Monthly Archives: March 2020

Cincinnati Ballet unveils new two-week dance experience, BOLD MOVES FESTIVAL, family favorite Cinderella, and Balanchine’s Jewels

PLUS The Nutcracker presented by Frisch’s Big Boy, Kaplan New Works and Family Series: The Little Mermaid

CINCINNATI, OH (March 5, 2020) – Cincinnati Ballet is thrilled to announce today the  2020-2021 Season! This upcoming season, Cincinnati Ballet will launch the most ambitious artistic programming in its history – Bold Moves Festival, a two-week dance experience at the end of April 2021. The festival will be a destination for dance lovers from the around the region, the country, and the world with productions from choreographers William Forsythe, Jiří Kylián, Helen Pickett, Twyla Tharp, Trey McIntyre, Cincinnati choreographer Heather Britt, and Cincinnati Ballet soloist David Morse. Bold Moves will also offer attendees plenty to do and enjoy all day long with guest artists, classes, and other interactive opportunities. See below for more details on Bold Moves programming.

The Season opens September 10-20, 2020 with The Kaplan New Works Series and a parade of world premieres at the Aronoff Center for the Arts’ intimate Jarson Kaplan Theater. Audiences can look forward to athletic and innovative new works from Cincinnati Ballet Artistic Director Victoria Morgan and Resident Choreographer Jennifer Archibald, as well as a provocative piece from choreographer Dana Genshaft. Two Cincinnati Ballet dancers will also premiere works chosen during our annual Choreographer’s Workshop.

Dream do come true this fall with Cinderella! The plucky heroine’s good deeds awaken a magical transformation thanks to a little help from her fairy godmother. Laugh out loud with the riotous stepsisters, hilariously performed by male dancers, and marvel as an ordinary pumpkin becomes a spectacular carriage. The audience even becomes a part of the story in this clever production. Elegant and with a twist of humor, Victoria Morgan’s choreography is paired delightfully with the charming music of Sergei Prokofiev. Enjoy Cinderella at the Aronoff Center for the Arts October 22-November 1, 2020.

Create a cherished family tradition in the Land of Sweets! Join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince in the holiday classic, The Nutcracker presented by Frisch’s Big Boy. During a Victorian Christmas party, a visit from her uncle and a mysterious gift begin Clara’s wondrous journey to a magical land. Along the way, Clara meets a colorful cast of characters and, of course, the Sugar Plum Fairy. Artistic Director Victoria Morgan’s colorful choreography is a treat to behold, with Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed by Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra at historic Music Hall December 17-27, 2020.

Sure to delight your valentine, experience choreographer George Balanchine’s Jewels, at Music Hall February 11-14, 2021. Created by Balanchine in 1967, Jewels puts precious stones on grand display. The three-act, full-length ballet is a masterpiece on the facets of classical dance.  Each act of Jewels is costumed in a different gem – emeralds, rubies, and diamonds. The distinct costumes unify the disparate themes of each jewel –the French romanticism of Emeralds, danced to Fauré’s dreamy score; Stravinsky’s Modernist, high energy score for Rubies; and Tchaikovsky’s regal classicism, evoking the imperial court of Russia in Diamonds. This is the first time Cincinnati Ballet will perform all three ‘jewel’ acts together.

Take a magical journey under the sea with our Family Series: The Little Mermaid February 26-28, 2021 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts. Join Second Company – CB2 dancers and students from the Otto M. Budig Academy for the delightful family adventure. Splash into Hans Christian Andersen’s fantastic world, complete with a love-struck mermaid, a prince, and a devious sea witch. The narrated production runs just over an hour and is the perfect introduction to ballet for the young and young at heart!

Our inaugural BOLD MOVES FESTIVAL will debut at the Aronoff Center for the Arts April 22–May 2, 2021. The festival will feature seven rotating mainstage productions accompanied by a variety of activities that will wow both ballet connoisseurs and those who love dance of all genres! Bold Moves will feature the legendary work of William Forsythe in the Cincinnati premiere of In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, the return of Trey McIntyre’s zany favorite, Wild Sweet Love, along with Jiří Kylián’s whimsical Sechs Tänze, plus a world premiere from soloist David Morse, Our Story. Continuing our commitment to champion female choreographers, Bold Moves will feature a second world premiere from DanceFix choreographer-extraordinaire Heather Britt. Cincinnati will also receive its first glimpse of the leading-edge choreographer, Helen Pickett, in her work, Petal and Twyla Tharp returns to our stage with her nostalgic, Nine Sinatra Songs. In addition to these amazing performances, audiences have a menu of guest artists, talks, film screenings, dance classes, after-parties and more to choose from during this exhilarating and immersive experience.

Subscriptions on sale now. Subscription pricing starts at around $132. For more information visit cballet.org. 

About Cincinnati Ballet
Since 1963, Cincinnati Ballet has been the cornerstone professional ballet company of the region, presenting a bold and adventurous array of classical, full-length ballets and contemporary works, regularly with live orchestral accompaniment. Under the artistic direction of Victoria Morgan, Cincinnati Ballet has become a creative force within the larger dance community, commissioning world premiere works and exploring unique collaborations with artists as diverse as Grammy winning guitarist Peter Frampton and popular, Ohio-based band Over the Rhine. With a mission to enrich, expand, and excel in the art of dance through performance, a high-caliber academy, and impactful education and outreach in local to global communities, Cincinnati Ballet reaches beyond the stage in programs that allow every person in the region to be part of the continued evolution of dance. To that end, Cincinnati Ballet presents exhilarating performances, extensive education outreach programs and offers top level professional ballet training at Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. Budig Academy.

CONNECT: READ / WATCH / LISTEN / LEARN / ENJOY at cballet.org 

Cincinnati Ballet 2019-2020 Season Sponsors: Rhonda & Larry A. Sheakley, ArtsWave, Mercy Health, Louise Dieterle Nippert Musical Arts Fund, Ohio Arts Council, John A. Schroth Family Charitable Trust, Frisch’s Big Boy, Knowlton