February 01, 2010
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Makes Cleveland Debut Feb. 27-28: Contemporary Dance Company Shines in Eclectic Repertory
When Aspen Santa Fe Ballet takes the stage at PlayhouseSquare on Feb. 27-28, this young troupe of dancers will showcase an adventurous sampling of choreographic styles including Sue's Leg, a work by famed dancemaker Twyla Tharp.
Presented by DANCECleveland and PlayhouseSquare, the company will perform at the Ohio Theatre on Saturday, Feb. 27 at 8 pm and Sunday, Feb. 28 at 2 pm. Tickets can be purchased at 216-241-6000 or playhousesquare.org.
Sue's Leg, set to songs sung by Fats Waller, is a breezy homage to 1930s dance halls. Also on the eclectic repertory are three additional dances: Red Sweet, sought-after choreographer Jorma Elo shows the company at its technical best with music by Vivaldi and Biber; Slingerland, a pas de deux by William Forsythe with music by Gavin Bryars; and In Hidden Seconds, a new piece by Nickola Fonte to music by John Tavener.
The company, barely 15 years old, is known for its musicality, athleticism and all-out dancing. Artistic Director Tom Mossbrucker and Executive Director Jean-Philippe Malaty are committed to presenting contemporary classical dance with an emphasis on commissioning new works. With its unique style and innovative repertoire, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is one of the country's preeminent touring contemporary ballet companies.
Bebe Schweppe founded the company in 1996 in Aspen, CO, then established a second home in Santa Fe, NM in 2000. With its broad appeal and eclectic repertory, audiences nationally and internationally have embraced this vibrant company on stages from the Joyce Theatre and the Kennedy Center to venues in Canada, France, Greece and Italy.
"It's a class act, a classic act, and an extraordinarily engaging act: it's the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet . . . the company has much of the pulsating energy of the old Joffrey Ballet in its New York City Center days." New York Post
"Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is a sophisticated, young company that has the dance world talking." The Star-Ledger
For more about the company, go to www.aspensantafeballet.com
LISTING SUMMARY
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
Co-presented by DANCECleveland and PlayhouseSquare
Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010 at 2 pm
Ohio Theatre, PlayhouseSquare
1501 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115
Call 216-241-6000
playhousesquare.org
ELECTRONIC PHOTOS AVAILABLE FROM PAM BARR AT 216-932-5060 or barrp@roadrunner.com