Smuin Announces 25th Season: Trey McIntyre, World Premiere, More

Marking its quarter-century, Smuin announces a sensational lineup for its 25th Anniversary season featuring the highly-anticipated return of Trey McIntyre, a world premiere by Amy Seiwert and brand new main stage adaptations from Smuin dancers, plus timeless classics by Michael Smuin celebrating an array of music from Gershwin to Nat King Cole.

Unveiled by Artistic Director Celia Fushille, Smuin's 2018-19 season will spotlight new works in honor of founder Michael Smuin's legacy of launching new voices in ballet, as well as his most memorable pieces and all-time favorites. Kicking off Dance Series 01 in the fall is renowned dancemaker Trey McIntyre's Blue Until June, a powerful ballet set to the legendary vocals of Etta James. Smuin devotees will also be treated to three main stage adaptations of popular works by Smuin dancers Nicole Haskins, Ben Needham-Wood, and Rex Wheeler, and a delicious blast from the past: Michael Smuin's Eternal Idol and his final creation Schubert Scherzo. In spring 2019, Smuin will present Dance Series 02 featuring a world premiere by one of Smuin's most illustrious alumni, Amy Seiwert, and The Best of Smuin showcase. The Christmas Ballet, now a Bay Area holiday tradition, also returns to spread cheer with its signature mixed repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary dance, featuring delectable new numbers. For subscriptions and further information the public may call (415) 912-1899 or visit www.smuinballet.org. Single tickets go on sale early August.

Dance Series 01

Blue Until June by Trey McIntyre

Main Stage Premieres by Smuin dancers: Merely Players by Nicole Haskins, Reflection by Ben Needham-Wood, Sinfonietta by Rex Wheeler

Schubert Scherzo by Michael Smuin

Eternal Idol by Michael Smuin

Trey McIntyre, whose world premiere celebrating the Summer of Love was a Smuin hit last spring, returns to kick off Smuin's 25th anniversary with Blue Until June. This sultry dance set to the heart-wrenching vocals of legend Etta James is McIntyre's third collaboration with Smuin, which also commissioned his hit Oh, Inverted World. Hailed by The New York Times as "one of the most important choreographers working today," McIntyre has produced more than 100 pieces during his career, and his work has been lauded for its "true artistry" (San Francisco Examiner) and "witty physicality" (San Francisco Chronicle). Continuing Smuin's long-time dedication to fostering new talent within the company is a trio of groundbreaking works from Smuin dancers, receiving their main stage premieres after enchanting audiences in previous Choreography Showcases: Merely Players by Nicole Haskins, Reflection by Ben Needham-Wood, and Sinfonietta by Rex Wheeler. Dance Series 01 will also include Michael Smuin's timeless Schubert Scherzo, an effervescent dance set to Schubert's sprightly C-Major Symphony. This is classical ballet with the Smuin sparkle at its quintessence, full of high-flying leaps and intricate tosses executed flawlessly by Smuin's athletic dancers. "A clear statement of his legacy, at its best," raved The New York Times. Rounding out this magnificent bill is Eternal Idol, Michael Smuin's romantic pas de deux inspired by Auguste Rodin's iconic sculptures of "The Eternal Idol" and "The Kiss." Chopin's wistful F Minor Piano Concerto accompanies this sensuous ballet featuring Smuin's signature award-winning theatricality, described as a "gem for romantics" by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Dates and Locations

September 21-22, 2018 Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek

September 28-October 6, 2018 Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco

February 1-2, 2019 Sunset Center, San Carlos Street between 8th and 10th Streets, Carmel-by-the-Sea

February 21-24, 2019 Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View

The Christmas Ballet
Choreography by Michael Smuin
and guest choreographers

The weather outside may be frightful, but The Christmas Ballet is oh-so-delightful. This Bay Area favorite returns to kick off the holidays in 2018 with two acts packed to the brim with the best of both worlds: flawless classical ballet and red-hot contemporary numbers. "Sheer joy...the finest toast to the season," declared the San Francisco Chronicle. Featuring the perfect combination of long-time favorites and thrilling new surprises, this charming medley incorporates a variety of popular dance styles including ballet, tap, jazz, and swing.

Dates and Locations

November 16-17, 2018 Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek

November 30-December 1, 2018 Sunset Center, San Carlos Street between 8th and 10th Streets, Carmel-by-the-Sea

December 5-9, 2018 Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View

December 13-24, 2018 Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard Street, San Francisco

Dance Series 02
The Best of Smuin

World Premiere by Amy Seiwert

After ten years as Choreographer-in-Residence, master dance maker Amy Seiwert returns to Smuin for its quarter-century celebration with a smashing world premiere featuring her signature choreography, described by the San Francisco Chronicle as "keeping founder Michael Smuin's legacy of unabashed showmanship alive." Seiwert was mentored by Smuin for eight of her nine years as a dancer at the company, becoming the Choreographer-in-Residence upon her retirement from dancing in 2008. As a choreographer, she has pushed the boundaries of dance by collaborating with artists of other disciplines and experimenting with all of its various forms and expressions from a classical base-making her an invaluable voice in the Bay Area dance community. Now Artistic Director of Sacramento Ballet, she returns to help Smuin celebrate this milestone anniversary. Also on the bill is The Best of Smuin, featuring the return of timeless Michael Smuin favorites such as "Unforgettable," "Foolish Things," and the red-hot chair solo "Fever" from Smuin's inaugural program Dances With Songs. Along with highlights from Carmina Burana, Dancin' With Gershwin, and Zorro!, this showcase of classics is packed with the ol' razzle-dazzle, visually stunning effects, and twists that are Smuin's trademarks.

Dates and locations

April 26-May 5, 2019 Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 700 Howard Street, San Francisco

May 17-18, 2019 Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek

May 23-26, 2019 Mountain View Center for the Arts, 500 Castro Street, Mountain View

May 31-June 1, 2019 Sunset Center, San Carlos Street between 8th and 10th Streets, Carmel-by-the-Sea

ABOUT SMUIN

For 25 years Smuin has pushed the boundaries of contemporary ballet within a distinctly American style, engaging and delighting audiences with uncommon physicality and expression. Founded in San Francisco in 1994 by Tony and Emmy award-winning choreographer Michael Smuin, the company is committed to creating work that merges the diverse vocabularies of classical ballet and contemporary dance. As Artistic Director since 2007, Celia Fushille has maintained Michael Smuin's legacy while enriching the company's impressive repertoire by collaborating with inventive choreographers from around the world, commissioning world premieres, and bringing new contemporary choreographic voices to the Smuin stage.

All programs are subject to change.

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