North Carolina Dance Theatre

Contact: Logan McSwain
Communications Manager
704.372.0101 x 107
lmcswain@ncdance.org

For Immediate Release

Charlotte, N.C. (May 10, 2007) – North Carolina Dance Theatre (N.C. Dance Theatre) offers an eclectic season full of dynamic and masterful dance in the company’s 2007-08 season. Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, president and artistic director, points out that N.C. Dance Theatre is comprised of multi-faceted artists and choreographers who hail from various nationalities, cultures and movement styles. It is this diversity that has inspired the dance selections for the 2007-08 season.

Highlights of the 2007-08 season include nearly a dozen Charlotte or World Premieres. The season's works range from cutting-edge contemporary to romantic classics, drawing upon the music of Gershwin, Spanish Bolero, Italian Renaissance and other worldly sources for inspiration. New this season, both Innovative Works and Rhoden, Bolero and Balanchine will run for two weeks in the Booth Playhouse. Also expanded is the Matinee Magic series. This season three weekends of dance matinees for the entire family will be offered. The Charlotte Premiere of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's Romeo and Juliet closes the 2007-08 season.

Dates:
Thursday, September 20, 2007, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, September 21, 2007, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, September 22, 2007, at 8 p.m.

Audiences will marvel as N.C. Dance Theatre presents works by three New York choreographers in Manhattan Moves South. The season opens with a Charlotte Premiere by Dwight Rhoden, resident choreographer of N.C. Dance Theatre and artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Dance.

Alvin Ailey's classic Night Creature, graces the stage with sensual and striking movements, propelled by a Duke Ellington symphonic score. Topping off the program is Nine Sinatra Songs, a culmination of choreographer Twyla Tharp's Tony-Award-winning talents, legend Frank Sinatra's timeless tunes, and fashion designer Oscar de la Renta's glamorous costumes.

Dates:
Saturday, September 22, 2007, at 2 p.m.
Sunday, September 23, 2007, at 2 p.m.

Mark Diamond, program director for N.C. Dance Theatre’s second company, creates enchantment within the age-old tale of compassion in Beauty & the Beast. The good-hearted Beauty's love for the unbecoming Beast reminds us that "you can't always judge a book by its cover." This program is part of the Matinee Magic series.

Dates:
Thursday, November 1, 2007, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 2, 2007, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 3, 2007, at 8 p.m.
Thursday, November 8, 2007, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 9, 2007, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, November 10, 2007, at 8 p.m.

Wildly popular with audiences, Innovative Works showcases the latest in emerging talent and cutting-edge choreography and music. This season's program boasts World Premieres by Mark Diamond and Uri Sands, and a Charlotte Premiere by Dwight Rhoden. N.C. Dance Theatre company member Sasha Janes makes his mark as choreographer with the Charlotte Premiere of his captivating Lascia La Spina Cogli La Rose. Also back by popular demand is Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato's Na Floresta. Presented in the Booth Playhouse, this evening brings audience members up-close and personal to the artists on stage.

Dates:
Friday, December 14, 2007, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 15, 2007, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 16, 2007, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Friday, December 21, 2007, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 22, 2007, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 23, 2007, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's Nutcracker is a classic family ballet and holiday tradition presented through the eyes of a young and talented Clara as she enters the Land of Snow and the Land of Sweets through a magical dream. This program enchants audiences of all ages. The stage will light up with over 100 dancers, including students from the School of N.C. Dance Theatre. New this year, auditions for children’s roles will be open to the public. Matinee Magic performances: Saturday, December 15, and Sunday, December 16, at 2 p.m.

Dates:
Thursday, February 28, 2008, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 29, 2008, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 1, 2008, at 8 p.m.
Thursday, March 6, 2008, at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 7, 2008, at 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 8, 2008, at 8 p.m.

When George Balanchine created Who Cares? on New York City Ballet in 1969, front and center was N.C. Dance Theatre's own Associate Artistic Director and former New York City Ballet principal Patricia McBride. Who Cares? showcases the dancers' technical brilliance and playful exuberance alike.

Also in this program is a World Premiere from Dwight Rhoden, and the Charlotte Premiere of Mark Diamond's exciting and Latin-infused Bolero. Presented in the intimacy of the Booth Playhouse, audiences will not miss a single step!

N.C. Dance Theatre conjures the intense drama of Shakespeare with a powerful portrayal of Romeo and Juliet. This Charlotte Premiere, with choreography by Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, will weave the star-crossed lovers' story, to a score by Romantic French composer Hector Berlioz.

Dancers and audience will dive into an underwater world with the World Premiere of Mark Diamond's The Little Mermaid. Based upon Hans Christian Andersen's fable, Mark Diamond's ballet chronicles a young mermaid through her adventures of discovering a new world. This program is part of the Matinee Magic series.

Subscriptions & Tickets:
North Carolina Dance Theatre offers a variety of subscription packages. Matinee Magic includes tickets to Beauty and the Beast, Nutcracker and The Little Mermaid. An Opening Night Insiders subscription includes tickets to Manhattan Moves South, Innovative Works, Romeo and Juliet and Rhoden, Bolero & Balanchine. Opening Night Insiders is the young patron’s group of N.C Dance Theatre.

Subscriptions can be purchased by calling the North Carolina Blumenthal Performing Arts Center box office at 704.335.1010 or by visiting the box office, located in Founders Hall of the Bank of America Corporate Center, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Subscriptions may also be ordered online at www.ncdance.org.

Single tickets for individual shows will be available August 13, 2007. For single tickets, call 704.372.1000. To receive a season booklet, call 704.372.0101 or visit the box office, located in Founders Hall of the Bank of America Corporate Center, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Details:
North Carolina Dance Theatre has established itself as one of America’s premier dance companies. Led by internationally acclaimed President and Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, N.C. Dance Theatre is based on strong dancers, high energy and a versatile repertoire that ranges from classical ballet to bold contemporary works. The School of N.C. Dance Theatre parallels the professional company’s tradition of excellence.

North Carolina Dance Theatre is supported by individuals, the Arts & Science Council-Charlotte/Mecklenburg, Inc., corporations, local and national foundations, the North Carolina Arts Council, ArtsTeach and the National Endowment for the Arts.