It’s Your Dream Season with the Milwaukee Ballet

MILWAUKEE – Milwaukee Ballet Artistic Director Michael Pink announces thrilling
premieres and breathtaking classics for Milwaukee’s premier ballet company in 2006-07. The
season kicks off with the return of Marius Petitpa’s “Don Quixote”, followed by the holiday
family favorite, “The Nutcracker.” February brings the return of critically acclaimed “Virgin
Forest”, and the Milwaukee Ballet at the Pabst in March features The 2nd Genesis International
Choreographic Competition. The fiery classic, “Romeo and Juliet” will cap off a brilliant season
in May.

DON QUIXOTE, October 12-15, 2006: Milwaukee Ballet recreates Miguel de Cervantes’
classic tale of chivalry and romance, “Don Quixote”. Staged by Michael Pink, this full-length
ballet intertwines the delusional adventures of Don Quixote and his sidekick Sancho Panza, with
the exploits of the gallant young barber Basilio and his courtship of the captivating Kitri. “Don
Quixote” is set to the music of Ludwig Minkus and based on Cervantes’ 17th century literary
masterpiece. Marius Petipa originally choreographed this action-packed ballet for Moscow’s
Bolshoi Ballet in 1869. Created during the “golden age” of ballet, Petipa combined Spanish-style
dances with the technique and structure of classical ballet.

THE NUTCRACKER, December 15-29, 2006: The Milwaukee Ballet’s 2006-07 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 played by the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, 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.

VIRGIN FOREST, February 15-18, 2007: Commissioned by the Milwaukee Ballet in 1987,
Margo Sappington’s “Virgin Forest” returns to the Marcus Center stage. Based on the paintings
of Henri Rousseau, “Virgin Forest” brings the jungle to life on stage with the original music of
Paul Schwartz played live by the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra. Also on the program is George
Balanchine’s “Agon” with music by Igor Stravinsky and the Milwaukee premiere of Trey
McIntyre’s “Second Before the Ground”. “Set to several African compositions recorded by the
Kronos Quartet, Second Before the Ground is a bouncy ballet, with fast footwork, toss-up lifts,
pelvic thrusts and modern takes on folky steps.” Lauren Kern – Houston Press

THE 2nd GENESIS INTERNATIONAL CHOREOGRAPHIC COMPETITION, March 22-
25, 2007: Milwaukee audiences will be among the first to witness the evolving new talent that
the international ballet scene has to offer. Artistic Director Michael Pink will choose four
talented choreographers from around the world to showcase their chosen piece before Milwaukee
audiences.  A panel of respected artists will be on hand to choose the best of these four works
and the winner will be offered a contract for a future commission to create an original work for
the Milwaukee Ballet.

ROMEO AND JULIET, May 10-13, 2007: Michael Pink’s fiery retelling of William
Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” will close the Milwaukee Ballet’s 2006-2007 season. This
tale of two star-crossed young lovers brilliantly creates a tug-of-war between true love and
family duty as young Juliet and handsome Romeo must decide between their passion for each
other and their desire to remain loyal to their feuding families.  With stunning costume designs
created by Judanna Lynn and the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra’s performance of Prokofiev’s
beautiful score, this is sure to enchant audience members from curtain rise to curtain fall.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
Full-series subscribers receive a 25 percent discount off the full ticket price.  With this discount,
full series subscriptions range in price from $60 to $255.  Full-season 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.

Other subscription purchase options include the Mini-Series: pick three shows, excluding “The
Nutcracker”, and receive a 10% discount on the full ticket price and reserved seats.  For those
who prefer greater flexibility, the Flex-Pass package at a flat price of $195 includes four
vouchers which can be redeemed at the Milwaukee Ballet box office after August 28, 2006 for
any show and any ticket combination for the 2006-07 season, excluding “The Nutcracker” and
box seating. Single tickets are available to general public at prices ranging from $20 to $85 and
will go on sale in August 2006.

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 just under $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 2006-2007 season may also be
obtained online at www.milwaukeeballet.org.