DANCE OPENINGS: Ballet West at Auditorium Theatre

ROMANCE AND MYSTERY FILL THE AUDITORIUM STAGE WITH BALLET WEST’S 

“The sleeping beauty” and MIXED REP INCLUDING “the Lottery” October 4 – 6 

Auditorium Theatre’s Annual Gala, “An Evening of Fortune and Chance,” October 6 

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University welcomes Ballet West to the stage for the Chicago Premiere of “The Sleeping Beauty ” and a mixed repertory  including “Rubies,” Pas de Deux from “Diamonds," a world premiere piece by Nicolo Fonte and the Midwest premiere of “The Lottery” October 4 - 6. Artistic Director Adam Sklute, formerly of The Joffrey Ballet, returns to Chicago while celebrating Ballet West’s 50th Anniversary. Ballet West, one of America’s favorite companies as well as the stars of the CW’s “Breaking Pointe,” bring the magic of a newly imagined fairytale, choreographed by Sklute and “The Lottery,” a suspenseful, innovative piece—never performed the same way twice—choreographed by Val Caniparoli with an original score by Robert Moran. Tickets ($30 – $90) are on sale now and available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org , by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy).

The Lottery

In conjunction with Ballet West’s engagement, the Auditorium will host their annual gala, “An Evening of Fortune and Chance” on Sunday, October 6. featuring a performance of “The Lottery” followed by a reception and dinner at the Hilton Chicago sponsored by the Pasquinelli Family Foundation. 

We are thrilled to welcome Artistic Director Adam Sklute back to Chicago and the Auditorium’s landmark stage where his former company, The Joffrey Ballet, makes their home,” said Auditorium Theatre Executive Director Brett Batterson. “This mesmerizing company brings diverse and captivating pieces that are sure to have audiences of all ages falling in love and wanting more.”

Adam Sklute’s newly conceived and produced staging of “The Sleeping Beauty” strives to take an ageless fairytale and make it exciting and relevant to modern audience’s while maintaining the classical purity of the beloved story. Taken from the famous Perrault fairytale, Princess Aurora is welcomed into the world by all except the evil Carabose. Cursing the princess with a wicked spell, the princess is doomed to an eternal sleep when she pricks her finger on a magical spindle. 100 years later, Prince Desire is led to Aurora by the enchanted fairies, breaking the spell with a special kiss demonstrating the triumph of good versus evil. With new characters, costumes and vision, Sklute’s “The Sleeping Beauty,” takes audiences on an enchanting journey through time and fantasy. 

I am so thrilled to return to this incredible city and to such a wonderful home at the Auditorium Theater,” said Sklute. “Both programs that Ballet West will perform offer something magical for all audiences. With “The Sleeping Beauty” they are transported to a fairytale story that still resonates today. With “The Lottery” audiences are able see a brand new performance each and every time allowing them a unique and thrilling experience.”

Based on Shirley Jackson’s shocking American short story, “The Lottery,” Val Caniparoli creates a truly suspenseful, interactive experience for both audiences and dancers. Set in a small American town, the community takes part in an annual barbaric ritual, sacrificing one of their own people for the good of the community by drawing ballots to see who will be chosen. In Caniparoli’s innovative ballet, all 14 dancers on stage choose their fate during the performance, creating a wonderful sense of tension and excitement for all. 

One of the greatest things about ballet is that it truly offers something for everyone―storytelling, art, music and astonishing athleticism,” said Sklute. “Our Ballet West dancers are prime examples as artists who are so musically attuned that their very gesture and glance can illuminate the subtlety and nuance of the music they dance to. That artistry and athleticism is shown in full-force during ‘The Lottery.’”

In addition to “The Lottery” Ballet West performs “Rubies” and Pas de Deux from “Diamonds.” George Balanchine’s “Rubies” takes the audience on a journey into the wild 1920’s America. Part of Balanchine’s three-piece masterpiece, “Jewels,” composer Igor Stravinsky creates a three-movement “Capriccio” allowing for a breathless and exciting race to the finish line for the pianist, orchestra and dancers. “Diamonds,” the third section of Balanchine’s “Jewels” was choreographed to Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op. 29 capturing the grandeur and soul of imperial Russia. 

Also as part of the mixed repertory on October 6, the Auditorium will host the world premiere of a new piece by Nicolo Fonte.

