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KANSAS CITY, MO (March 23, 2009) – Kansas City Ballet’s 51st season concludes May 7 through 10, 2009, at the Lyric Theatre with three one-act ballets: the World Premiere of William Whitener’s Salute, Karole Armitage’s World Premiere and an encore production of Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs. Musical selections from the Spring Performance are available at iMix Tunes link on www.kcballet.org.
Salute
The Spring Performance opens with the World Premiere of Salute, choreographed by Kansas City Ballet’s Artistic Director William Whitener featuring the music of Arthur Smith, Scott Joplin and Jean-Baptist Arban. This piece, the 11th Whitener has created for Kansas City Ballet, has an even greater significance for the Company. This work will honor the 21-year career of Company member Christopher Barksdale, who retires from the company at the conclusion of this season having spent his entire career with Kansas City Ballet. The piece will feature the full Company. “Honoring Chris’ extraordinary career, solely with Kansas City Ballet, is only fitting as his career mirrors those qualities as well,” said Whitener. Kansas City Ballet Music Director Ramona Pansegrau notes the selection of the music. “Mr. Whitener has chosen to use turn of the 20th century cornet music in this piece. Mr. Whitener’s use of this music is delightful, showing both his choreographic prowess and sense of humor.” She adds, “This work will showcase the men of the company, utilizing the pyrotechnics of the brass playing to enhance the technical feats of the Kansas City Ballet.”
World Premiere
The Spring Performance will continue with a World Premiere work by the award-winning Karole Armitage, a native of Lawrence, Kan., known throughout the world as one of the leading choreographers of her generation. Her first work for Kansas City Ballet is sure to add new twists to her reputation. “I am planning a very dreamy, lyrical work that is far from punk,” said Armitage. “I want to take people on a beautiful journey with Cantus Arcticus that allows the imagination to soar.”
The music that Armitage has chosen, Cantus Arcticus, op. 61 (subtitled Concerto for Birds and Orchestra) by celebrated Einojuhani Rautavaara, incorporates tape recordings of birdsong recorded near the Arctic Circle and in the bogs of northern Finland. The work is in three movements – each sampling different birdsong and orchestral sonorities. Audience members may take special note of the haunting second movement, entitled “Melancholy”, featuring slowed-down recordings of the song of the shore lark and the final movement, featuring the sounds of migrating whooper swans. At the end, both the birdsong and orchestra fade, as if into the distance.
Armitage began her career dancing George Balanchine’s choreography as a member of Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève. After joining Merce Cunningham’s troupe in the late 1970s, she formed her own dance ensemble. She began to receive international notice as a dancer/choreographer in the early 1980s with a series of modern dances accompanied by punk rock music. Recent collaborators include British composer Thomas Adès and American artist Jeff Koons. Over the last twenty-five years, Armitage has had the opportunity to work with a wide range of artists, from the pop star Madonna, to filmmakers Merchant and Ivory, to painter David Salle, to fashion designer Christian Lacroix and composer, György Ligeti. Known for choreographing “Vogue” for Madonna and “In the Closet” for Michael Jackson, her choice of both music and movement for the premiere piece is certain to energize audiences. She is currently the Artistic Director of Armitage Gone! Dance, a company she founded in 2005. She was recently honored with France’s most prestigious award, the Commandeur dans L’ordre des Arts et des Lettres, in recognition of significant contributions to the arts or literature. Currently, she has choregraphed a new production of HAIR, which opens on Broadway this spring after a smash-hit run at Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre last summer. This World Premiere, featuring the women of the Company and one male dancer, is partially underwritten by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Nine Sinatra Songs
Nine Sinatra Songs, choreographed by the internationally renowned American Choreographer and 2008 Kennedy Center Award honoree Twyla Tharp, will conclude the program. Twyla Tharp is regarded as one of the most successful choreographers in contemporary history. Her choreography is characterized by wit, inventiveness and physical vigor. The daring of her movement style and her frequent use of American popular music have made her dances widely popular around the world. Nine Sinatra Songs, premiered by Kansas City Ballet to wild acclaim in Spring 2004, is an elegant and cheeky piece that views the social dancing of the 1950s through the nostalgic yet sharpened eyes of the 1980s. The basic unit of each dancing couple includes Tharp's reinforcement of the traditional ballroom dance by giving dominance to the female dancer. Oscar de la Renta collaborated with Tharp to design the beautifully distinctive evening attire, giving a double edged look of both present and previous eras. Featuring songs sung by Frank Sinatra including Strangers in the Night, All the Way, That’s Life, One for My Baby, Softly as I Leave You, Somethin’ Stupid, Forget Domani and My Way, this piece has been performed on Broadway, at the White House and abroad. William Whitener, whose career as a performer was largely tied to the Twyla Tharp Company following eight years with the Joffrey Ballet, will stage the work.
