Performing Artscenter
Announces
Updates to
The American Ballet Theatre engagement at the Orange County Performing Artscenter in 2008 will feature the West Coast premiere of a new ballet by Twyla Tharp – a co-commission with the Center – on August 6 in Segerstrom Hall. The world premiere will be in New York on June 3. Set to a commissioned score by Danny Elfman, the new ballet will include costumes by designer Norma Kamali and lighting by Brad Fields.
“We are thrilled to join ABT, one of our longest and most important artistic collaboratiors, in commissioning this new ballet,” said Center President Terrence W. Dwyer. “One aspect of being a great arts center is to be a part of the creation of new work, and this is a natural evolution of our long-standing commitment to dance and our great partnership with ABT.”
To accommodate ABT’s tour schedule, the Orange County Performing Artscenter performances have been rescheduled to August 6–10, 2008, rather than July 29–August 3, 2008 as originally announced. Subscribers to the Performing Artscenter’s International Dance Series are being contacted to arrange ticket exchanges. This engagement will mark American Ballet Theatre’s 20th appearance at the Performing Artscenter, which has virtually become the company’s West Coast home.
The world’s leading choreographer of contemporary dance, Twyla Tharp continues to create works for leading companies around the world. The Tharp/Elfman collaboration marks her fifteenth work for American Ballet Theatre. Tharp’s association with the Company began in 1976 when she choreographed Push Comes to Shove. Her previous work for ABT was The Brahms-Haydn Variations, originally entitled Variations on a Theme by Haydn, in 2000.
The Tharp/Elfman collaboration will be Danny Elfman’s first composition for ballet. A three-time Academy Award®-nominated film composer, Elfman has created the scores for nearly 50 feature films including 12 with longtime collaborator Tim Burton. Elfman has scored such diverse films as Batman, Beetlejuice, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Chicago, Edward Scissorhands and Midnight Run, as well as the theme music for television’s The Simpsons and Desperate Housewives, among others.
Harald Lander’s Études will share the program with Twyla Tharp’s new work. Last performed by ABT in 2000, Études is set to music by Knudage Riisager, after Carl Czerny, and features costumes by Rolf Gerard and lighting by Nananne Porcher. The ballet was given its world premiere by the Royal Danish Ballet in 1948 and was danced by ABT for the first time in 1961. The revival of Études will be staged for ABT by Susan Jones.
Tango Buenos Aires | Performing Artscenter Debut
November 9–11, 2007
Experience the authentic tango spirit – seductive, sensual and invigorating. Tango Buenos Aires has become one of Argentina’s great cultural exports, known throughout the Americas, Europe and the Far East as the most authentic and uncompromising representation of Tango. The Washington Post says, “… swirling, fast-paced tapestries of movement, laced with proud postures and sensual couplings.” Rhythms
Diana Vishneva: Beauty in Motion | World Premiere
February 13–17, 2008
Following the phenomenal success of Kings of Dance, the Performing Artscenter presents another world premiere dance co-production with Ardani Artists showcasing an international dance superstar. Diana Vishneva is one of the world’s most glamorous and extraordinary dancers, worthy of this tribute. As the San Francisco Chronicle states: “Few ballerinas in recent memory have created quite a stir as the Kirov Ballet's Diana Vishneva.” The prima ballerina will perform a program of new ballets created for her by three distinct choreographers: Alexei Ratmansky, Moses Pendleton and Dwight Rhoden. Joining her for this world premiere will be members of the Kirov Opera, Ballet and Orchestra – and special guest artist Desmond Richardson.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
March 11–16, 2008
Judith Jamison, artistic director; Masazumi Chaya, associate artistic director
Few companies electrify an audience like the dancers of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – “the most gorgeous dancing you ever did see,” as New York Magazine wrote. Their phenomenal energy and commitment create life-affirming experiences. The always-astonishing Ailey returns to The Center with an array of classics and new works by today’s most inventive choreographers.
Teatro Alla Scala Ballet
June 17–22, 2008
Paolo Arcà, artistic director
The Orange County Performing Artscenter is proud to welcome the return of La Scala Ballet – the resident company of one of the world’s most esteemed theaters. Dance Magazine says, “the Scala dancing was masterly throughout.” The company’s original style and spectacular fashion are the result of long and fruitful associations with some of the greatest names in ballet. Today’s La Scala epitomizes a company built on an illustrious history with a vision and view to the future.
American Ballet Theatre
August 6–10, 2008
Kevin McKenzie, artistic director
“One of the most beautiful sights in dance is American Ballet Theatre in full flight,” says New York Post. Performing Artscenter audiences love ABT, and ABT loves the Performing Artscenter. ABT will perform the West Coast premiere of a co-commission with the Center: a new work by Twyla Tharp with score by Danny Elfman. Also on the program will be Harald Lander’s Études. The brilliant company and its galaxy of dance superstars captivate audiences with every move, whether enchantingly subtle or larger-than-life bravura.
Artists and programs are subject to change.
The Orange County Performing Artscenter is a private, non-profit organization. “Orange County Performing Artscenter” is a California registered trademark.
Orange County Performing Artscenter
The Orange County Performing Artscenter is committed to supporting artistic excellence on all of its stages and engaging the entire community in new and exciting ways through an array of inspiring programs.
It owns and operates the 3,000-seat Segerstrom Hall and intimate 250-seat Founders Hall, which opened in 1986, and the 2,000-seat Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, which opened in 2006 and also houses the 500-seat Samueli Theater and the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge Education Center. These state-of-the-art facilities are united by a community arts plaza and outdoor performance venue.
The Performing Artscenter’s Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, along with facilities of the adjacent Tony® Award-winning South Coast Repertory and a site for a future visual arts museum, are located within Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
The Orange County Performing Artscenter presents a broad range of programming each season, including international ballet and dance, national tours of top Broadway shows, intimate performances of jazz and cabaret, contemporary artists, classical music performed by renowned chamber orchestras and ensembles, family-friendly programming, free performances open to the public from outdoor movie screenings and dancing on the plaza to many other special events.
It offers many programs designed to inspire young people through the arts. These programs reach more than 500,000 students of all ages with vital arts-in-education programs, enhancing their studies and enriching their lives well into the future.
The Orange County Performing Artscenter is proud to serve as the artistic home to the region’s major performing arts organizations: Pacific Symphony, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, Opera Pacific and the Pacific Chorale.
The Center’s International Dance Series has been made possible by Audrey Steele Burnand. The Lead Sponsors for the 2007-2008 Season are Jane and Jim Driscoll. Additional support has been provided by Segerstrom Foundation Endowment for Great Performances and Ameriprise Financial. Los Angeles Times is the exclusive media partner. Mercedes-Benz is a Presenting Sponsor of the Orange County Performing Artscenter’s 2007-2008 Season.
Single tickets for American Ballet Theatre will be $25-$95 and go on sale June 22, 2008 at the Orange County Performing Artscenter Box Office at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa, by calling 714.556.2787 or online at www.OCPAC. For inquiries about group ticket discounts, call the Performing Artscenter Group Sales office at 714.755.0236. The TTY number is 714.556.2746.
For more information, visit www.OCPAC.org.
