Center Dance Ensemble Announces 2016-17 Season

Center Dance Ensemble, one of the most respected modern dance companies in Arizona, announces its 2016-17 Season. The resident Dance Company at the Herberger Theater in downtown Phoenix, Center Dance Ensemble presents four thematic productions to showcase the artistry, athleticism, beauty and theatricality of modern dance.

A special celebration for Halloween, Masquerades features Artistic Director Frances Smith Cohen's "The Return of Dracula," a haunting work in which Scott Bodily and Emilio Minto portray the two differing personas of the legendary Count. The performance will also include a premiere work by Resident Choreographer Diane McNeal Hunt and a new work by guest company Instinct Dancecorps, Director Angela Rosenkrans.

Center Dance Ensemble's annual popular holiday production Snow Queen has become a "don't miss" Valley tradition for the whole family. This beautiful fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen is set to the gorgeous music of Sergei Prokofiev and features the stunning Amber Robins as the wicked queen who casts her icy spell on the world.

Love Stories features the premiere of Artistic Director Frances Smith Cohen's "Eye of the Moon," inspired by Federico García Lorca's "Blood Wedding." Set in an 1800's Spanish Gothic castle, the piece revolves around two sisters whose passion for the same man spins into family vendetta. The performance also includes a new work choreographed to an original score composed by Eric Sandmeyer.

Center Dance Ensemble celebrates National Poetry Month with new choreography by CDE company members. Often described as visual poetry, the afternoon will be a fascinating exploration of movement. The performance will also feature high school poets from the Poetry-Out-Loud Competition sharing their own poetry.

Tickets for Center Dance Ensemble's performances range from $10 - $28 and are on sale atherbergertheater.org or by calling 602-252-8497.