Smuin Ballet Announces 2007 / 2008 Season
Stabat Mater 9/11 Tribute, Dancin’ With Gershwin, and New Christmas Ballet return alongside World Premiere by Amy Seiwert and West Coast Premiere by Kirk Peterson
New Tours Added in North & South Dakota Company Returns to New York’s Joyce Theatre in August 2008
Celia Fushille, Associate Director, official Regisseur of Michael Smuin’s work is joined in Company Leadership by Artistic Committee Comprised of Dwight Hutton, Managing Director and Jo Ellen Arntz, Company Manager
25 July 2007 – San Francisco, CA: Capping a season of artistic and financial success tinged with melancholy and sadness, San Francisco’s internationally acclaimed Smuin Ballet ( www.smuinballet.org) has announced its new season – the first since its founder and namesake Michael Smuin passed away – a choreographic collection of Smuin classics, world premieres and new collaborations.
“Smuin Ballet is alive and thriving,” said Dwight Hutton, Smuin Managing Director. “Smuin Ballet is a dancer’s company – a company dedicated to unique artistic expressions as expressed through dancers true to Michael’s vision This next season will add to Michael’s and the Company’s legacy, and the legacy of the dancers he nurtured and trained.”
Smuin Ballet’s 2007 Fall / Winter Program will feature the return of Michael Smuin’siconic Stabat Mater¸ choreographed to Dvorak’s music of the same title, in response to 9/11. Duettino¸ a virtuoso pas de deux, set to Verdi opera selections choreographed by Michael in the early 80’s for SF Ballet dancers Diana Weber and David McNaughton makes its first Bay Area appearance in over 20 years. Guest choreographer Kirk Peterson (The Eyes That Gently Touch) returns with the West Coast Premiere of his whimsical “Smuin-esque” ballet, Reinin’ in the Hurricane, set to country music legends Johnny Cash, Gene Autry, k.d. lang and more. Peterson was most recently Artistic Director of the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company and was the innovative Artistic Director of Hartford Ballet for five years. Also featured will be Objects of Curiosity, a World Premiere by Smuin Protégé Program resident choreographer Amy Seiwert – an effort certain to continue her status as an artist who “more than any other choreographer in the Bay Area is exploring the language of classicism with an almost religious belief in its eloquence, power and possibilities”( Voice of Dance). Seiwert, was recently named one of “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine. Last season her Falling Up for Smuin Ballet was an audience and critical sensation.
In December, Smuin Ballet presents Michael’s holiday treat The Christmas Ballet. This eagerly anticipated Bay Area tradition is a magical, sparkling reflection of the season’s sacred and sentimental attributes with all the fun and frolic of today’s holiday music. This year’s Christmas Ballet features the new décor and costumes which debuted last year, new selections choreographed by Fushille, Seiwert and Smuin company member Shannon Hurlburt and, as Michael always said, “a few surprises.”
Spring 2008 will ring with the glory of Gershwin as Michael’s classic Dancin’ With Gershwin makes a welcome return. Broadway meets Ballet in this award-winning production richly costumed by Willa Kim under a glittering skyline designed by Rick Goodwin and brought to life in lights by Sara Linnie Slocum. Michael’s “eclecticism is again apparent in Gershwin, stylistically inspired by classical ballet, Broadway and Hollywood musicals, tap, ballroom dance and vaudeville…no doubts arise about the versatility of Mr. Smuin or his dancers.” ( The New York Times).
Also announced for the coming season are first-time tour dates for Smuin Ballet in North and South Dakota. The company will perform in Sioux Falls at the Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science, April 5, 2008; in Fargo at North Dakota State University, April 10, 2008; and in Rapid City, presented by the Black Hills Dance Theater, April 13.
“Michael once described his company as actors that dance,” said Patti Hume, Smuin Board President. “That legacy that will continue -- one dancer at a time -- with the focus, as always, on individuality and passion. As official Regisseur for Michael’s work, Celia Fushille, Associate Director, will be assisted by an Artistic Committee consisting of Dwight Hutton, Managing Director, and Jo Ellen Arntz, Company Manager. We are so honored to have Celia’s artistic hand joined in artistic partnership with Dwight and Jo Ellen.”
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 Rumblefish, Cotton Club, Dracula, and The Fantasticks. Television credits include Ira Gershwin at 100: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall. His productions on PBS of Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, and A Song for Dead Warriors won several Emmy Awards. His ballets are currently in the repertories of major dance companies around the country. Smuin died on April 23 of this year, suffering a heart-attack in his San Francisco studio as he was beginning a rehearsal with his company of dancers.
For more information on Smuin Ballet call (415) 495-2234, extension , email info@smuinballet.org or go online to www.smuinballet.org
Following is the complete schedule of the 2007 / 2008 Season for Smuin Ballet.
