Alabama Ballet to Present 36th Season Along with New Look
Birmingham, AL- Alabama Ballet’s 2017-2018 Season opens this fall on September 15. Highlights of the 2017-2018 Season include: the mixed repertory performance, Ovation in October, the traditional performances of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® during December, the timeless classic Swan Lake in March and a light-hearted, comedic performance entitled La Fille Mal Gardée in April. Season ticket subscriptions go on sale July 17 and individual tickets on August 1.
The season opens with Alabama Ballet At Home, a home studio performance of selected repertoire that offers a chance to see the dancers perform in an intimate atmosphere with complimentary drinks and an affordable ticket price at $25. At Home is a great way to introduce friends and family to the excitement of live ballet performance in the company’s own studio located in the Lakeview District of Southside, Birmingham.
In October, Alabama Ballet presents a mixed-repertory performance, Ovation, with choreography by Associate Artistic Director Roger Van Fleteren performed at the BJCC Theater. The company will perform a variety of contemporary ballets featuring Études, a one-act ballet. Études is considered homage to classical ballet training. It begins with traditional ballet exercises at the barre and ends with spectacular bravura displays.
In December, Alabama Ballet proudly presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® at the Leslie S. Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University. The Alabama Ballet remains one of only eight companies in the world granted the rights to perform this holiday classic by The Balanchine Trust. Performed to Balanchine’s exacting specifications; dazzling choreography, opulent costumes and extravagant sets make this production unlike any other. Tchaikovsky’s beloved melodies transport the young and young at heart to a magical world where mischievous mice besiege a battalion of toy soldiers, and an onstage blizzard leads to an enchanted Land of Sweets. This production is sponsored by Baker Donelson.
In March, the company presents Swan Lake, one of the most timeless and classic ballets. Alabama Ballet will be joined by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for the performances. The tragic love story follows Odette, a beautiful princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse, whose fate is to swim in a lake filled with tears. Only in the hours of darkness may she assume her human guise, but her spell can only be broken by a prince who swears his eternal love and devotion to her. Swan Lake is one of the greatest works in ballet history, set to the music of Tchaikovsky. Swan Lake will be presented at the BJCC Concert Hall. This production is sponsored by The Hugh Kaul Foundation.
La Fille Mal Gardée (The Wayward Daughter), a light-hearted and comedic ballet, is scheduled for April at the BJCC Theater. La Fille Mal Gardée is the story of Lise, the only daughter of Widow Simone. Lise loves Colas, a young farmer – but her mother has far more ambitious plans, and is determined that Lise marry Alain, the son of a wealthy landowner. Alain seems as uninterested in marrying Lise as Lise is in marrying Alain. Widow Simone persists on making the match until eventually her good nature gets the better of her, and she gives Lise and Colas her blessing.
“This season brings an exciting variety of works, from classic to contemporary and timeless to never before seen,” said Tracey Alvey, Artistic Director of Alabama Ballet. “It offers a little something for everyone – comedy, tragedy, family friendly and one-of-a-kind. I look forwarding to bringing these performances along with a wealth of talent to this year’s stage.”
Along with an exciting new season, Alabama Ballet is proud to present its brand new look. Alabama Ballet worked closely with Mason+Dixon, based in Birmingham, to direct and build their rebranding efforts. Mason+Dixon worked to create a new logo, a one-of-a-kind font, images and a website. The strategy behind the rebrand came down to functionality and a brand re-fresh. With the rebrand, also comes exciting changes including a slate of new dancers and a move to BJCC as one of their performance venues.
Alabama Ballet season tickets can be purchased online at www.alabamaballet.org or by calling the Alabama Ballet office at 205.322.4300. Season subscriptions go on sale July 17 and cost $230. A season subscription ensures premium seating with priority selection and includes several other benefits. Season subscriptions include a ticket to Ovation, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, Swan Lake, and La Fille Mal Gardée. Tickets to At Home are available for an additional charge of $25. Tickets go on sale to the general public on August 1 and can be purchased online, by phone at 1-800-745-3000 or at the box office. Show ticket prices range from $30-$65.
About Alabama Ballet
The Alabama Ballet is the state’s premiere professional ballet company. The company has achieved national prominence as one of only eight ballet companies in the world permitted by the Balanchine Trust to perform Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®. The Alabama Ballet promotes the development of classical and contemporary ballet through high quality performances, dance education and community outreach. Education and outreach activities include CityDance, which provides 16 weeks of dance training for youth from the city of Birmingham and Jefferson County. The Alabama Ballet is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. For more information, visit www.alabamaballet.org.