Cincinnati Ballet 2013-2014 50th Anniversary Season

1963–2013

Maizyalet Velázquez

Liang Fu & Janessa Touchet in Infamous Love Songs

Sirui Liu in Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker

Kristi Capps in Boléro

King Arthur’s Camelot Set Design by Joe Tilford Oğulcan Borova & Courtney Connor Jones in Infamous Love Songs

Selahattin Erkan in Infamous Love Songs

Patric Palkens & Maizyalet Velázquez in Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker

Cervilio Miguel Amador & Janessa Touchet in The Kaplan New Works Series

Thomas Caleb Roberts, Danielle Bausinger, Patric Palkens & Zack Grubbs in The Kaplan New Works Series

Performance Photography:

Cincinnati Ballet & BalletMet Columbus dancers in Swan Lake

Jill Marlow & Anthony Krutzkamp in Infamous Love Songs

Cincinnati Ballet & BalletMet Columbus dancers in Swan Lake

Cincinnati Ballet dancers in Infamous Love Songs

Dear Cincinnati Ballet Lovers, There’s surprising reassurance that comes with age and as we celebrate our 50th Anniversary Season, we marvel at the blessings that come only from experience –

…in our security, a willingness to risk; …with perspective, an appreciation of where we come from; …through our adventure, a broadness of thought; ...from our discipline, an insatiable passion.

Our 2013–2014 Season brings you productions cultivated from a life well lived - from the revered traditions of our past to the bold ideas that will propel us into the future.

As we celebrate 50 fabulous years, there’s one thing we hope for above all else and that’s to share it with you. Like fine wine and good friends, some things just get better with age. The season we have planned is proof that, in our golden year, the best is yet to come. Don’t miss it!

In celebration of age,

Victoria Morgan Artistic Director and CEO

Patric Palkens

In every industry, there’s an anxiously awaited moment when the curtain is pulled back and the product of the future is unveiled. For us, The Kaplan New Works Series is that moment. But instead of new makes and models or the latest gadget, we bring you the cutting edge of dance.

With no set boundaries other than the limits of the physical world (and occasionally our dancers defy even those), this is dance at its most daring. To add to the excitement, we’ve removed the space between dancers and audience so you’re sitting ringside for the most inventive production of the year.

This season, New Works brings two brand new choreographic voices to the mix and welcomes the return of long-time favorites Heather Britt and Val Caniparoli. Also, back by popular demand, is James Kudelka’s The Man in Black, set to six covers by Johnny Cash, which had audiences swarming back to the theatre after its 2011 debut. It promises to be an evening of revelations. But that’s all we can say for now. The rest hasn’t been invented yet.

Choreography Heather Britt, Val Caniparoli, Jodie Gates, James Kudelka, Gina Patterson Music Various Thursday, September 12

8:00 pm

Thursday, September 19

8:00 pm

Friday, September 13

8:00 pm

Friday, September 20

8:00 pm

Saturday, September 14

2:00 pm

Saturday, September 21

2:00 pm

Saturday, September 14

8:00 pm

Saturday, September 21

8:00 pm

Wednesday, September 18

8:00 pm

Sunday, September 22

2:00 pm

Cincinnati Ballet Center Mickey Jarson Kaplan Performance Studio S e p t e mb e r 1 2 – 2 2 , 2 0 1 3 c balle t.org | 51 3.621 .528 2

Janessa Touchet

On the edge of a moonlit lake, a young heroine, trapped by an evil spell, finds the love that can set her free. But beware the Black Swan – the seductive villainess ensures that happily ever after exists only in other fairy tales.

A dramatic and tragically romantic story, Swan Lake reminds us that even when good and evil are painted in black and white, following your heart can be a difficult road to navigate.

In collaboration with BalletMet Columbus, Cincinnati Ballet brings you one of ballet’s iconic works in a tour de force production that is sure to have our dancers, and your heart, taking flight.

Choreography Devon Carney, Gerard Charles and Victoria Morgan after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov Music Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carmon DeLeone Friday, October 25

8:00 pm

Saturday, October 26

8:00 pm

Saturday, October 26

2:00 pm

Sunday, October 27

2:00 pm

Performed in collaboration with BalletMet Columbus.

A r o n o f f C e n t e r | Oc t o b e r 2 5 – 2 7 , 2 0 1 3 P r ese n ted b y

c balle t.org | 51 3.621 .528 2

Sarah Hairston

If there is, in fact, a season for everything, then December is the season of decadence. As we prepare to indulge this holiday season, one thing is certain - it doesn’t get much sweeter than Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker.

From the bedecked halls of the Stahlbaum home to the frosted landscapes of The Land of Sweets, Clara and her Nutcracker Prince take us on an unforgettable journey filled with delightful surprises at every turn. Rich characters brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s luscious score will have your eyes feasting and your heart soaring with the wonder and enchantment that come but once a year.

Indulge your imagination and your sweet tooth in a festive tradition that’s perfect for the whole family. There isn’t a holiday party in town grander than this.

Nutcracker brims with the light, bubbly joy of a glass of champagne. - Julie Mullins, CityBeat

Choreography

Lighting Design

Victoria Morgan

Trad A Burns

Set Design

Music

John Ezell

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, conducted

by Carmon DeLeone

Costume Design Carrie Robbins Friday, December 20

7:30 pm

Friday, December 27

7:30 pm

Saturday, December 21*

2:00 pm

Saturday, December 28*

2:00 pm

Saturday, December 21

7:30 pm

Saturday, December 28

7:30 pm

Sunday, December 22

1:00 pm

Sunday, December 29

1:00 pm

Sunday, December 22

5:30 pm

Sunday, December 29

5:30 pm

Thursday, December 26

7:30 pm

*Sugar Plum Parade: Take a walk across the stage after the show to see the sets, costumes and dancers up close!