FALL-WINTER PROGRAM
San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts Theatre
Fri. Oct. 5 at 8 pm
Sat. Oct. 6 at 8 pm
Sun. Oct. 7 at 7 pm
Tues. Oct. 9 at 8 pm
Wed. Oct. 10 at 8 pm
Thurs. Oct. 11 at 8 pm
Fri. Oct. 12 at 8 pm
Sat. Oct. 13 at 2 pm
Sat. Oct. 13 at 8 pm
Sun. Oct. 14 at 2 pm
Walnut Creek at Lesher Center for the Arts
Fri. Feb. 8 at 12 PM-STUDENT MATINEE!
(Call for special student prices)
Fri. Feb. 8 at 8 pm
Sat. Feb. 9 at 2 pm
Sat. Feb. 9 at 8 pm
Carmel at the Sunset Center
Fri. March 21 at 8 pm
Sat. March 22 at 2 pm
Sat. March 22 at 8 pm
Mountain View at the Mountain View Center for the Arts
Wed. Feb. 20 at 8 pm
Thurs. Feb. 21 at 8 pm
Fri. Feb. 22 at 8 pm
Sat. Feb. 23 at 2 pm
Sat. Feb. 23 at 8 pm
Sun. Feb. 24 at 2 pm
The Christmas Ballet 2007
The Christmas Ballet has been instilling the holiday spirit in audiences of all ages since 1995. The 2007 Edition will offer untold surprises. Revel in the magical look and feel of this beloved holiday treat, featuring decor and special effects by Douglas Schmidt, costumes by Sandra Woodall, lighting by Michael Oesch and choreography by Michael Smuin.
Walnut Creek at Lesher Center for the Arts
Fri. Nov. 23 at 8 pm
Sat. Nov. 24 at 2 pm
Sat. Nov. 24 at 8 pm
Sun. Nov. 25 at 2 pm
Mountain View at the Mountain View Center for the Arts
Wed. Nov. 28 at 8 pm
Thurs. Nov. 29 at 8 pm
Fri. Nov. 30 at 8 pm
Sat. Dec. 1 at 2 pm
Sat. Dec. 1 at 8 pm
Sun. Dec. 2 at 2 pm
San Francisco at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Fri. Dec. 14 at 8 pm
Sat. Dec. 15 at 2 pm
Sat. Dec. 15 at 8 pm
Sun. Dec. 16 at 2 pm
Sun. Dec. 16 at 7 pm
Tues. Dec. 18 at 8 pm
Wed. Dec. 19 at 2 pm
Wed. Dec. 19 at 8 pm
Thurs. Dec. 20 at 2 pm
Thurs. Dec. 20 at 8 pm
Fri. Dec. 21 at 8 pm
Sat. Dec. 22 at 2 pm
Sat. Dec. 22 at 8 pm
Sun. Dec. 23 at 2 pm
Sunset Center
Fri. Dec. 28 at 8 pm
Sat. Dec. 29 at 2 pm
Sat. Dec. 29 at 8 pm
Spring 2008 Program -- Dancin’ with Gershwin
The return of an American classic evening infused with the brilliant, award-winning theatricality that only Michael Smuin could provide. Ballet and Broadway dance a passionate pas de deux, attired in Willa Kim’s luxurious costumes under Rick Goodwin’s skyscraper décor, all illuminated by Sara Linnie Slocum.
San Francisco at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Fri. May 2 at 8pm
Sat. May 3 at 8pm
Sun. May 4 at 2 pm
Sun. May 4 at 7 pm
Tues. May 6 at 8 pm
Wed. May 7 at 8 pm
Thurs. May 8 at 8 pm
Fri. May 9 at 8 pm
Sat. May 10 at 2 pm
Sat. May 10 at 8 pm
Sun. May 11 at 2 pm
Walnut Creek at Lesher Center for the Arts
Fri. May 16 at 12 noon STUDENT MATINEE! (call for special student-group rates)
Fri. May 16 at 8 pm
Sat. May 17 at 2 pm
Sat. May 17 at 8 pm
Sun. May 18 at 2 pm
Mountain View at the Mountain View Center for the Arts
Wed. May 28 at 8 pm
Thurs. May 29 at 8 pm
Fri. May 30 at 8 pm
Sat. May 31 at 2 pm
Sat. May 31 at 8 pm
Sun. June 1 at 2 pm
Carmel at the Sunset Center
Fri. June 6 at 8 pm
Sat. June 7 at 2 pm
Sat. June 7 at 8 pm
Touring 2008: Smuin Ballet is adding three new venues to their Touring Program. Smuin Ballet will be in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at Washington Pavilion, in Fargo, North Dakota at the North Dakota State University and in Rapid City, South Dakota, at Rapid City Civic Center. Smuin Ballet looks forward to returning to the Joyce Theatre in New York. Performance dates are as follows:
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Fri. April 4 7:30 pm
Fargo, North Dakota
Thurs. April 10 7:30 pm
Fri. April 11 7:30 pm
Rapid City, South Dakota
Sun. April 13 7:30 pm
Programs subject to change without notice.
Media Contacts: David Perry & Associates, Inc. / David Perry (415) 693-0583 / news@davidperry.com
Sign up for news and special offers:
Season Sponsors
William & Flora Hewlett
Foundation
Grants for the Arts/San Francisco
Hotel Tax Fund