Ib Andersen’s Romeo and Juliet Concludes Kansas City Ballet 50th Anniversary Celebration With Expanded Run at Music Hall
Following stunning New York City debut at The Joyce Theater, Kansas City Ballet to present Kansas City premiere of evening-length ballet by legendary Ib Andersen
April 25-27 & May 1-3

KANSAS CITY, MO (March 31, 2008) – The finale of Kansas City Ballet’s 50th anniversary season will be the Kansas City premiere of Romeo and Juliet, choreographed by Ib Andersen set to the haunting music of Sergei Prokofiev. One of the most popular ballets in the world, the tale of star-crossed lovers has inspired music and dance for more than 400 years. This lavish production is sure to be a highlight in an already hugely successful golden anniversary year. Due to the anticipated popularity of this spectacular performance with live accompaniment with members of the Kansas City Symphony conducted by Music Director Ramona Pansegrau, Romeo and Juliet will be presented in seven performances over two weekends, April 25-27 and May 1-3 at the Music Hall.

The Spring Program comes on the heels of a highly acclaimed debut March 11-16 at the prestigious Joyce Theater in New York City. Kansas City Ballet was invited to present the Winter Program, which included Kansas City Ballet’s Artistic Director William Whitener’s First Position, Twyla Tharp’s Brahms Paganini and Hey-Hay, Going to Kansas City by Donald McKayle.  New York and international press praised the production and the company, noting “Kansas City… an impeccable destination for serious ballet.” (Time Out New York, March 6-12, 2008). Please visit http://www.kcballet.org/aboutus/news_press/joyce-mar08-articles.html to read the full reviews and articles.

Ib Andersen, artistic director of Ballet Arizona, choreographed this emotional ballet about young love, conflict and tragedy. “Romeo and Juliet is about passion and the power of young love. It’s about an emotion so powerful it can take your breath away,” Mr. Andersen says.

Talking about the production William Whitener notes, “Ib Andersen was one of the greatest classical ballet dancers of his generation. Today’s audiences will see his artistry and musicality come to life in this marvelous production.”

Kansas City Ballet’s premiere production has been made possible, in part, by the generous support of the Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts, Commerce Bank Trustee, Hall Family Foundation, DST Systems, and Bank of America. Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation is the lead supporter of the Ballet’s Golden Anniversary Season. The Ballet also appreciates its Season Partners: Hotel Phillips, KUDL 98.1, The Kansas City Star, and KSHB TV 41.

About Kansas City Ballet
Founded in 1957, Kansas City Ballet is a 26-member professional ballet company under the direction of Artistic Director William Whitener and Executive Director Jeffrey J. Bentley. The company’s mission is to offer our community, region and dance profession, dance experiences of the highest quality. The Kansas City Ballet is home to Kansas City Ballet School for nearly 600 children and adults, offering professional training for the career-minded student as well as for those seeking a healthy lifestyle. Through our professional company, school and community outreach programs such as ROAD, Project X, and Dance INFORMances, we seek to nurture and develop our artists, audiences and students in the creativity, diversity and joy of dance.

Kansas City Ballet is celebrating its golden anniversary with a year of programming that has included five Kansas City premieres, two world premieres, the 35th anniversary of The Nutcracker, a New York City debut at the Joyce Theater, a Kennedy Center debut, a commemorative book, and special events. One world premiere Hey-Hay, Going to Kansas City by Donald McKayle was commissioned by the ballet and paid homage to the golden age of jazz in Kansas City. Artistic director William Whitener choreographed the second world premiere ballet, First Position. The company will complete its 50th anniversary main stage season with the evening-length classical ballet, Romeo and Juliet choreographed by Ib Andersen to the music of Prokofiev. In addition to The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet is another chance for Kansas City to enjoy an evening-length ballet set to music from a prolific Russian composer conducted by Ramona Pansegrau played by members of Kansas City Symphony. For more information about Kansas City Ballet’s 50th anniversary season, please explore the Web site at www.kcballet.org or call 816.931.2232.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

SEASON SUBSCRIBER INFORMATION
To make ballet affordable for everyone, the Series Subscription Package includes major savings and benefits for the Fall, Winter, and Spring Programs including: ticket discounts, savings on single ticket prices, priority seating, free ticket exchange and the chance to purchase discounted tickets for The Nutcracker before they go on sale to the general public. For ticket information for the 2008-2009 Season, please call Kansas City Ballet box office at 816.931.2232 or visit our Web site at www.kcballet.org.

STUDENT AND SENIOR DISCOUNTS
Students and seniors may arrive at the Music Hall box office one to two hours prior to Spring Program, and get any available seat for just $10 with a valid I.D. A limited number are available, so arrive early.

BARRE: Kansas City Ballet’s Young Friends Group
Kansas City Ballet BARRE is a subscription group for ballet enthusiasts, age 21-40. They invite you to share a dynamic season with other young professionals who support the arts. Kansas City Ballet BARRE members enjoy a Friday night season ticket with pre-show happy hours, discounted Nutcracker tickets combined with a post-performance party, backstage tours, meeting the dancers and mingling with other members at special events – all while supporting Kansas City Ballet. For more information, please contact Karen at 816.931.2232 x304, email barre@kcballet.org, or visit the new Web site at www.kcbbarre.org.

Join BARRE on Friday, April 25, 5:30 p.m. for Spring Happy Hour (FREE FOR BARRE MEMBERS)
Before any great love story, it’s best to enjoy drinks, appetizers and FREE valet parking. Join us for all three provided by Hotel Phillips in 12 Baltimore Café & Bar (106 West 12th Street, KCMO). Then get thee to the Music Hall (13th & Central Streets, KCMO) to enjoy the 7:30 p.m. performance of Ib Andersen’s Romeo & Juliet. Free valet parking at Hotel Phillips. Tickets for non-BARRE members are $30 for the happy hour and performance. Reservations are preferred.

Spring Program
April 25-27 and May 1-3, 2008
Music Hall
13th and Central
Downtown Kansas City          

Romeo and Juliet                                           Ib Andersen/Sergei Prokofiev

Fri, Apr. 25      7:30 p.m.
Sat, Apr. 26      2:00 & 7:30 p.m.
Sun, Apr. 27     2:00 p.m.
Thurs, May 1    7:30 p.m.
Fri, May 2        7:30 p.m.
Sat, May 3        7:30 p.m.

Footnotes
Artistic Director William Whitener and special guests will give a pre-show talk one hour prior to each performance in the balcony lobby of the Music Hall.

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