Smuin Ballet Returns to New York City
August 13 – 18 at The Joyce
NYC Premieres to Honor Internationally Acclaimed Dancer & Choreographer Michael Smuin who died in San Francisco April 23rd just prior to season opener
15 June 2007 – San Francisco, CA / NYC: Honoring the late visionary dancer / choreographer Michael Smuin, his namesake company -- Smuin Ballet www.smuinballet.org -- returns to New York City August 13 – 18 at The Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street) with a new program of work including Schubert Scherzo, Obrigado, Brazil, Bells of Dublin and Shinju.
“The show goes on as Michael would have wanted,” said Dwight Hutton, Smuin Managing Director. “Michael had recently finished choreographing his new work for Program 2 – the Spring Season, and had already completed the programming for the New York performances as well as next season. Each and every performance will now be a celebration of this great artist. ”
“It was Michael’s wish that his company continue and we intend to do so,” said Smuin Associate Director Celia Fushille. “When I retired as a dancer in May 2006 it was to devote myself more fully to working with Michael. The best way we can pay tribute to him is to continue his vision.”
Debuting in March 1994, Smuin Ballet quickly established itself as “one of this country’s most entertaining, original ballet troupes” (Dance Magazine). Recognized for its accessible and innovative repertory, the company adheres to the philosophy that ballet should be a living dance form that can continue to engage and delight modern audiences and numerous sold-out houses.
Between 1995 - 2006, the company premiered over forty works by Michael Smuin and has recently begun premiering works by a new generation of choreographers, drawn from Smuin Ballet's own company of artists. The mission of Smuin Ballet is to bring enjoyment of dance to new as well as to existing audiences through works that extend and enrich the art with presentations of uncompromising originality and quality.
Smuin Ballet is proud to have called the Bay Area home for the past thirteen years where audiences have embraced Smuin performances with passion and enthusiasm since the beginning, supporting an expanding subscription program and touring schedule. The company offers four seasons in the Bay Area -- the San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Mountain View, and Carmel – in addition to national and international touring.
Smuin made the San Francisco Bay Area his home since he was a Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet, before going on to dance on Broadway, and appearing in film and television. He was Principal Dancer and Resident Choreographer for American Ballet Theatre before returning to San Francisco as Co-Director of San Francisco Ballet (1973-1985), and was instrumental in raising that company's profile in the international arts community, including many “Dance in America” programs on PBS. He directed ABT's 50th Anniversary Gala. Broadway credits include Sophisticated Ladies, Anything Goes (Tony Award for Choreography), Shogun and Canciones de Mi Padre. Feature film credits include Rumble Fish, A Walk In the Clouds, Cotton Club, Star Wars, and The Fantasticks. Television credits include Ira Gershwin at 100: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall. He has won an Emmy Award for A Song for Dead Warriors. His ballets are currently in the repertories of major dance companies around the country. Smuin passed away on the morning of April 23 from a heart attack in his San Francisco dance studios while he was leading a rehearsal. Smuin was 68.
Performances for the special summer engagement of Smuin Ballet at the Joyce are: Monday - Wednesday (August 13, 14, 15) at 7:30pm; Thursday – Saturday ( August 16, 17, 18) at 8pm; and matinees at 2pm on Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets are $44 and $33 for Joyce members. Also, offered is a “Summer Duet Special”: Smuin + Savion: if purchased with Savion Glover tickets in a duet - a 20% discount on both ($35). Tickets on sale at the Box Office; through JoyceCharge (212) 242-0800 and www.joyce.org.
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