North Carolina Dance Theatre's 2009-10 Season of Magnificent Moves concludes in May with Director's Choice, a concert of original and classic works chosen by President and Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux. The concert will feature an exciting first--the Charlotte premier of George Balanchine's brilliant master work, "Apollo."
Bonnefoux danced the role of Apollo with the Paris Opera Ballet and the Royal Danish Ballet, which gave him his first opportunity to meet Balanchine. "'Apollo' is one of Balanchine's masterpieces. ... I knew that if I wanted to get serious about going forward with my career, I had to work with Balanchine." Bonnefoux went on to dance with New York City Ballet for 10 years, where he met his wife and Associate Artistic Director, Patricia McBride. Ms. McBride is restaging "Apollo" for the company.
Dwight Rhoden, artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet and resident choreographer for North Carolina Dance Theatre, will present a world premier of his Symphony in Three Movements set to Stravinsky's music. Rhoden is a former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer whose works include NCDT's recent Othello and contemporary pieces for Fox TV's "So You Think You Can Dance."
The collection of works will include Constructing Juliet with choreography by Mark Godden. Set to Tchaikovsky's "Fantasy Overture," the piece emphasizes not the romance, but the family strife that presages the tragedy. The Charlotte Observer wrote, "…don't expect a nice period piece with lovers cooing from a moonlit balcony. Instead, what choreographer Mark Godden delivers is a gut-wrenching look at Juliet's struggle to break free from the hatred that's poisoned her family for generations."
Performance dates are May 13-15 at the Knight Theater. For more information, to see video clips of the pieces, and to purchase tickets, see Director's Choice.
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