The Kennedy Center Presents New York City Ballet In Two Repertory Programs

New York City Ballet (NYCB) returns to the Kennedy Center for its annual engagement with two stellar repertory programs, April 2-7, in the Opera House. Along with classic works by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, the engagement includes Kyle Abraham's recent acclaimed work The Runaway and the D.C. premieres of new works from NYCB Resident Choreographer and Soloist Justin Peck and celebrated Broadway choreographer Warren Carlyle. Performances will be accompanied by the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra.

Reisen, Balanchine, and Robbins (April 2, 3 & 7):

The company's opening night program includes two works not seen on the Kennedy Center stage since 1979: George Balanchine's Kammermusik No. 2, a ballet requiring great speed and precision performed by two couples and an eight-man ensemble, and Jerome Robbins's Opus19/The Dreamer, which follows a male protagonist on a journey to find his elusive and ethereal counterpart. One of Balanchine's grand classical masterpieces, Symphony in C showcases 50 dancers in costumes featuring Swarovski elements and is known for its spectacular finale. The program also includes Composer's Holiday, by School of American Ballet alumna and NYCB's youngest commissioned choreographer to date Gianna Reisen. Set to Lukas Foss's Three American Pieces for violin and piano, the work was her first for the company.

New Works and New Productions (April 4, 5, 6m & 6e):

The second program includes D.C. Premieres of two works created for the Company's 2018 celebration of the centennial of Jerome Robbins, Justin Peck's Easy and Warren Carlyle's Something to Dance About. Carlyle's work will feature 30 NYCB dancers in a showcase of music and choreography from nine landmark Broadway musicals Robbins was closely associated with during his storied career and will feature excerpts of Robbins's original choreography. Also by Robbins, In the Night, a ballet built on his fascination with Chopin's piano works, features three couples dancing to four of the composer's nocturnes. The program also includes Kyle Abraham's recent acclaimed work The Runaway, another D.C. premiere, which fuses modern and classical technique with imaginative costumes by Giles Deacon, and is set to an eclectic soundtrack by artists including Nico Muhly and hip-hop giants Jay-Z and Kanye West.

New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world, with a roster of more than 90 dancers and an unparalleled repertory of modern masterpieces. The Company was founded in 1948 by the legendary choreographer George Balanchine and arts patron Lincoln Kirstein, and quickly became world-renowned for its athletic, contemporary style and a repertory of original ballets that has forever changed the face of classical dance. Now under the direction of Artistic Director Jonathan Stafford, Executive Director Katherine Brown, and Associate Artistic Director Wendy Whelan, NYCB is committed to promoting creative excellence and nurturing a new generation of dancers and choreographers.

Tickets start at $29 and information is available at the Kennedy Center Box Office, online at www.kennedy-center.org, or by calling (202) 467-4600. For all other ticket-related customer service inquires, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.

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