2017-2018 SEASON GUIDE
George Balanchine’s Rubies
W E L C O M E T O O U R 4 0 TH S E A S O N Forty years ago, Christine Hennessey and Winthrop Corey saw a bright future for the company they founded, envisioning a “welltrained, artistically sophisticated company that will bring to Rhode Island audiences the best in classical ballet.” I’m proud that this season offers the embodiment of that vision, with thrilling stories, unique creations, and beloved audience favorites.
© 2017 Festival Ballet Providence 825 Hope St., Providence RI 02906 www.festivalballetprovidence.org A non-profit 501(c)(3) organization Photos by Zaire Kacz Photography unless otherwise noted. Layout and design by Dylan Giles.
From vivid, breathtaking creations in the Black Box to shimmering masterworks on stage at The Vets and PPAC, there’s something for everyone in our 40th Season. I hope you will join us and get swept away in the drama and artistry that has made this company shine for four remarkable decades. Experience all that dance has to offer— from drama to delight—at Festival Ballet Providence this season!
Cover: Kirsten Evans and Alan Alberto. Rubies choreography by George Balanchine. © George Balanchine Trust.
Mihailo Djuric Artistic Director
L-R: Bryce Mitchell, Eugenia Zinovieva, Kirsten Evans, Jordan Nelson
Festival Ballet Providence
PIPPI
Black Box Theatre
Sept. 30-Oct. 8, 2017
THE WIDOW’S BROOM Oct. 27-29, 2017
UP CLOSE ON HOPE
Black Box Theatre
Nov. 10-19, 2017 | Program 1
THE NUTCRACKER Dec. 15-17, 2017
DIRECTOR’S CHOICE Feb. 9-11, 2018 | Mixed Repertory
THE LITTLE PRINCE
Black Box Theatre
UP CLOSE ON HOPE
Black Box Theatre
March 3-11, 2018
March 9-18, 2018 | Program 2
LITTLE MERMAID April 27-29, 2018
FBP Black Box Theatre One Avenue of the Arts Providence RI 02903
220 Weybosset St. Providence RI 02903
825 Hope St. Providence RI 02906
401-421-ARTS or TheVetsRI.com
401-421-ARTS or PPACRI.org
401-353-1129 or festivalballetprovidence.org
Non-subscription tickets can be purchased directly through each venue. SEASON 40
MAINSTAGE
Photo by Thomas Nola-Rion. Imaging by Antonio Cortez. Artwork by Chris Van Allsburg.
Karla Kovatch
THE WIDOW’S BROOM
Oct. 27-29, 2017
What happens when a witch is separated from her broom? Just in time for Halloween, the delightfully spooky story by Chris Van Allsburg, designed by Tony Award-winner Eugene Lee, returns to the stage. When a witch’s worn-out broom is left behind in a lonely widow’s garden, it becomes part of the family to the growing distrust of her neighbors. Burning passion is met with clever deception as the haunting story unfolds before your eyes.
Music: Aleksandra Vrebalov Choreography: Viktor Plotnikov
PACKAGE 3 Festival Ballet Providence
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MAINSTAGE
Feb. 9-11, 2018
DIRECTOR’S CHOICE
WITH LIVE MUSIC!
Celebrate dance with three masterworks of choreography It’s a program that only artistic director Mihailo Djuric could assemble, showcasing the skill and range of this masterful company, now in its 40th year. The mixed repertory program includes a world premiere with live music from members of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.
THE AMERICAN
Music: Antonín Dvořák Choreography: Christopher Wheeldon
RUBIES
Music: Igor Stravinsky Choreography: George Balanchine
THE SOLDIER’S TALE (World Premiere) Featuring live music from RI Philharmonic musicians Music: Igor Stravinsky Choreography: Viktor Plotnikov Conductor: Alexey Shabalin
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Kirsten Evans and Jordan Nelson SEASON 40
MAINSTAGE
Brenna DiFrancesco
LITTLE MERMAID
April 27-29, 2018
Dive into an underwater world! The Hans Christian Anderson tale comes to life with imaginative choreography from Mark Diamond and extraordinary sets and costumes. You are sure to delight in this classic story featuring the beautiful Little Mermaid, her silly sea friends, the feisty Sea Witch and a handsome Prince. Join in on the splashy adventure as the Little Mermaid becomes part of our world!
Choreography: Mark Diamond
PACKAGE 3 Festival Ballet Providence
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PACKAGE 5
BLACK BOX
Nov. 10-19, 2017 Black Box Theatre
UP CLOSE ON HOPE
PROGRAM 1, Mixed Repertory
FBP’s beloved Black Box Theatre series treats audiences to a unique selection of works, viewed from a perspective unlike any other. The mixed program will feature works by Mihailo Djuric, Mary Ellen Beaudreau and others.
PACKAGE 1 PACKAGE 4 PACKAGE 5
Eugenia Zinovieva
March 9-18, 2018 Black Box Theatre
UP CLOSE ON HOPE
PROGRAM 2, Lady of the Camellias, other works Gripping and powerful, the story of the courtesan and her ill-fated romance, as death consumes her, plays out with remarkable effect.
Music: Franz Schubert Choreography: Gianni Di Marco The mixed program will also feature works by yon Tande, Kurt Douglas and others.
PACKAGE 1 PACKAGE 4 PACKAGE 5
Jennifer Ricci and Boyko Dossev SEASON 40
BLACK BOX
Sept. 30-Oct. 8, 2017 Black Box Theatre
PIPPI
chatterBOXtheatre With strength and spunk in equal measure, Pippi—originally created by Colleen Cavanaugh in 1999 for Cadence Dance Project and last presented in 2009 for FBP’s chatterBOXtheatre series—packs a punch, telling the story of the famously freckled redhead and her adventures.