Sponsors
Kansas City’s 2008-2009 season is supported by the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation, Hallmark Corporate Foundation, the Missouri Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, the ArtsKC Fund, and the Kansas City Ballet Guild. Media sponsors include: The Kansas City Star, 98.1 KUDL, and KSHB TV Action News.
Related Karole Armitage Event
On Thursday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m. renowned dancer and choreographer Karole Armitage will talk about her legendary career at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St. A 6 p.m. reception precedes the presentation. Armitage’s presentation is co-sponsored by the Kansas City Ballet. Admission is free. Call 816.701.3407 to RSVP. Free parking is available in the Library District Parking Garage located at 10th and Baltimore.
About Kansas City Ballet
Founded in 1957, Kansas City Ballet is a 26-member professional ballet company under the direction of Artistic Director William Whitener and Executive Director Jeffrey J. Bentley. The company’s mission is to offer dance experiences of the highest quality to our community, region and profession. The Kansas City Ballet also is home to the Kansas City Ballet School for nearly 600 children and adults, offering professional training for the career-minded student as well as for those seeking a healthy lifestyle. Through our professional company, school and community outreach programs such as ROAD,
Project X, and Dance INFORMances, we seek to nurture and develop our artists, audiences and students in the creativity, diversity and joy of dance. For more information, visit www.kcballet.org.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Season Subscription Renewal Information
Renew your tickets for the 2009-10 season at the Spring Performance. Three thrilling programs: a full season of DYNAMIC DANCE! Kansas City Ballet’s 2009-10 season promises to deliver unparalleled performance variety. As a subscriber, spend each of three evenings filled with intensity and innovation. To make ballet affordable for everyone, the Series Subscription Package includes major savings and benefits for the Fall, Winter, and Spring Repertory Performances including ticket discounts, savings on single ticket prices, priority seating, free ticket exchange and the chance to purchase discounted tickets for The Nutcracker before they go on sale to the general public. For ticket information for the 2009-2010 season, please call Kansas City Ballet box office at 816.931.2232 or visit our Web site at www.kcballet.org.
Student and Senior Discounts
Students and seniors (62 and over) who present valid I.D. at the box office two hours prior to all repertory performances will receive a seat for $12. Rush sales end 15 minutes prior to curtain. Call Kansas City Ballet Box Office 816-931-2232 for more information.
BARRE: Kansas City Ballet’s Young Friends Group
Kansas City Ballet BARRE is a subscription group for ballet enthusiasts, ages 21-40. They invite you to share a dynamic season with other young professionals who support the arts. Kansas City Ballet BARRE members enjoy a Friday night season ticket with pre-show happy hours, discounted Nutcracker tickets, backstage tours, meeting the dancers and mingling with other members at special events – all while supporting Kansas City Ballet. For more information, please contact Karen at 816.931.2232 x1304, email barre@kcballet.org, or visit the Web site at www.kcbbarre.org. Upcoming BARRE events include:
April 4th, 7:00 p.m.
Dance Like A Star
Dancing isn't just for the stars. Learn how to put your best foot forward as BARRE members attend a private ballroom dance lesson at the KC Ballet Studios (1616 Broadway, KCMO). Have fun while learning the fundamentals from a professional. This event costs $15 for BARRE members and $20 for non-members. BARRE members must call 816-931-2232 for tickets. Non-members can order online at www.kcbbarre.org or by calling.
Friday, May 8th, 5:30 p.m.
Spring Happy Hour
(FREE FOR BARRE MEMBERS)
In the style of Old Blue Eyes, join BARRE at 5:30 p.m. for cocktail hour at 12 Baltimore Cafe & Bar, inside Hotel Phillips. Then step over to the Lyric Theatre (11th & Central, KCMO) for the 7:30 p.m. Kansas City Ballet Spring Performance featuring Twyla Tharp’s Nine Sinatra Songs. This event is free for BARRE members and costs $35 for non-members. Order online at www.kcbbarre.org or call 816-931-2232 for tickets.
KANSAS CITY BALLET
2009 SPRING PERFORMANCE AT A GLANCE
May 7-10, 2009
Lyric Theatre
1029 Central
Kansas City, Missouri
Salute
Choreography: William Whitener
Music: Arthur Smith, Scott Joplin and Jean-Baptist Arban
World Premiere
Choreography: Karole Armitage
Music: Einojuhani Rautavaara
Nine Sinatra Songs
Choreography: Twyla Tharp
Music: Frank Sinatra
Thursday, May 7 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 8 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 9 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 10 2:00 p.m.
Footnotes (Pre-Show Talk)
Artistic Director William Whitener will give a pre-show talk one hour prior to each performance. He will be accompanied by Karole Armitage on opening night.
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Please direct all media inquiries to: Ellen McDonald at 816.444.0052.
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