Miami City Ballet (MCB) and Artistic Director Lourdes Lopez successfully balance homage to dance history and the monumental legacy of George Balanchine, while also highlighting the choreographic genius of some of today’s most gifted choreographers. The 2023-24 season does just that, but audience favorites aren’t left out of the mix either, with the return of “George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker” and the new interpretation of “Swan Lake” from Alexei Ratmansky.
MCB opens the season with the first ballet George Balanchine created upon arriving the U.S., “Serenade,” set to music by Tchaikovsky. Program One also include Twyla Tharp’s iconic “In the Upper Room,” with music by minimalist composer Philip Glass, and a world premiere by Miami native and former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater principal and choreographer Jamar Roberts. At the Arsht Chenter, Oct. 20 – 22; Broward Center, Oct. 28 – 29; and Kravis Center, Nov. 4 – 5.
“George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker,” a holiday tradition in an uniquely-Miami production, returns to the Broward Center, Dec. 8 – 10; Arsht Center, Dec. 15 – 24; and Kravis Center, Dec. 29 – 30.
Program Two features Jerome Robbins’ “Firebird,” the only version of this production outside the New York City Ballet, as well as Alexei Ratmansky’s “Concerto DSCH,” set to music by Shostakovich. World premieres from Miami native and MCB School alum Margarita Armas and rising star Durante Verzola round out a thrilling showcase of dance. At the Kravis Center, Feb. 3 – 4; Arsht Center, Feb. 9 – 11; and Broward Center, Feb. 17 – 18.
Balanchine’s 1957 tour de force “Agon” heads the Program Three triple bill, with mesmerizing movement set to the groundbreaking Stravinsky score. Alonzo King’s “Following the Subtle Current Upstream” follows, along with another world from Brazilian born, Miami-based Ricardo Amarante. See Program Three at the Arsht Center, March 8 – 10, and Kravis Center, March 23 – 24.
The season concludes with Ratmansky’s bold reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake,” at the Arsht Center, April 18 – 21; Broward Center, April 25 – 28; and Kravis Center, May 10 – 12.
For more information and tickets, go to MiamiCityBallet.org.