Ballet Beyond

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Becky McKenzie

Dancers during the "Ballet Beyond" program.

Dancers during the "Ballet Beyond" program, Madison Ballet, 2023.

The three pieces in Madison Ballet's season finale highlight ballet past, present and future. Paquita Suite is set to music by Ludwig Minkus; New Work is by former Alvin Ailey member Yusha-Marie Sorzano; and RE/COMPOSED is choreographed by Madison Ballet artistic director Ja’Malik, with music by Johann Sebastian Bach and Peter Gregson. Performances at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, plus a family-friendly matinee at 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

media release: Following a tremendous run of The Nutcracker, Madison Ballet is excited to present our season finale at the MYArts Center Starlight Theater, comprised of two distinct programs. Evening performances of Ballet Beyond take place from March 31st to April 8th, 2023, and matinee performances of Ballet Beyond: Family Series are April 1st to April 9th, 2023. These performances will showcase the precision of Madison Ballet’s company to audiences of all ages. Ballet Beyond marks Madison Ballet’s first production at the MYArts Center and the conclusion of the 41st season.

Ballet Beyond will feature a world premiere by Yusha-Marie Sorzano, former dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Set to the expressive and grand “Lento – Cantabile Semplice” from Henryk Górecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs No. 3, this work will also feature new costumes designed by company member, Fernanda Yamaguchi. An emerging choreographer, Ms. Sorzano has created works for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Idaho, Santa Barbara Dance Theater, Festival Ballet Providence, and more.

  This program will also feature a new production of Artistic Director Ja’ Malik’s “RE/COMPOSED”. Originally premiered by Purchase Conservatory of Dance, this work was set to the reimagining of Bach’s Cello Suites by British composer Peter Gregson. Described as “emotionally and physically alluring”, Ja’ Malik explains, “This was the first work I created after the pandemic lockdown, and asks the question: how do we recompose ourselves for social interactions after isolation for what seemed like forever?” New costumes by Karen Brown-Larimore and lighting by Julie Ballard will make this a must see for Madison audiences.

  Staged by Andrea Long, the classical ballet showpiece “Paquita Suite” will close the program. Ms. Long is a former dancer with New York City Ballet and former Principal Dancer with Dance Theater of Harlem under Arthur Mitchell. Enthralling corps de ballet, virtuosic solos, a stunning pas de deux, and the high energy finale will show audiences a Madison Ballet like never before. Ms. Long wants audiences to “get lost in the dancing and music” and walk away feeling the “power, passion, precision” of ballet.

  Ballet Beyond: Family Series performances are matinees specifically designed for families of all ages. For forty-five minutes, families will be able to enjoy a full theater experience of ballet. In addition to the “Paquita Suite”, this program will present dancers from the School of Madison Ballet performing “Voyage” choreographed by company member Sarah Minton. Audiences can participate in a Q&A with students and company dancers at the end of each performance.

PERFORMANCES AND TICKETS

Ballet Beyond

Friday, March 31*, Saturday, April 1, Friday, April 7, and Saturday, April 8 – 7:00pm

Reserved Seating tickets range from $19 to $50. *Join us for a post-show talkback with choreographers and Artistic Director Ja’ Malik after the opening night performance.  

Ballet Beyond: Family Series

Saturday, April 1, Sunday, April 2, Saturday, April 8, and Sunday, April 9 – 1:00pm

General Admission tickets are $18.

Tickets can be purchased online by visiting madisonballet.org, by calling 608-258-4141, or by visiting the Overture Center Box Office at 201 State Street.

Madison Youth Arts Center (MYArts) Starlight Theater, 1055 E Mifflin Street, Madison, WI 53703

About Madison Ballet

For over 40 years, Madison Ballet has been an integral part of the vibrant Dane County arts community. Full-scale productions of inspiring traditional ballets, innovative contemporary performances, and the timeless holiday tradition of “The Nutcracker” reach more than 13,000 people each year. The School of Madison Ballet empowers students of all ages and skill levels with the poise, confidence, discipline, and fundamental life skills intrinsic to the study of dance. Outreach programming, presented in partnership with dozens of local school and community groups, enriches thousands of young people’s lives by introducing them to the joy of dance.