August 20, 2008
Diablo Ballet has not only rebounded from a funding crisis that threatened to close its doors a year ago, the critically-acclaimed company will mount one of its most ambitious seasons yet to mark a major milestone – its 15th anniversary. Among the highlights, Diablo Ballet has been granted permission by the estate of author Antoine de Saint Exupéry to create a new ballet based on his children’s classic, The Little Prince, and the honor of becoming the first ballet company to present selections from the Tony-nominated Swing. As well, the Walnut Creek-based company will stage the Bay Area premiere of the critically-acclaimed Eyes on You by former San Francisco Ballet principal dancer Christopher Stowell, who is now the Artistic Director of Oregon Ballet Theatre.
The 2008-2009 season, presented by the Dean & Margaret Lesher Foundation, will begin on November 21-22 with “An Evening on Broadway,” featuring Stowell’s tribute to Cole Porter, duets from Lynn Taylor Corbett’s Broadway hit, and a celebration of the music of George Gershwin through George Balanchine’s Who Cares. On March 20-21, Diablo will present acclaimed choreographer Julia Adams’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream, followed by the world premiere of The Little Prince on May 8-9.
Also, for the first time, Diablo Ballet will also offer a Saturday matinee series for families, consisting of three 45-minute programs, followed by a reception in which young ticketholders can meet and have their photo taken with the dancers directly afterwards…
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