Stars of American Ballet

Leading stars of American ballet head for SA

For the first time in over 30 years, a team of American ballet stars bring their unique brand of classical ballet brilliance to the South African stage when The Stars of American Ballet come to the Teatro at Montecasino from 20 to 22 June.

Presented by ballet entrepreneur Dirk Badenhorst, the 5-performance run at the Teatro at Montecasino features dancers Adiarys Almeida, Ashley Bouder, Joaquin de Luz, Isaac Hernandez, Jonhal Fernandez, Joseph Gatti, Anna Maria Lucaciu, Amar Ramasar, Ana Sofia Scheller, Andi Schermoly, Daniel Ulbricht, Indiana Woodward and Michaela DePrince (who has previously danced to acclaim in South Africa under the auspices of Dirk Badenhorst). The Stars of American Ballet hail from such distinguished companies as the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet and Mexico’s Ballet de Monterrey.

In addition to highlights and showpieces from the major classics such as Le Corsaire, Don Quixote and Diana and Actaeon, the gala programme also showcases works never before performed in South Africa. And adding a spectacular stamp of American ballet distinction will be works by legendary choreographer George Balanchine, including his Broadway inspired classic, the Who Cares? Suite to music by equally legendary George Gershwin.

Commenting on the coming visit, presenter Dirk Badenhorst said: “No-one sets the stage alight quite like America’s great classical ballet stars, with the speed, sense of daring, and razzmatazz that is so unique to American ballet. For this reason I am delighted to be able to bring these great dancers to South Africa and to offer our audiences something we don’t often see here: classical ballet in the American style.”

The Stars of American Ballet galas will be performed at the Teatro at Montecasino, further endorsing the Teatro as a pre-eminent South African venue for the best in ballet, having previously hosted gala performances by South African and international stars in 2011 and 2013 under the Dirk Badenhorst banner.

The Stars of American Ballet will be presented for just five gala performances at the Teatro at Montecasino on June 20^th at 8pm, 21^st at 3pm and 8pm, and 22^nd at 11am and 3pm. Tickets are R150, R270, R370 and R420. Bookings through Computicket, on 0861 915 8000, and at www.computicket.com.