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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 19, 2015
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Presents
American Ballet Theatre
Kevin McKenzie, Artistic Director
in
Cinderella
and
A Program of Mixed Repertory
including
Balanchine’s Theme & Variations
Tudor’s Pillar of Fire,
de Mille’s Rodeo
March 24 –29, 2015 in the Opera House
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – American Ballet Theatre (#ABTdc2015) returns to the Kennedy
Center Opera House with Frederick Ashton’s Cinderella, and a program of mixed repertory that
includes three works originally created for American Ballet Theatre: George Balanchine’s Theme
& Variations, Anthony Tudor’s Pillar of Fire, and Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo in the Opera House
March 24-29, 2015.
Ashton’s romantic Cinderella features music by Sergei Prokofiev and sets and costumes
by David Walker. Loosely following the traditional fairy tale, the story begins with Cinderella’s
solo in the kitchen as she dreams of one day becoming a ballerina. The dream is realized when
she steps into the Grand Ballroom of the Prince’s castle. At the end of the ball, she takes her
place back in the kitchen; it is there that she recalls the "glass slippers," which in Ashton’s ballet
are replaced by pointe shoes.
Created in 1947 for American Ballet Theatre by George Balanchine, Theme and
Variations is set to the final movement of Tchaikovsky’s Suite No. 3 for Orchestra. The plotless
ballet made stars of Alicia Alonso and Igor Youskevitch, and was intended to, as Balanchine
once wrote, "evoke that great period in classical dancing when Russian ballet flourished." Pillar
of Fire, Antony Tudor’s very first American project after arriving from London, debuted in
1942. The ballet follows Hagar, an unmarried woman impregnated by a man she does not love.
Ostracized by her community, she despairs at finding happiness until her one true love offers her
acceptance and forgiveness. Agnes de Mille created Rodeo for ABT in 1942. Rodeo, subtitled
The Courting at Burnt Ranch, is a love story of the American Southwest. The problem it deals
with is perennial: how an American girl, with the odds seemingly all against her, sets out to get
herself a man. The girl in this case is a cowgirl, a tomboy whose desperate efforts to become one
of the ranch's cowhands create a problem for the cowboys and make her the laughingstock of
womankind.
Since its inception in 1939, American Ballet Theatre has developed an unequalled
repertoire spanning 19th century classics, early 20th century masterpieces, and acclaimed
contemporary dances. The company has performed at the Kennedy Center annually since it
opened in 1971.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets are $25 to $109 and can be purchased online, at the Kennedy Center box office or by
calling Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600 or (800) 444-1324.
PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE AND PRINCIPAL CASTING
American Ballet Theatre
Kevin McKenzie, Artistic Director
Cinderella
Choreography by Frederick Ashton
Music by Sergei Prokofiev
Sets and Costumes by David Walker
PRINCIPAL CASTING (subject to change)
Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. Gillian Murphy, James Whiteside
Friday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m and Sunday, March 29 at 1:30 p.m. Hee Seo, Cory Stearns
Saturday, March 28 at 1:30 p.m. Xiomara Reyes, Joseph Gorak
Saturday, March 28 at 7:30 p.m. Julie Kent, Marcelo Gomes
Theme and Variations
(Tchaikovsky/Balanchine)
Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. Isabella Boylston, Danil Simkin
Wednesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. Sarah Lane, Joseph Gorak
Pillar of Fire
(Schoenberg/Tudor)
Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. Gillian Murphy
Wednesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. Julie Kent
Rodeo
(Copland/de Mille)
Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. Xiomara Reyes, James Whiteside
Wednesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. Misty Copeland, Salstein
The Kennedy Center’s Ballet Season is presented with the support of
Elizabeth and Michael Kojaian.
General Dynamics is the proud sponsor of the 2014-2015 Ballet Season.
American Ballet Theatre is made possible through generous endowment support of The Lee and
Juliet Folger Fund.
For more information about the Kennedy Center visit www.kennedy-center.org.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Amanda Hunter
(202) 416-8441
aehunter@kennedy-center.org
GENERAL INFORMATION:
(202) 467-4600; (800) 444-1324