New York City Ballet's 2015–2016 Lineup Is Bunhead Gold
Each year around this time, the ballet companies of the world begin revealing the programming for their upcoming seasons. And every time a season-announcement press release lands in my inbox, I squeal like a kid on Christmas morning—because they’re all full of delicious ballet goodies. Premieres! Revivals! Old favorites! YUM, YUM AND YUM.
New York City Ballet announced its 2015–2016 season yesterday—and it’s scrumptious, you guys. There are 58 ballets on the lineup, featuring music by 47 composers. There are no fewer than seven (!) world premieres, including two from golden boy Justin Peck, one from up-and-comer Myles Thatcher and one from established genius Christopher Wheeldon. Balanchine’s gorgeous Jewels is coming back, along with 27 other Balanchine ballets. The scale of it all is just so huge! AHHHHHHH.
Abi Stafford and Jared Angle in “Emeralds” from Jewels *swoon* (photo by Paul Kolnik)
What am I most excited about? Well, I’m a Peck obsessive, so obviously his two premieres are at the top of my list. But get this: His new work for the spring season will actually be a story ballet, based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale The Most Incredible Thing. Just when I thought I’d nailed Peck down as a thoroughly modern guy, he goes and creates a narrative work! Love it. Also, three of the premieres will be created by people who’ve never choreographed for NYCB before: Thatcher, Canadian artist Robert Binet and the British-based Kim Brandstrup. I’m curious to see what their chemistry with the company will be like.
You can read about the full season lineup here. In the meantime, get excited for the company’s nearer-at-hand spring season, which kicks off April 28. So much balletttttttttt!