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Colorado Ballet celebrates 60 years

Artists of Colorado Ballet in 'The Wizard of Oz'. Photo by Kate Rolston.
Artists of Colorado Ballet in 'The Wizard of Oz'. Photo by Kate Rolston.

Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs announced the company’s 2020/2021 season, also it’s 60th anniversary season, which will feature five productions at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for the third consecutive season. The 2020/2021 season will feature GiselleThe NutcrackerThe Great GatsbyThe Wizard of Oz and Ballet MasterWorks.

“I am thrilled to announce our 2020/2021 season,” stated Boggs. “We are committed to offering something for everyone with a variety of eclectic and complementary programming, and our 60th anniversary season is no exception. It will continue to delight and inspire audiences.”

Colorado Ballet in 'The Wizard of Oz'. Photo by Mike Watson.
Colorado Ballet in ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Photo by Mike Watson.

He continues, “We will start the season with a personal favorite of mine, Giselle. During the holiday season, we will debut our brand new sets and costumes for the company’s 60th annual production of The Nutcracker. I’m really excited to present The Great Gatsby, a new ballet that the company has never performed, and to bring back The Wizard of Oz. To close the season, we will perform our acclaimed Ballet MasterWorks program featuring some stunning repertoire.” 

The 2020/2021 season will open on Friday, October 9, at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House with eight performances of Giselle running through October 18. One of the most frequently performed classical ballets, this is the company’s 13th production of Giselle in its 60-year-history.

This year, for the 60th anniversary, Colorado Ballet’s The Nutcracker will debut brand new sets and costumes in the classic Victorian style, created especially for Colorado Ballet. This beloved holiday favorite sells out every year, and runs from November 28 – December 27. Last season’s production hit record-breaking ticket sales, so patrons will want to secure their seats early for this holiday tradition as most performances fill up prior to opening night.  

Maria Mosina and Alexei Tyukov in 'Giselle'. Photo by Mike Watson.
Maria Mosina and Alexei Tyukov in ‘Giselle’. Photo by Mike Watson.

In February 2021, Colorado Ballet will present a new production that’s never been seen before in Colorado — Jorden Morris’ The Great Gatsby, with just five performances from February 5-7, 2021. Created by Morris and with music by Carl Davis, this new ballet features cinematic sets, an original score and dancing that will take audiences directly into the roaring ‘20s as the story of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s great American novel unfolds. 

Returning for the first time since its world premiere in 2019, Colorado Ballet brings back it’s critically acclaimed production, The Wizard of Oz, from March 5-14, 2021. With choreography by Septime Webre (presently Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet and formerly Artistic Director of Washington National Ballet), this production brings all of Oz’s favorite characters to dance down the yellow brick road — from Toto to flying monkeys. Webre’s choreography showcases the strength, athleticism and artistry of Colorado Ballet’s talented dancers.

To close the 2020/2021 season, Colorado Ballet presents monumental favorites in Ballet MasterWorks from April 9-18, 2021. This season’s production will feature Jiří Kylián’s Sinfonietta, set to the incredible music of the same title by Leoš Janáček. Other monumental 20th century works on this program are yet to be announced.

For information on Colorado Ballet and these productions, visit www.coloradoballet.org

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