Black Swan choreographer & New York icons open 2012 for RNZB

8 December 2011

Black Swan choreographer and New York icons open 2012 for RNZB

Royal New Zealand Ballet’s 2012 season opens in Auckland on 29 February with NYC – Three Short Ballets from the Big Apple, and then travels to six other NZ centres.

Artistic director Ethan Stiefel’s first programme for the company is a celebration of the city that never sleeps, and the place he has spent the past 22 years dancing as a professional.

“The New York dance scene is regarded as one of the world’s leaders. I’m excited to be sharing a slice of the Big Apple with New Zealand audiences,” says Stiefel.

The triple bill presents contrasting ballets by some of New York City’s most acclaimed and innovative choreographers of the past and present.

Newest on the block is one of the city’s most talented young choreographers, Larry Keigwin, commissioned by RNZB to create a new work on the company. Keigwin’s choreographic credentials range from off-Broadway shows to New York Fashion Week’s opening night event, produced by Vogue.

International ballet star Gillian Murphy makes her New Zealand debut as RNZB’s Principal Guest Artist in George Balanchine’s Who Cares? This classic ballet is set to Hershy Kay’s arrangements of George Gershwin’s popular songs.

28 Variations on a Theme by Paganini completes the line-up, giving NZ audiences a chance to see the work of the choreographer of Black Swan, live. Benjamin Millepied, who also starred in the Darren Aronofsky feature film, created this dynamic ballet in 2005 against Brahms’ compelling piano score.

SEASON DATES

NYC
Three short ballets from the Big Apple

Auckland
29 February – 3 March
Civic Theatre

Takapuna
6 & 7 March
Bruce Mason Centre

Hamilton
10 & 11 March
Founders Theatre

Ashburton
14 & 15 March
Ashburton Trust Event Centre

Dunedin
18 March
Regent Theatre

Wellington
22 – 25 March
St James Theatre

Napier
29 & 30 March
Napier Municipal Theatre

ENDS

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