City Ballet of San Diego marks 30th Anniversary Season with new shows

by SDNEWS staff

The critically acclaimed City Ballet of San Diego, based in Pacific Beach, under the direction of Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich, both former Boston Ballet and Stuttgart Ballet dancers, marks its 30th Anniversary Season with an expanded season. The company, known for its innovative programming of classical, contemporary, and story ballets, performs at a variety of theaters in the San Diego area this season.

“With increased audiences, City Ballet is offering more performances in both San Diego and North County while our beloved home theater, the historic Spreckels Theatre, undergoes renovations. Having been hailed as San Diego’s best dance company, we are thrilled to take our productions to a broader audience,” said Steven Wistrich.

In July, the company presented another On the Move production, but this time resident choreographer Geoffrey Gonzalez created all new choreography and reimaged ballet classics at the Torrey Pines Performing Arts Center. Even audience members not familiar with the iconic ballet classics enjoyed the program with its innovative and diverse sections that truly showcased the talents of the dance artists.

The fall program in November, titled From Balanchine to Martins, celebrates ballet masterworks from the 20th century by the father of American ballet, George Balanchine, and the famed New York City Ballet principal dancer, choreographer, and artistic director Peter Martins. Performances will be presented at both the Balboa Theatre, downtown San Diego, and the California Center for the Arts in Escondido.

The program includes George Balanchine’s Rubies, with its sexy energy and athleticism, and the San Diego premiere of his delightful Divertimento from Le Baiser de la Fee, one of his greatest and most unusual works. The challenging and exciting Ash by Peter Martins completes this ballet lovers’ program.

In December, The Nutcracker, which received the Tommy Award for the “Best Nutcracker” in San Diego, is expanded to five performances this season. The beloved holiday classic will be performed at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido accompanied by The City Ballet Orchestra with John Nettles conducting.

The Nutcracker is the classic Victorian-era story of the adventures of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Herr Drosselmeyer, and the Sugar Plum Fairy told through a magical theatrical experience to Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s famous score. Young and old alike will be captivated by Elizabeth Wistrich’s choreography, exquisite costumes, and grand sets. A heart-warming production for families to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit.

Next March, City Ballet pays tribute to its talented and versatile resident choreographers, Elizabeth Wistrich and Geoffrey Gonzalez, in a program fittingly titled, Inspiration in Motion, again redefining how ballet is performed. This production of favorites and new contemporary ballets is offered at both The Conrad in La Jolla and California Center for the Arts, Escondido. Elizabeth stages her popular Beyond the Circle and Straw Feet, while Geoff creates an all-new Battu, performed live by drummer-composer Adam Larocca.

Closing the season next May at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido is the full-length production of Romeo & Juliet by resident choreographer Elizabeth Wistrich – a lavish production based on William Shakespeare’s play of the greatest love story of all time. Created in 1595 and set in Renaissance Italy, tells the story of two teenagers from warring families that meet, fall in love, and rush headlong toward their destiny has withstood the test of time. The ballet is performed to Sergei Prokofiev’s lush score, played by the City Ballet Orchestra, which brings this classic love story thrillingly to life. Ballet storytelling at its best.

Carnival of the Animals

An introduction to the world of classical ballet and music for young children and their families. Includes pre-show activities for children and photo opportunities with City Ballet dance artists.

Saturday, Nov. 12, at 1:30 p.m.

Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave.
All-ages family ballet.

From Balanchine to Martins – 20th Century Masterworks

Saturday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m. at the Balboa Theatre.

Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Balboa Theatre.

Thursday, Nov. 17, at 8 p.m. at California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Rubies

Music: Igor Stravinsky.

Choreography: George Balanchine.

World Premiere by New York City Ballet at the New York State Theatre April 1967.

Last performed by City Ballet of San Diego in 2019.

Ash

Music: Michael Torke.

Choreography: Peter Martins.

First performed by New York City Ballet at the New York State Theatre June 1991.

First performed and last performed by City Ballet of San Diego in November 2017.

Divertimento from Baiser De La Fee

San Diego Premiere

Music: Igor Stravinsky.

Choreography: George Balanchine.

World Premiere by American Ballet, at the Metropolitan Opera, NY April 1937.

New York City Ballet premiere at New York State Theater, June 1972.

Free Pre-performance Lecture: 45 minutes prior to each performance

Venues: Performances at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave. California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N Escondido Blvd.

The Nutcracker

Accompanied by The City Ballet Orchestra, John Nettles conducting.

Wednesday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 22, at 2 p.m.

Thursday, Dec. 22, at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 23, at 2 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 23, at 7:30 p.m.

Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Costumes: designed by David Heuvel.

Choreography: Elizabeth Wistrich after Lev Ivanov, Vassily Vainonen, and Rudolph Nureyev.

First performed at the Maryinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia, December 1892.

First performed in the United States by San Francisco Ballet, December 1944.

Elizabeth Wistrich first choreographed the ballet for American Festival Ballet in 1980, then re-staged it for City Ballet in 1995. It has been performed yearly since then, even during the recent pandemic.

Awarded the ‘Best Nutcracker’ in San Diego by the San Diego Area Dance Alliance Tommy Awards.

Venue: Performances at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, 340 N Escondido Blvd. Free parking.

Inspiration in Motion – Ballet Redefined

Friday, March 17, at 8 p.m. at The Conrad in La Jolla.

Saturday, March 18, at 8 p.m. at The Conrad in La Jolla.

Sunday, March 19, at 2 p.m. at The Conrad in La Jolla.

Wednesday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m. at California Center for the Arts, Escondido.

Beyond the Circle

Music: Osama Kitajima and Tetsuro Naito.

Choreography: Elizabeth Wistrich.

First performed by City Ballet of San Diego March 1999.

Last performed by City Ballet of San Diego March 2002.