The New York City Ballet 2023 Fall Season at the David H. Koch Theater, titled “To Explore the Foundation of NYCB’s Unparalleled Repertory”, is solely dedicated to one of its founding fathers: George Balanchine.
From September 19 through October 15, NYC ballet audiences will be privy not only to the company’s world class performances but a series of additional events that further add to the celebration of New York City Ballet’s 75th anniversary season.
The season opens with Balanchine’s Jewels, recognized as being the first three-act abstract ballet ever created, and is followed by three weeks showcasing the choreographer’s contribution to NYCB and beyond.
New York City Ballet 2023 Fall Season Schedule
Jewels | September 19-24, 2023
David H. Koch Theater
- Jewels by George Balanchine
All Balanchine I | September 26 – October 3, 2023
David H. Koch Theater
- Western Symphony by George Balanchine
- The Unanswered Question by George Balanchine
- Tarantella by George Balanchine
- Stars and Stripes by George Balanchine
All Balanchine II | September 29 – October 1, 2023
David H. Koch Theater
- Bourrée Fantasque by George Balanchine
- Agon by George Balanchine
- Slaughter on Tenth Avenue by George Balanchine
All Balanchine III | October 4-8, 2023
David H. Koch Theater
- Apollo by George Balanchine
- La Sonnambula by George Balanchine
- Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 2 by George Balanchine
All Balanchine IV | October 7-15, 2023
David H. Koch Theater
- Concerto Barocco by George Balanchine
- Prodigal Son by George Balanchine
- Symphony in C by George Balanchine
All Balanchine V | October 10-14, 2023
David H. Koch Theater
- Serenade by George Balanchine
- Orpheus by George Balanchine
- Theme and Variations by George Balanchine
75th Anniversary | October 11, 2023
David H. Koch Theater
- Concerto Barocco by George Balanchine
- Orpheus by George Balanchine
- Symphony in C by George Balanchine
New York City Ballet 2023 Fall Season Special Events
September 19, 2023: Opening Night Celebration and Alumni Tribute
The opening night performance of Jewels will include a special one-time-only tribute to the more than 750 dancers who have performed with New York City Ballet since its inception with more than 250 alumni dancers in attendance for the evening’s performance.
September 18 to Sunday, October 1, 2023: SlowDancing/NYCB
Launching the Company’s 75th Anniversary year, SlowDancing/NYCB is a large scale video installation by artist David Michalek which will be displayed each night from Monday, September 18 through Sunday, October 1 on the façade of the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.
The 50-plus films that comprise SlowDancing/NYCB will be displayed in a continuous loop on a triptych of screens each night from 7pm to 11:30pm, is free and open to the public.
Co-directed by Wendy Whelan, NYCB’s Associate Artistic Director, the installation will feature more than 50 hyper slow-moving images of 20 of NYCB’s current dancers performing iconic moments from the Company’s unparalleled repertory.
More than 30 ballets will be included, from George Balanchine’s Apollo and Prodigal Son, created in 1928 and 1929 respectively, to one of the Company’s most recent creations, Justin Peck’s Copland Dance Episodes, which premiered in January 2023.
September 30, 2023: Discover NYCB at 75
The day’s events will include two free presentations on the stage of the David H. Koch Theater.
- From noon to 1pm, audiences are invited to observe an onstage Company Class, the training practice that begins every rehearsal and performance day at NYCB, led by NYCB Repertory Director Gonzalo Garcia.
- From 5 to 6pm, the Company will present an onstage lecture demonstration program with members of the Company offering insights and performing excerpts from NYCB’s repertory. Excerpts will be performed in costume and repertory will include “Rubies” from Jewels, Stars and Stripes, and George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®, among other Balanchine works.
Preceding both performance on September 30, at 2pm and 8pm, a jazz trio comprised of members of the NYCB Orchestra will perform on the David H. Koch Theater Promenade from 1-1:45pm before the matinee and 7-7:45pm before the evening performance.
In addition to the Company’s special Discover NYCB at 75 programming, NYCB will also offer a series of its traditional educational programs on Saturday, September 30 including:
- Ballet Essentials movement workshop from 10:30-11:45am, for teens and adults;
- Children’s Access Workshop from 11am 12pm, for children with physical disabilities and movement disorders;
- In Motion movement workshop from 12:30-1:15pm, for children ages 8 to 12.
October 5, 2023: NYCB Fall Gala
This year’s Fall Gala honors the Company’s co-Founding Choreographers, fashion, and New York City.
An annual celebration of dance and fashion, for this year’s Fall Gala, excerpts from Balanchine’s Who Cares? will feature new costume designs by Wes Gordon for Carolina Herrera.
The gala evening will also feature a performance of Jerome Robbins’ Glass Pieces, set to the music of Philip Glass.
NYCB’s annual Fall Gala celebration of ballet and fashion was conceived by NYCB Board Vice Chair Sarah Jessica Parker, and launched in 2012 with a gala celebration of the legendary designer Valentino. The Chairs for the 2023 edition of the event will include Parker and co-Chairs Georgina Bloomberg, Andy Cohen, Laverne Cox, Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy, Jill Kargman, Diane Kruger, Mazdack and Zanna Rassi, Jordan Roth, Lizzie Tisch, Naomi Watts, Elaine Welteroth, and Scott Wittman.
October 11, 2023: NYCB Recreates Inaugural Performance
NYCB’s first performance took place on October 11, 1948 at City Center for Music and Drama, which served as the Company’s New York City performance venue until 1964 when NYCB moved to its current home, the David H. Koch Theater (formerly the New York State Theater), at Lincoln Center.
On Wednesday, October 11, 2023, the Company will re-create that historic night with a performance featuring Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, Orpheus, and Symphony in C.
Featured Photo for the New York City Ballet 2023 Fall season of Isabella LeFreniere and Sara Mearns in George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco. Photo by Erin Baiano.