Music: W.A. Mozart, Ottorino Respighi Choreography: Colleen Cavanaugh
PACKAGE 2 Tegan Rich
March 3-11, 2018 Black Box Theatre
THE LITTLE PRINCE chatterBOXtheatre
Back by popular demand, the breathtaking multimedia production sweeps audiences away with cinematic elements including an original stopmotion animation.
Artwork by Michele Gutlove
Music: Maxime Goulet Choreography: Boyko Dossev
PACKAGE 2
Festival Ballet Providence
Kailee Felix
Artwork by Sylvie Mayer
MAINSTAGE
THE NUTCRACKER
Dec. 15-17, 2017
Relish the magic and splendor of the holidays Join Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on a magical journey that has delighted audiences for forty years! BroadwayWorld.com calls this production “the crowning jewel of the Rhode Island fine arts season.� Cherish the magnificent sets, elegant costumes, and world-class dancing!
Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Choreography: Mihailo Djuric SEASON 40
EVEN MORE
ON TOUR UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE After more than 15 years away from the Granite State, FBP returns with its unique vibrant artistry and stunning athleticism for an evening of dance you won’t forget!
April 7, 2018, 7:00pm Tickets: (603) 862-7222 or cola.unh.edu/celebrity-series UNH Johnson Theatre 30 Academic Way, Durham, NH 03824
Elizabeth Mochizuki
IN YOUR COMMUNITY LIBRARY WORKSHOPS Our popular workshops engage hundreds of children every season with interactive demonstrations, crafts, and storytelling. Visit our facebook for details.
Photo courtesy:
PART OF THE OATH FBP works with teens and tweens to utilize power of words and movement as a vehicle to express issues relevant to their health and wellbeing such as gender identity, bullying, body image and race. Call 401-490-5631 for more information.
NPS Photo/Ja son Taylor
CHARACTERS AROUND TOWN Follow along as The Nutcracker and other characters from our story ballets visit local stores, libraries, and businesses in the area. Visit our facebook for details.
SAVE THE DATE
“Part of the Oath” performance in New Bedford
Details and formal invitations forthcoming
MAGICAL SEASON KICKOFF
Kick off a magical season with us and magician Joel Acevedo who will dazzle and delight with his amazing show like nothing you’ve ever seen before!
October 14, 2017 Black Box Theatre
40TH SEASON GALA
Join us and raise a glass in celebration of forty remarkable years of art in motion. Enjoy dinner, drinks, and dancing as we celebrate our history and ensure the future for Festival Ballet!
Guests at FBP’s 2016 Black & White Gala Festival Ballet Providence
April 30, 2018 Pawtucket Armory
SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE
• Access to the best seats at the best prices before they go on sale to the public • Priority pre-sale seating for The Nutcracker • Avoid per-ticket convenience fees • Free exchanges*, lost ticket reprinting • Discounted add-on tickets throughout the season • ALL ACCESS SUBSCRIBERS - INCLUDES PARKING PASS at The Vets, plus exclusive invitations to open rehearsal events. Invest in a season of iconic works as an All Access Subscriber. Your tax deductible donation** underwrites our richly diverse portfolio of works. To express our gratitude we will bring you behind the scenes with exclusive VIP rehearsal events. Plus, you’ll receive a Parking Pass† for our events at The Vets!
SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES PACKAGE 1
PACKAGE 2
Up Close on Hope Series
chatterBOXtheatre Series
Up Close on Hope Program 1 (Nov. 2017) Up Close on Hope Program 2 (March 2018)
Pippi (Sept.-Oct. 2017) The Little Prince (March 2018)
$88 - 2 programs
$44/$26 - 2 programs ADULT/CHILD
PACKAGE 3
PACKAGE 4
The Vets Series
Mix & Match: Up Close + Pick Two Vets
The Widow’s Broom (Oct. 2017) Director’s Choice (Feb. 2018) Little Mermaid (April 2018)
Up Close on Hope Program 1 (Nov. 2017) Up Close on Hope Program 2 (March 2018)
$58.50 - $216 - 3 programs
The Widow’s Broom (Oct. 2017) Director’s Choice (Feb. 2018) Little Mermaid (April 2018)
Plus pick TWO of:
$123-$228 - 4 programs
PACKAGE 5
AGE 5 PACK
SAVE % 21-22 RICE
ULL P
OFF F
Up Close on Hope Series + The Vets Series
The Widow’s Broom (Oct. 2017) Up Close on Hope Program 1 (Nov. 2017) Director’s Choice (Feb. 2018) Up Close on Hope Program 2 (March 2017) Little Mermaid (April 2018) $132-$279 - 5 programs
3 WAYS TO SUBSCRIBE: By Phone 401-353-1129 (9:00a-5:00p M-F)
Online˄ festivalballetprovidence.org Performances>2017-18 Season
In Person 825 Hope St., Providence RI (9:00a-5:00p, M-F)
* Exchanges can be made until 48 hours prior to curtain time for the tickets you wish to exchange. ** Tax deductible less fair market value of goods/services provided ($36). † All Access parking pass valid for one (1) vehicle access to Vets parking lot per Vets program. ˄ Patrons requesting specific seats within a section for mainstage programs should place order by phone or in person.
SEASON 40
Sponsors
Elizabeth Mochizuki
f t FestBalletProv
FestivalBalletProvidence
825 Hope St. Providence RI 02906
2017-2018 SEASON GUIDE
CARLE PLACE, NY PERMIT #35
PAID
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