American Ballet Theatre (ABT) marks its annual engagement in the Opera House January 29 - February 3, 2019, with the full-evening production Harlequinade, choreographed by ABT Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky. All performances will be accompanied by the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra.
With staging after Marius Petipa's 19th-century ballet Les Millions d'Arlequin, this comedic ballet in two acts is set to original music by Riccardo Drigo. Drawing from the Italian commedia dell'arte style, a form of Italian comedy popular throughout Europe from the 16th through 18th centuries, the full-length production was one of the last ballets that Petipa choreographed prior to his retirement.
Ratmansky brings this "lost" classic to life through a reconstruction of Petipa's original steps, recreated using Stepanov notations from the Harvard Theatre Collection. Filled with a palette of colorful sets and costumes by Robert Perdziola after the original 1900 designs by Orest Allegri and Ivan Vsevolozhsky, the ABT's vivid new staging received its world premiere on June 4, 2018 at the Metropolitan Opera House. Ratmansky's production of Harlequinade is a co-production with Australian Ballet that pays tribute to Petipa's 200th birthday.
Full of madcap humor, the production tells of the love-struck yet penniless young man Harlequin, as he fights for his true love, the captivating Columbine, whose father would prefer she marry a wealthy suitor.
Principal casting is located here (subject to change).
ABOUT American Ballet Theatre
Since its inception in 1939, American Ballet Theatre has developed an unequalled repertoire spanning 19th-century classics, early 20th-century masterpieces, and acclaimed contemporary dances. Few ballet companies equal ABT for its combination of size, scope, and outreach. ABT is the only major cultural institution that annually tours the United States, performing for more than 300,000 people. The Company has also made more than 30 international tours to 50 countries as perhaps the most representative American ballet company and has been sponsored by the U.S. State Department on many of these engagements. Over more than 75 years, the Company has appeared in a total of 132 cities in 50 countries, and has appeared in all 50 states of the U.S. In keeping with ABT's long-standing commitment to bring the finest in dance to the widest international audience, the Company has recently had triumphant successes with engagements in Singapore, Brisbane, Hong Kong, Paris, and Beijing. On April 27, 2006, by an act of Congress, American Ballet Theatre became America's National Ballet Company. The Company has performed at the Kennedy Center annually since the Center's opening in 1971.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased on the Kennedy Center website, at the Kennedy Center box office, or by calling Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600. Patrons living outside the Washington metropolitan area may dial toll-free at (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.
FUNDING CREDITS
American Ballet Theatre's engagement is made possible through generous endowment support of The Lee and Juliet Folger Fund.
Support for Ballet at the Kennedy Center is generously provided by
Elizabeth and C. Michael Kojaian.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
American Ballet Theatre: Harlequinade
Kevin Mckenzie, Artistic Director
With the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra
Choreography by Alexei Ratmansky
Music by Ricardo Drigo
Kennedy Center Opera House
Tuesday, January 29-Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 2-Sunday, February 3, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.
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PRESS Contact
Brittany Laeger
(202) 416-8445
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John F Kennedy Center For The Performing, 2700 F Street, Washington, DC 20566 United States
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