2010-2011 Season Schedule

A teenager’s diary survived to share the story of personal growth and triumph during the darkest hours of Nazi Germany. The story of Anne Frank, now familiar to generations, holds incomparable emotional impact when told purely through the language of dance. Sarasota Ballet’s former ballet master and choreographer James Buckley received critical and popular acclaim when his ballet Anne Frank was premiered by the Sarasota Ballet in 2003 and it is still an unforgettable experience.

One of America’s great choreographers, Twyla Tharp has choreographed more than 135 dances, five Hollywood movies, four Broadway shows and received a Tony Award, two Emmy Awards, a 2008 Kennedy Center Honor and numerous other awards. Miss Tharp has created dances for The Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Paris Opera Ballet, The Royal Ballet, New York City Ballet and others. The Sarasota Ballet is proud to present the Sarasota premiere of Miss Tharp’s In the Upper Room and honored in her trust of our Company.

This timeless classic is the perfect holiday tradition to share with your family. Join in the beauty & merriment as you enter of world of snowflakes and waltzing flowers. The Nutcracker, with Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score, is a wonderful way to enter into the holiday spirit. Choreographed by former director, Robert DeWarren, join the Sarasota Ballet for a magical trip to the Land of the Sweets.

In 2008, during Iain Webb’s second season as director, Alistair Macaulay of the New York Times proclaimed Sarasota Ballet had “suddenly become America’s foremost exponent of Ashton ballets.” And it hasn’t stopped there. The brilliant choreography of The Royal Ballet has been celebrated repeatedly with Sarasota premieres of Dame Ninette de Valois, Sir Frederick Ashton, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, David Bintley, Antony Tudor, Dame Alicia Markova and Christopher Wheeldon. Join us as we delve deeper into the Royal coffers.

The great choreographer August Bournonville’s name is synonymous with the unique style of The Danish Royal Ballet. Yet, other great names have come out of Denmark and the most recent is Johan Kobborg, one of the top male dancers of today. Johan now returns to collaborate with The Sarasota Ballet on a new version of Out of Denmark that he and Iain originally produced in London at the Queen Elizabeth Hall. This is a unique opportunity to experience Danish ballet from Bournonville to Kobborg.

Sydney Goldstein, Elaine Keating and Chris Pfahler, Co-Chairs

Please join our 20th Anniversary Gala co-chairs for a spectacular celebration to honor the contributions and singular vision of our founder, Jean Weidner. The details of the event are hush-hush and will not be revealed until the night of the gala, but rest assured, you can expect a night to remember.

Champagne reception begins at 5:30 pm followed by our gala performance and dinner.

Who can imagine what ballet in the United States would have been like without the legendary Mr. B? George Balanchine’s revolutionary choreography and singular vision shaped the New York City Ballet into one of the foremost ballet companies. Be prepared for a glorious evening of great music and exquisite Balanchine ballets.Featuring a Live Orchestra conducted by Emil de Cou.

The final performances of our 20th Anniversary Season will bring together a collection of dance “friends and family.” The evening will include a World Premiere by Dominic Walsh performed by The Sarasota Ballet and the Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre.