"A Moving Sensation" is the title Ballet West has chosen for its 1995-96 season, consisting of several premieres, three full-length ballets, the 40th anniversary of "The Nutcracker" in Utah and a Utah Centennial Celebration in the company's original home, the newly renovated Kingsbury Hall on the University of Utah campus.
The season begins Sept. 15-23 with the Utah premiere of Peter Anastos' "Peter Pan," choreographed to an original score by Carmon DeLeone.Transporting young and old to Never Never Land, the production will feature characters flying through the air and a fantastic battle on Capt. Hook's pirate ship. Original set design will be by Jay Depenbrock, with costume design by Claudia Lynch.
Nov. 3-11 the company revives its production of "Lady of the Camelias," inspired by the opera "La Traviata" and the film "Camille" and first unveiled in 1994. With choreography by Ballet West resident choreographer Val Cani-par-oli and music by Chopin, "Lady of the Camelias" was last performed, by special request, as the season opener at the 25th anniversary of DanceAspen.
"The Nutcracker" returns Dec. 8-30, 40 years after its first performances in 1955 at Kingsbury Hall. With choreography by Willam Christensen and Tchaikovsky's beloved music, the production also features Ariel Ballif's sets and costumes.
Another fantasy fable takes the stage Feb. 12-20 in the form of "Coppelia," the 1870 French ballet based on E.T.A. Hoffmann's story of a mechanical doll. Choreographed by Ben Stevenson, the production features the familiar Delibes score and sets and costumes by Desmond Heeley.
April 12-22, 1996, the company returns to Kingsbury for a three-premiere "Centennial Celebration" in honor of the 100th anniversary of Utah statehood.
They will consist of "Paramour," choreographed by Graham Lustig to music of Poulenc, portraying the social dalliances of 1930s; "Desert as a Rose," with an original score by Crawford Gates and choreography by Raymond Van Mason, embodying the grandeur and strength of Utah and its people; and a new work by Val Caniparoli.
Subscription prices range from $32 to $240, representing a discount of up to 32 percent on single ticket prices. As an extra benefit, season subscribers may preorder "Nutcracker" and "Phantom of the Opera" tickets before they go on sale to the general public.
For information, contact the subscriber services department at 323-6920.