Onstage This Week: Justin Peck World Premiere at Houston Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet in NYC, and More!

March 17, 2019

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

Justin Peck Creates a World Premiere for Houston Ballet

March 21-24
, Houston Ballet presents a program aptly titled Premieres, featuring the world premiere of Justin Peck‘s Reflections. With an original score by frequent collaborator Sufjan Stevens, this marks Peck’s first time creating on the company; catch a glimpse of his process in the above video. The program also includes two company premieres: Jiří Kylián‘s Dream Time, set to a score by Japanese composer Toru Takamitsu, and Aszure Barton’s Come In, a ballet for 13 male dancers.

Atlanta Ballet Showcases Ballet’s Playful Side 

Atlanta Ballet’s Look/Don’t Touch program, running March 22-24, features three playful works: Alexander Ekman‘s Cacti, Mark Morris’ Sandpaper Ballet and the world premiere of AON by former Boston Ballet principal Yury Yanowsky. Hear more from Yanowsky about his work above.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Brings Three New York Premieres to the Joyce Theater

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
brings three New York premieres, all featuring live music by concert pianist Joyce Yang, to the Joyce Theater March 20-24. The program features Jorma Elo‘s Half/Cut/Split set to Schumann’s Carnaval, Fernando Melo’s Dream Play to Erik Satie, and Nicolo Fonte‘s Where We Left Off to Philip Glass.

Boston Ballet Presents George Balanchine’s “Coppélia” 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=2W8BNkUvemA

Boston audiences can catch George Balanchine’s Coppélia starting this week. Boston Ballet presents the clever, comedic classic March 21-31; catch a glimpse in the above trailer.

Sacramento Ballet Nurtures Company Choreographers

March 21-April 7
, Sacramento Ballet continues its annual Beer and Ballet program, wherein company dancers have the chance to create new work on their peers in an informal setting. This year, Sacramento Ballet brings in Val Caniparoli as a choreographic advisor and mentor.

Ballet Memphis Rethinks “Giselle”

Leading up to Ballet Memphis’ run of Giselle next month, on March 23, choreographers Julie Marie Niekrasz and Pablo Sanchez dive into the ballet with Through the Veil: Giselle Redux. In this one night only performance, Niekrasz and Sanchez reimagine the classic through a modern lens, including new movement and music and discussion.

San Francisco Ballet’s Trainee Program Makes Rare East Coast Appearance

On March 23, Jenkintown, PA-based Metropolitan Ballet Company presents an evening of variations and collaborations in Philadelphia. The program, including works by Jessica Lang, Sarah Mettin and Ashley Walton, will feature special guest artists from San Francisco Ballet School’s Trainee Program.