with Andrews Sill, Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra Conductor.

All activities are complimentary with the purchase of a ticket to the performance.

MKE Ballet Book Club
Tuesday, October 4, 6:30-8pm
Radio Milwaukee – 220 E Pittsburgh Ave, Milwaukee

Milwaukee Ballet launches this season’s MKE Ballet Book Club with the stories that inspired Kathryn Posin’s Scheherazade, “One Thousand and One Nights.”  Enjoy a lively discussion with insight from literary expert Sukanya Banerjee of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Admission is a suggested $35 donation, which covers all four book club events in the 2016-17 season. RSVP to Megan Spangberg at (414) 902-2107 or mspangberg@milwaukeeballet.org.

Open Rehearsals at Milwaukee Art Museum
Friday, October 7, 11:30am-1pm
Milwaukee Art Museum – 700 N Art Museum Dr, Milwaukee

Milwaukee Ballet and the Milwaukee Art Museum invite the community to Windhover Hall to see dancers of the Nancy Einhorn Milwaukee Ballet II Program practice for upcoming performances. This event is presented in conjunction with the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Rineke Dijkstra: Rehearsals exhibition.

This open rehearsal is free with the price of Milwaukee Art Museum admission.

The Milwaukee Ballet II Program was established in 1978 to nurture and develop gifted young dancers, bridging the gap between student and professional. The dancers build their technical skills and artistry by dancing alongside the professionals of Milwaukee Ballet Company in main stage productions, and through a comprehensive training experience led by The Company’s artistic team and a series of guest instructors. These dancers are also featured in their own performances in Wisconsin venues and studio showcases.

Made in Milwaukee
Kathryn Posin’s Scheherazade made its world premiere in Milwaukee in 2003 thanks to a generous commission sponsorship by local philanthropist Katie Heil. Since making its debut, Scheherazade has also been performed by Sofia National Ballet (Bulgaria), Nevada Ballet Theater (Las Vegas), Sacramento Ballet (California), and Ballet San Antonio (Texas). This was the first of many successful world premieres to take the stage under the tenure of Artistic Director Michael Pink, who promotes the importance of generating new work as a central component of the Milwaukee Ballet mission. Pink has premiered four full-length new works in Milwaukee: Dorian Gray (2015), Mirror Mirror (2014), La Bohème (2012), and Peter Pan (2010), which PBS broadcast nationally in 2014.

About Milwaukee Ballet
Founded in 1970, Milwaukee Ballet celebrates its 47^th season as a staple of Milwaukee’s arts and culture community. 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 one of only a 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. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.

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