SPAC Reawakens!
George Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Photo courtesy of SPAC.
The amphitheater stage comes alive with appearances by New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra
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fter more than a year of a shuttered, silent amphitheater stage, Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) lifts the curtain on its 2021 season, inviting audiences back to its beautiful grounds for live performances by resident companies New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. A popular concert lineup presented by Live Nation including performances by Trey Anastasio and Dave Matthews Band and worldclass productions including the musical Man of La Mancha by Opera Saratoga will round out the summer cultural offerings. More than just a performance, a visit to SPAC is an immersive experience combining the Center’s natural setting – the perfect confluence of man-made and natural beauty – with world-class artistry. SPAC events will be presented in compliance with the current 32 | SIMPLY SARATOGA | SUMMER 2021
guidelines from the Governor of New York to ensure the health and safety of artists, audience members and staff. For more information, please visit spac.org/covid-guidelines. HIGHLIGHTS! NEW YORK CITY BALLET “NYCB ON AND OFF STAGE” An intimate, up-close look at selected excerpts from the Company’s extraordinary repertory of ballets. Never before been presented for Saratoga audiences, NYCB On and Off Stage will showcase two distinct programs suitable for audiences of all ages. Both programs will feature an ensemble of fifteen New York City Ballet dancers in costume performing excerpts from the Company's worldrenowned repertory, alongside insights from Principal Dancers and live musical accompaniment provided by pianists from NYCB. The presentations will be approximately 75 minutes long with no intermission.
“Bringing this intimate presentation to SPAC marks an emotional and historic moment for us and our community. Not only are we thrilled to once again see live dance on our stage, but we also have the opportunity to experience highlights from the company’s repertory in a completely fresh and new way for the first time in our 55-years together,” says Elizabeth Sobol, President and CEO of Saratoga Performing Arts Center. "Our devoted ballet fans and newcomers alike, will delight in seeing excerpts from Balanchine's most iconic works and some of the company's beloved story ballets, alongside unique commentary directly from the NYCB Principal Dancers." SHORT STORIES: July 14 & July 15 • 7:30 p.m. July 17 • 2 p.m. Short Stories explores beloved narrative ballets like Firebird, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Sleeping Beauty, Swan Lake, Western Symphony, Fancy Free, and The Concert. saratogaTODAYnewspaper.com