A r o n o f f C e n t e r | D e c e mb e r 2 0 – 2 9 , 2 0 1 3 c balle t.org | 51 3.621 .528 2

Janessa Touchet & Cervilio Miguel Amador

W orld P remiere At some point, we all must decide what our legacy will be.

King Arthur’s Camelot was no accident. The idyllic kingdom was fought for, designed, created by men of profound integrity in service of a noble ideal. Their hope? To leave behind a world far greater than the one they inherited.

In honor of our 50th year, Cincinnati Ballet endeavors to create our own Camelot. Each aspect of the world premiere ballet is being carefully crafted - from brand new sets, costumes and choreography to an original score and libretto - for a theatrical experience unlike any other.

Steeped in medieval tradition but told through a contemporary lens, it’s a story that has shocking relevance today. Not wanting for forbidden romance or medieval magic, this is no “once upon a time.” This is a story of our time. And it will stand as an enduring testament to Cincinnati Ballet’s legacy for decades to come.

There is no worse death than the end of hope. - King Arthur Choreography

Costume Design

Victoria Morgan

Sandra Woodall

Libretto

Lighting Design

Eda Holmes

Trad A Burns

Set Design

Music

Joe Tilford

Original Composition, John Estacio, performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carmon DeLeone

Thursday, February 13

8:00 pm

Saturday, February 15

8:00 pm

Friday, February 14

8:00 pm

Sunday, February 16

2:00 pm

Saturday, February 15

2:00 pm

Aronoff Center | February 13–16, 2014 S pecial t h a n k s

The Sheakley World Premiere Fund* Title Sponsor

Margaret & Michael Valentine

P r od u ctio n S po n so r

Rosemary & Mark Schlachter

*a fund created by Rhonda & Larry Sheakley to inspire and initiate world premiere ballets for Cincinnati Ballet

c balle t.org | 51 3.621 .528 2

Rodrigo Almarales

Symphony in C Classic beauty and pristine elegance make Symphony in C one of Balanchine’s most mesmerizing works. In a perfect marriage of movement and music, dancers create a stunning display of technical bravura all with signature grace and brilliance. Originally titled Le Palais de Cristal, it’s a piece that sparkles culminating in an exhilarating final movement that’s awe inspiring.

Cincinnati Ballet and BalletMet Columbus join forces once again to bring you a work so grand that it’s rarely seen outside the East or West coasts. ...the most exhilarating piece in world repertory. - Alastair Macaulay, The New York Times Choreography George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust Music Georges Bizet, performed by Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra, conducted by Carmon DeLeone

Boléro For every dancer, the beginning is simple. A genuine love of movement turns to an all-consuming passion. Boléro captures the evolution of a dancer from young student to virtuosic professional in a work that escalates into a series of technical feats that will have you on the edge of your seat.

Driven by Ravel’s compelling score, Morgan customizes the work to show off each dancer’s unique talent, which means you’ll see Cincinnati Ballet at its very best.

Choreography Victoria Morgan Music Maurice Ravel, performed by Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra, conducted by Carmon DeLeone Friday, March 28

8:00 pm

Saturday, March 29

2:00 pm

Saturday, March 29

8:00 pm

Performed in collaboration with BalletMet Columbus.

Aronoff Center | March 28–29, 2014 P r ese n ted b y

c balle t.org | 51 3.621 .528 2

Courtney Connor Jones

Over the Rhine. It’s a name that’s become synonymous with Cincinnati’s very best - its most popular band, its trendiest neighborhood and now, the hottest dance production of the season.

Following the stunning success of their 2011 Cincinnati Ballet debut, Over the Rhine joins us live on stage once again in a sultry collaboration that will have you looking at ballet in a whole new light.

Karin Berquist’s honey rich vocals and the band’s patented brand of passion ignite the stage as dancers show you the not-so-sweet side of dance. Perfectly homegrown with unbelievably broad appeal, it will be the event of the season you won’t want to miss. ...exhilarating, dazzling and sexy as hell...this is a radical departure from your run-of-the-mill evening at the ballet. - David Lyman, The Cincinnati Enquirer

Choreography Jodie Gates, Andrew Hubbard & Missy Lay Zimmer Music Over the Rhine, performing live on stage Friday, April 25

8:00 pm

Saturday, April 26

2:00 pm

Saturday, April 26

8:00 pm

Aronoff Center | April 25–26, 2014 c balle t.org | 51 3.621 .528 2

C incinnati B allet N ew York to u r 2014 P r ese n ted by

May 6–11 | The Joyce Theater T i c k e t s o n s a l e D e c e mb e r , 2 0 1 3 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street JoyceCharge 212.242.0800 | Joyce.org

Gema Diaz & James Gilmer

Cincinnati Ballet dancers in Swan Lake

Grace Reeves in Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker

Zack Grubbs in Swan Lake

Patric Palkens in Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker

Courtney Hellebuyck in Infamous Love Songs

Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker

King Arthur’s Camelot Set Design by Joe Tilford

Oğulcan Borova & Janessa Touchet in Swan Lake

Cervilio Miguel Amador in The Kaplan New Works Series

All Performance Photography: Peter Mueller

Cincinnati Ballet digs into our own treasure chest of ballet and storybook classics to bring you delightful favorites that will elicit laughs, smiles and even get you up out of your seat to try a few moves of your own. Featuring CBII (Cincinnati Ballet’s Second Company), the hour-long performance is a great way to introduce youngsters to the joy of dance and experience the arts with the whole family. But hurry! There’s only one opportunity to see it.

Aronoff Center March 30, 2014 2:00 p m

Janessa Touchet & Cervilio Miguel Amador