Ballet West performances are made possible through the generosity of Patti Eylar and Charlie Gardner. Support for “The Lottery” is generously provided by the Kipper Family Foundation.

The Lottery” is presented by special arrangement with the Children of Shirley Jackson and Literal Media.

Auditorium Theatre’s Annual Gala “An Evening of Fortune and Chance”

Auditorium Theatre’s annual gala, “An Evening of Fortune and Chance,” sponsored by the Pasquinelli Family Foundation, will be held in conjunction with Ballet West’s engagement on Sunday, October 6. The affair will begin at 3 p.m. with a mixed repertory performance from Ballet West including “Rubies,” Pas de Deux from “Diamonds,” a world premiere performance by Nicolo Fonte and Val Caniparoli’s “The Lottery” at the Auditorium Theatre. The evening continues at the Hilton Chicago (720 S Michigan) where guests will be treated to a reception and dinner. Patti Eylar, Barbara Kipper and Harriet Ross are the gala co-chairs. Special guests of the evening include Ballet West Artistic Director Adam Sklute, Choreographer Val Caniparoli and Choreographer Nicolo Fonte as well as author Shirley Jackson’s children. For tickets and more information please contact Amanda Martinez Byrne at (312) 341-2364 or at abyrne@auditoriumtheatre.org.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information

Sleeping Beauty

Ballet West’s “The Sleeping Beauty ” and Mixed Rep  including “The Lottery” at Auditorium Theatre: 

   The Sleeping Beauty:” Friday, October 4 at 7:30 p.m.

                                  Saturday, October 5 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m

Mixed Rep including      

The Lottery”:                Sunday, October 6 at 3 p.m.

Tickets ($30 - $90) are available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org , by calling
(800) 982-ARTS (2787) or in-person at Auditorium Theatre’s Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy). Ballet West’s “The Sleeping Beauty” is also available at a 30% discount as part of the Auditorium’s Dance Subscription, starting at $84 for four dance shows and $101 for five dance shows. Subscriptions are available at (312) 341.2357 or AuditoriumTheatre.org .

Auditorium Theatre’s 2013 - 14 Season:

The full Auditorium Theatre 2013 – 14 season includes “Death Boogie” (September 5 – 7); Ballet West’s “The Sleeping Beauty” and a Mixed Rep including “Rubies,” Pas de Deux from “Diamonds” and “The Lottery” (October 4 – 6); Hungarian State Folk Ensemble (November 22); “Too Hot to Handel: The Jazz-Gospel Messiah” (January 18 - 19); Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (February 28 – March 9); Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan’s “Songs of the Wanderers” (March 14 and 16); Houston Ballet’s “Aladdin” (March 22 – 23); Chick Corea and Béla Fleck (April 5); River North Dance Chicago (April 12); “The Idan Raichel Project” (May 15); and Paul Taylor Dance Company (May 17–18). 

About the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E Congress Pkwy, is an Illinois, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural, community and educational programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre. The Auditorium Theatre is generously supported by the MacArthur Foundation, the NIB Foundation, the Illinois Arts Council and the Palmer House Hilton.  For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theater tours, call (312) 341-2310 or visit AuditoriumTheatre.org .

About Ballet West

From Balanchine to Bournonville and Petipa to Tharp, Ballet West boasts a rich and varied repertoire, elegant and versatile artists, and an American style and legacy that is dynamic, expansive and unexpected. Established by Willam F. Christensen in 1963, the company has toured the world several times over presenting the very best in American classical ballet. With 40 company members, 11 second company members, and a thriving Academy, Ballet West ranks among the top professional ballet companies in America. Since its inception, the Company has had five artistic directors – its founder Willam Christensen, Bruce Marks, John Hart, Jonas Kåge and, currently, Adam Sklute.

Since 2007, Sklute, former dancer, Ballet Master and Associate Director of The Joffrey Ballet, has further energized and expanded Ballet West’s remarkable repertoire with works by the most renowned choreographers of today such as Ulysses Dove, Jiri Kylian, Mark Morris, Twyla Tharp, and Stanton Welch. Sklute has also introduced historical masterpieces from the great Ballets Russes and continues to preserve Ballet West’s classical legacy.  Sklute continues to strengthen Ballet West’s heritage by introducing new creations by local, national and international choreographers. With this eclectic and ever expanding outlook, Ballet West is truly an American pioneer in the world of dance.

Rubies Photo Credit Erik Ostling