Onstage This Week: Joaquin De Luz's Farewell Performance, Royal Winnipeg Ballet's "The Handmaid's Tale," and More!

October 8, 2018

Wonder what’s going on in ballet this week? We’ve pulled together some highlights.

NYCB Bids Farewell to Principal Joaquin De Luz

New York City Ballet’s fall season continues this week with a return to Jerome Robbins. Then, on October 14, the company celebrates the retirement of principal dancer Joaquin De Luz. A special program includes four prominent works from De Luz’s career: George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations, Robbins’ A Suite of Dances and Peter Martins’ Todo Buenos Aires. Also on the program is Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco. Above, hear De Luz on Robbins’ Prodigal Son, which he’ll dance on October 10.

American Contemporary Ballet Opens Their Season with a World Premiere 

American Contemporary Ballet is going all out for Halloween. Their season opener, running October 12-31, includes two works by artistic director Lincoln Jones: Inferno, billed as “an adventure through hell since the 14th century,” and the world premiere of Burlesque. Exploring burlesque performance, Jones’ newest work features a commissioned score by American composer Charles Wuorinen, who has previously composed for New York City Ballet.

Company Premiere of Macmillan’s “Romeo & Juliet” at Pennsylvania Ballet 

Considered to be one of the greatest adaptations of Shakespeare’s timeless love story, Sir Kenneth Macmillan’s Romeo & Juliet will have its Pennsylvania Ballet company premiere October 11-19 at the Academy of Music. The company has released a number of videos leading up to the premiere; above, principal Lillian DiPiazza shares her thoughts on dancing the role of Juliet.

Orlando Ballet Celebrates Director Robert Hill’s 10th Anniversary with “Carmina Burana” 

October 12-14
, Orlando Ballet brings back Carmina Burana to celebrate Robert Hill’s 10th season as artistic director. With choreography by Hill, Carmina Burana features live vocal performance by 160 singers from the Bach Festival Society of Winter Park; the singers will be onstage behind the dancers. Get a sneak peek in the thrilling trailer above.

Royal Winnipeg Ballet “The Handmaid’s Tale” is Back

After five years, The Handmaid’s Tale, Lila York’s ballet based on Margaret Atwood’s beloved dystopian novel of the same name, is back on Royal Winnipeg Ballet stages. This dark dance-drama runs October 10-14 at the Centennial Concert Hall.

Carolina Ballet Celebrates Halloween with “Dracula”

Carolina Ballet is getting into the Halloween spirit. October 11-28, the company presents two extra spooky ballets: Lynne Taylor-Corbett’s Dracula, back onstage after four years, and Robert Weiss’ The Masque of the Red Death, based on Edgar Allen Poe’s famous story. Both works feature original scores played live by a chamber ensemble.