February 15–18, 2007

January 3, 2007 – With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, many Milwaukeeans will struggle with deciding how to treat that special someone. The Milwaukee Ballet offers a solution with its performance of “Premieres of Passionate Dance” – three works never before seen in Milwaukee – February 15–18 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. This three-ballet series offers new viewers a chance to sample ballet in a unique way through Margo Sappington’s “Common People,” Trey McIntyre’s “Second Before the Ground,” and George Balanchine’s “Agon.”

This exciting program includes a world premiere by virtuoso choreographer Margo Sappington. Sappington has worked with celebrities from Prince to The Indigo Girls. The creator of the renowned “Virgin Forest” and a prolific choreographer and dancer, Sappington has crafted a brand new piece for the Milwaukee Ballet. Choreographed to William Shatner’s poetry from his CD “Has Been” and put to music by Ben Folds, the piece entitled “Common People” is sure to entertain audiences from curtain rise to curtain fall.

The showcase will also feature the Milwaukee premiere of Trey McIntyre’s “Second Before the Ground” featuring fast, leap-filled footwork set to several African compositions recorded by the Kronos Quartet. The Houston Press’ Lauren Kern described “Second Before the Ground” as “…a ballet about love, and there are many funny, flirtatious and wonderfully intimate moments between the lovers in the three pas de deux. But the work is just as much about McIntyre’s love of dance. Falling in love can make you feel like dancing; dancing sometimes feels like falling in love.”

The third piece is George Balanchine’s 1950’s edgy “Agon” with music by Igor Stravinsky. A true icon in the ballet world, Balanchine created 425 works before his death in 1983. Called one of the most brilliant and significant artistic achievements of the twentieth century, “Agon,” in Balanchine’s own words, is the quintessential contemporary ballet. In it, the great collaboration between himself and Igor Stravinsky enters a new phase.

“Premieres of Passionate Dance” Show Times
Thursday, February 15 @ 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 16 @ 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 17 @ 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 18 @ 1:30 p.m.

Ticket Info

Tickets to the Milwaukee Ballet’s “Premieres of Passionate Dance” are $20-80 and can be purchased by calling the Marcus Center box office at (414) 273-7206 or toll free (888) 612-3500 or by visiting the Milwaukee Ballet Web site at www.milwaukeeballet.org.

About the Milwaukee Ballet

Founded in 1970, the Milwaukee Ballet Company strives to inspire its audiences to think within and beyond traditional ballet through the presentation of outstanding performances and 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.  The Milwaukee Ballet School, official school of the Milwaukee
Ballet Company, provides quality dance instruction to more than 1000 students per year at four locations.  For more information about the Milwaukee Ballet Company or the Milwaukee Ballet School, call 414-643-7677 or visit the Milwaukee Ballet online at www.milwaukeeballet.org.