In a convergence of musical mastery, athletic prowess, and balletic finesse, BalletMet opens its 2023-2024 season with a trio of company premieres by American choreographers Twyla Tharp, Justin Peck, and Ulysses Dove.
On Stage, the name of the program, features Nine Sinatra Songs, The Times Are Racing, and Vespers, where the timeless melodies of Sinatra, a sneaker ballet, and audacious athleticism are sure to appeal to Columbus audiences.
BalletMet Opens 2023-2024 Season
BalletMet opens the evening with Tharp’s iconic Nine Sinatra Songs. This piece unfolds the intricate tapestry of love through seven distinct couples, each representing a unique facet of romantic relationships.
The stage will come alive with the sultry rhythms of tangos, the vivacity of cha-chas, and the elegant sweeps of waltzes, all expertly woven together to showcase the spectrum of human connection.
A departure from classical ballet tradition, Peck’s The Times Are Racing takes center stage, a work that shatters conventions with its sneaker-clad dancers sporting streetwear styles.
Set to the pulsating beats of Dan Deacon’s electronic score, America, the performance promises a kinetic explosion of energy that mirrors the invigorating music, pushing the boundaries of what ballet can be.
Vespers, originally created by Dove in 1986 for the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, adds a dramatic touch to the evening.
Inspired by Dove’s cherished memories of his grandmother’s place of worship, this powerful ballet features six female dancers will exhibit athleticism in synchrony with Mikel Rouse’s evocative electronic score.
In line with the company’s effort to make dance more accessible to the community, BalletMet opens its expanded Rush Ticket Program which now includes teachers as well as students.
The will also have a Pay What You Want program where the purchase of discounted tickets to select performances will support BalletMet’s productions, education, and scholarships.
“Ticket prices shouldn’t stand in the way of experiencing art,” said Sue Porter, BalletMet’s executive director. “We want ballet to be accessible to anyone who wants to see it, and we hope the Pay What You Want performances will allow people to join us for any and every show this season.”
All performances of BalletMet’s On Stage program will be held at Davidson Theatre in Columbus, Ohio.
- Friday, 10/13 at 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, 10/14 at 8:00 p.m.
- Sunday, 10/15 at 2:00 p.m.
- Thursday, 10/19 at 7:30 p.m.
- Friday, 10/20 at 8:00 p.m.
- Saturday, 10/21 8:00 p.m.
Featured Photo for BalletMet’s On Stage program of Joffrey Ballet’s Jeraldine Mendoza in Justin Peck’s The Times are Racing. Photo by Cheryl Mann.
