It’s Your Year to Dance with the Milwaukee Ballet

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Ballet Artistic Director Michael Pink announces thrilling
premieres and beloved classics in the 35th Anniversary season for Milwaukee’s premier ballet
company in 2005-06. The season kicks off with the Milwaukee premiere of Michael Pink’s
“Dracula,” followed by the holiday family favorite, “The Nutcracker.” February brings the return
of Kathryn Posin’s “Scheherazade,” and the Milwaukee Ballet at the Pabst in March features
three modern pieces from guest choreographers. The beloved classic, “Swan Lake,” will cap off
a perfect season in May.

DRACULA, October 21-28, 2005: Michael Pink’s internationally acclaimed story ballet,
“Dracula,” will haunt the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in October 2005. Based on
Bram Stoker’s classic gothic horror story, “Dracula” is a frightening tale of the nocturnal Count
who survives on the blood of the living.  With the combination of dramatic choreography by
Michael Pink, an original score by Philip Feeney and set and costume design by Lez Brotherston,
“Dracula” delivers sensuality and danger in a dance narrative combining story enhancing sound
effects like the beating heart that opens the show and the frightened voices of the humans
Dracula is stalking.  Dracula’s movements are like that of a slowly swooping bat or a slithering
snake about to envelop its prey. “Dracula” is both fascinating, terrifying and romantic all at the
same time.

THE NUTCRACKER, December 16-28, 2005: The Milwaukee Ballet’s 2005-06 season would
not be complete without Milwaukee’s favorite holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker.”  Pink, who is
known for his ability to tell stories through movement, will bring thrilling new magic to the
Marcus Center stage, transforming it into an extraordinary and fun-filled holiday extravaganza
perfect for audiences of all ages. From the moment audiences hear the first melodies of
Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score, they are taken to the Drosselmeyer family holiday celebration –
a place where delicious food, festive dancing and gift giving commemorate the special occasion.
When one young girl falls asleep holding the nutcracker doll she had received as a gift, her
dreams take her into a land of make-believe where twirling snowflakes, flying angels and
magical, fantasy characters tickle her imagination.

SCHEHERAZADE, February 16-19, 2006: “Scheherazade” is the story of a young woman
sentenced to death by her husband, the Shah.  In an effort to save her life and the lives of others,
Scheherazade tells tales so intriguing that the Shah is lured into letting her live another day.
Among the stories that she uses to entertain and intrigue are the tales of “Ali Baba,” “Sinbad the
Sailor” and “Aladdin” – stories that have found their way into modern American culture.
Choreographed by Kathryn Posin and set to music by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov,
“Scheherazade” is sure to enchant audiences from curtain rise to curtain fall.

MILWAUKEE BALLET AT THE PABST, March 23-26, 2006: Modern, fresh – and all the
more wonderful presented up close and personal in the intimate Pabst Theater.  After receiving
popular and critical acclaim for his piece “Edge of Silence” in 2004 at the Pabst Theater, Lee-
Wei Chao will return to present another equally captivating world premiere. Also on the list of
guest choreographers is former principal dancer, Diego Carrasco, who is sure to present an
inspiring piece full of innovative movement.

SWAN LAKE, May 5-7, 2006: The most classic of all classical ballets will soar into the Marcus
Center of the Performing Arts, May 5-7, 2006 as the Milwaukee Ballet presents “Swan Lake.”
With original choreography by Lev Ivanov and Marius Petipa, “Swan Lake” tells the story of
Odette, a young woman cursed to live as a swan by day and woman by night.  This charming tale
will be set by Artistic Director Michael Pink in addition to his artistic staff, Denis Malinkine and
Nadia Thompson.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Full-series subscribers are invited to take advantage of a 25 percent discount off the full ticket
price.  With this discount, full series subscriptions range in price from $60 to $240.  Subscribers
receive additional benefits including the opportunity to purchase priority seating to “The
Nutcracker” at a 10 percent discount and an invitation to attend Dialogue for Dance, the popular
in-studio lecture series hosted at the Milwaukee Ballet’s headquarters, The Jodi Peck Center, 504
W. National Ave.  Single tickets are available to general public at prices ranging from $20 to $79
and will go on sale in September 2005.

Founded in 1970, the Milwaukee Ballet Company strives to inspire its audiences to think within
and beyond traditional ballet through the presentation of quality performances and the
implementation of educational opportunities.  With an annual operating budget of $5 million, the
Milwaukee Ballet Company presents more than 40 performances to 70,000 people each year.
For more information about the Milwaukee Ballet or to receive a season brochure, call
(414) 902-2103.  Information about the Milwaukee Ballet’s 2005-2006 season may also be
obtained online at www.milwaukeeballet.org.