Performance Dates
Four Unique, Enchanting Tales Told in Dance
Narrative dances are the focus of this program, which features three works from Balanchine: the early Prodigal Son, based on the Biblical tale of forgiveness and redemption; the whimsical storybook pas de deux The Steadfast Tin Soldier; and the solo Pavane, imbued with a subtle sense of loss. Returning to the repertory is Christopher Wheeldon’s joyful 2003 ballet Carnival of the Animals, a family-friendly dance featuring fanciful costumes and settings by Jon Morrell, inspired by the tale of a boy whose imagination turns all his companions into animals, with a text written by the actor John Lithgow.
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Prodigal Son
The ultimate story of sin and redemption, Prodigal Son's powerful message, expressive score, and dramatic movement make it eternally impactful.
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The Steadfast Tin Soldier
Based on Hans Christian Andersen's charming fairytale, The Steadfast Tin Soldier finds bittersweet romance between a paper doll ballerina and a smitten toy soldier.
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Pavane
Echoing its music, this ballet is a lament choreographed for a solo female dancer who carries with her a length of chiffon throughout the performance.
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Carnival of the Animals
With delightful narration written by John Lithgow, Carnival of the Animals imagines a schoolboy’s night in the Museum of Natural History and the outlandish museum residents who come to life as versions of his teachers, classmates, and family members.
