Charlotte Ballet Sets 2016-17 Season

Charlotte Ballet announces Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's twenty-first and final season of programming as president and artistic director. Bonnefoux, who has led Charlotte Ballet since 1996, will retire at the end of the season.

"It has been an exciting 20 years building this company with the help of committed and talented dancers, board members and staff," Bonnefoux said. "I'm looking forward to spending this season celebrating and remembering our accomplishments."

The season follows Bonnefoux's signature programming style of blending contemporary and classical, masterworks and premieres. Highlights include the return of Alonzo King's MAP, the first ballet Bonnefoux commissioned for Charlotte Ballet nearly twenty years ago. Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Sasha Janes, who Bonnefoux has nurtured during his tenure, is creating an adaptation of Wuthering Heights to premiere in April and master contemporary choreographer Ohad Naharin's Minus 16 is part of Fall Works this October.

Bonnefoux stages Sleeping Beauty in March with Associate Artistic Director Patricia McBride, Bonnefoux's wife, who will continue her role as master teacher for Charlotte Ballet Academy and a répétiteur of George Balanchine works.

Charlotte Ballet's most popular performance, Nutcracker, is reimagined with all new sets and costumes in December, thanks to a generous gift from the McColl family in honor of Jane Spratt McColl. "It has always been a dream of mine to work with set and costume designers to bring my vision for Nutcracker to life," Bonnefoux said. "The McColl family's gift is taking Charlotte Ballet's Nutcracker to a new level of excellence and entertainment."

The entire 2016/2017 Season is dedicated to celebrating Bonnefoux's contributions, including two special events. In March 2017, Charlotte Ballet's annual gala fundraiser, Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte, pays tribute to Bonnefoux, and a new event, Night at the Nutcracker, gives attendees the first chance to see excerpts from Bonnefoux's new Nutcracker production before it opens to the public.

Subscriptions are on sale now and cost $82-$411. They are available by visiting charlotteballet.org or calling 704.372.1000. Tickets go on sale August 8.

2016/2017 Season Performances

FALL WORKS

October 20-22, 2016 ? Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts

An exuberant start to the season, Fall Works is a double feature including the work of Ohad Naharin, coming to Charlotte Ballet for the first time. Naharin's Minus 16 has an eclectic score ranging between Dean Martin, mambo, techno and traditional Israeli music. Using improvisation and his signature "Gaga" method, Naharin crafts an experience with elements of spontaneity, while breaking down the barriers between the dancers and audience. Resident Choreographer Dwight Rhoden, who has regularly worked with the company since 2002, returns to present his ballet The Groove. Set to 1980s house music, this joyful party ballet is a fitting start to a season of celebration.

NUTCRACKER

December 3-23, 2016 ? Belk Theater

Nutcracker as you've never seen it! Thanks to a generous gift from the McColl family in honor of Jane Spratt McColl, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux is collaborating with a world-renowned design team to re-imagine his Nutcracker production with all new sets and costumes. Complete with live music from the Charlotte Symphony, your holidays are made even more special with the magic of Nutcracker!

INNOVATIVE WORKS

January 27-February 18, 2017 ? Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance

Passion, intensity, movement...Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux created Innovative Works to present contemporary ballet in an intimate venue. The first Innovative Works performance was in 1997, just after Bonnefoux took over as artistic director. Twenty years later it is one of Charlotte Ballet's most popular performances, now housed in the 200-seat theater at the Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance. Choreographer Mark Diamond was part of Bonnefoux's first Innovative Works performance, and he'll be joined by Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Sasha Janes and former company member David Ingram, for this season's Innovative Works. The performance includes a dessert reception with the dancers and artistic staff following the show, so stick around for your chance to tell Bonnefoux about your favorite Innovative Works moments.

SLEEPING BEAUTY

March 10-19, 2017 ? Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts

Sleeping Beauty's timeless tale of the beautiful Princess Aurora, a dashing prince and the triumph of good over evil has delighted audiences for years. Originally created by the legendary choreographer Marius Petipa and composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1890, Sleeping Beauty remains a treasured ballet classic. Jean-Pierre is joined by Associate Artistic Director Patricia McBride to stage this opulent production, with gorgeous sets and costumes and a cast of fanciful characters. Join us in Sleeping Beauty's enchanted kingdom, as this beloved childhood story leaves you feeling happily ever after.

WUTHERING HEIGHTS

April 27-29, 2017 ? Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts

Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte's literary masterpiece, is a passionate story of love and revenge boldly adapted into a ballet by Associate Artistic Director Sasha Janes. Called "king of the pas de deux," Janes has a reputation for creating ballets that leave the audience as breathless as the dancers. Wuthering Heights tells the story of the unfortunate lovers Heathcliff and Catherine who, despite a deep affection for one another, are forced to live apart by circumstance and prejudice. With Janes' intricate choreography and unique storytelling style, he'll transport you to the 1800s. Jean-Pierre's final season comes to an end similar to where he began. Wuthering Heights opens with a performance of contemporary choreographer Alonzo King's MAP, the first ballet Jean-Pierre commissioned for the company 20 years ago.

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