American Repertory Ballet
At the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, 11 Livingston Avenue New Brunswick. www arballet.org
American Repertory Ballet’s season opens with WONDERMENT, a mixed bill of four unique and exciting dance works: Antony Tudor’s “Little Improvisations,” Lar Lubovitch’s “Something About Night,” the Swan Lake “Black Swan Pas de Deux and Coda,” and the world premiere of a new ballet choreographed by Ethan Stiefel, ARB’s artist in residence.
“Little Improvisations” depicts two children playing in an attic on a rainy day. Choreographed for one man and one woman, the ballet premiered at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in 1953 and features music by Robert Schumann.
“Something About Night” is “danced to Schubert’s tender choral songs about the mysteries of the heart,” says choreographer Lar Lubovitch. “‘Something About Night’ offers a glimpse into the art of stillness. An opportunity for the dancers and the viewers to share a moment of quiet in a world that has become profoundly noisy.”
“Black Swan Pas de Deux and Coda” is an excerpt from Act III of the classic ballet and tells the story of Prince Siegfried as he is seduced by Odile, the Black Swan, daughter of the evil Von Rothbart, and the doppelganger of Odette, the White Swan.
Stiefel’s new ballet is inspired by prolific baroque composer, conductor, and ballet dancer Jean Baptiste Lully and one of his protégés, Marin Marais. From Stiefel: “In the 1990s, I was introduced to, and mesmerized by, the viol or viola da gamba, particularly through the artistry and musicianship of Jordi Savall. Many years later, I have found myself in a place where the opportunity has arisen in which I can celebrate the many years of inspiration this music has provided to me. A chance to create a ballet that looks to imbue the drama, reverence and illuminations within the baroque musical and dance canon, although not necessarily by way of pursuing a completely historical or biographical approach to the movement.” $30 to $60. Friday, October 18, 7 p.m.; Saturday, October 19, 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday, October 20, 2 p.m.
Roxey Ballet
Mill Ballet School, 46 North Sugan Road, New Hope, Pennsylvania. www.roxeyballet.org
The New Hope-based ballet company presents “C-Word: Stories of Triumph Over Breast Cancer.” Originally developed through interviews with 22 women, choreographer Mark Roxey, along with the songwriting team of Robert Maggio and Matthew Hardy, used music, dance, and spoken word to capture the essence of the survivors’ lives and stories. $55. October 4 through 6 and 25 through 27.
McCarter Theater
91 University Place, Princeton. 609-258-2787 or www.mccarter.org.
Set to the intoxicating rhythms of conga, rumba, mambo, and more, Ballet Hispánico is renowned for celebrating the joy and diversity of Latinx culture through dance. $33 to $78. ] Saturday, September 28, 7:30 p.m.
In SW!NG OUT, superstar choreographer Caleb Teicheris is joined by collaborators Evita Arce, LaTasha Barnes, and Nathan Bugh, and more incredible dancers for Lindy Hop choreography and improvisation, all set to live music by the Eyal Vilner Big Band. The performance culminates in an on-stage jam session inviting the audience to join in on the fun. $33 to $78. Friday, October 25, 7:30 p.m.
State Theater
15 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick. 732-246-7469 or www.stnj.org.
The National Ballet of Ukraine comes from Kyiv with a program featuring timeless classics including “The Dying Swan,” “Don Quixote,” and “Giselle.” Sunday, October 13, 8 p.m.
See the next generation of ballet talent with the ABT Studio Company, the junior company of American Ballet Theatre, which is made up of 16 rising stars of the ballet world between the ages of 17 and 21. Friday, November 8, 7:30 p.m.
Princeton University
arts.princeton.edu
The annual Princeton Dance Festival features choreography by Rennie Harris, Raja Feather Kelly, Rebecca Lazier, Matthew Neenan, Yue Yin, and Stephen Petronio (staged by Davalois Fearon). Performances are held in McCarter’s Berlind Theater at 91 University Place, Princeton. $20. Friday, November 22, 8 p.m.; Saturday, November 23, 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, November 24, 2 p.m.
