American Ballet Travels to Cuba, 11/3-6

American Ballet Theatre will travel to Cuba to perform as part of the Havana International Ballet Festival, November 3-6, 2010, it was announced today by ABT's Executive Director Rachel Moore.

The 22nd Annual Havana International Ballet Festival honors Alicia Alonso, Director of the National Ballet of Cuba and former ABT ballerina, on the occasion of her 90th birthday. American Ballet Theatre's tour to Cuba comes at the personal invitation

of Ms. Alonso. The Festival will include two repertory performances by ABT on November 3 and 4 and two additional Gala performances, November 5 and 6, featuring ABT Principal Dancers and Soloists. In honor of Ms. Alonso, ABT's repertory in Cuba will feature Theme and Variations, a ballet created by George Balanchine for ABT in 1947 with Ms. Alonso and Igor Youskevitch originating the leading roles. The Company's performances will also include Alexei Ratmansky's Seven Sonatas and Jerome Robbins' Fancy Free.

American Ballet Theatre last performed in Cuba in 1960 during the Company's 20th Anniversary year. The engagement included now-legendary works from ABT's repertory including Billy the Kid, Theme and Variations, Fall River Legend, Jardin aux Lilas, Fancy Free, Les Sylphides and Graduation Ball.

"This historic visit to Cuba is significant on many levels," said Rachel Moore. "It honors ABT's past by recognizing the contributions of Alicia Alonso and looks to the future by establishing an international dialogue with our artistic counterparts in Cuba."