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SALT LAKE CITY — Following the magic of Ballet West's 60th anniversary and its record-breaking attendance for "Dracula," "The Nutcracker" and "Swan Lake" comes the company's 2024-25 season.
The new season is marked with premiering shows, marked favorites and its family classic series. Like previous seasons, the Ballet West Orchestra will provide live music under the direction of music director Jared Oaks. The upcoming productions will feature music from Henryk Górecki, Modest Mussorgsky, Sergei Prokofiev, Igor Stravinsky, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and others.
"This is a season of phenomenal music, showcasing some of the most vibrant and diverse programming Ballet West has ever had, featuring the brilliant work of some of the world's most sought choreographers," said Ballet West artistic director Adam Sklute.
The season will begin on Oct. 25 with the Utah premiere of "Jekyll & Hyde," a psychological thriller based on the 19th-century novel. The production comes on the heels of last season's thrilling success of "Dracula," which had record-breaking attendance.
"This horror classic arrives just in time for Halloween as Val Caniparoli's dramatic and intense new full-length ballet explores the dark side of the human psyche," the company writes in its season announcement.
Directly following is the production of "Pictures at an Exhibition," a trio of ballets marked by two Utah premieres and featuring Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon.
"The Nutcracker" will also return, celebrating 80 years of America's first "Nutcracker." Last year, over 50,000 audience members enjoyed the classical production with most performances selling out.
"From the intense theatricality of 'Jekyll & Hyde' to the glorious magic of 'Cinderella,' the unique visions of renowned choreographers in our 'Pictures at an Exhibition' program and the explosive dynamics of 'The Rite of Spring.' We really are offering something for everyone," added Sklute.
The season's schedule is as follows:
- "Jeckyll & Hyde," Oct. 25-Nov. 2
- "Pictures at an Exhibition: Serenade"; "Pictures at an Exhibition: Within the Golden Hour," Nov. 8-16
- "The Nutcracker," Dec. 6-28
- "Cinderella," Feb. 7-16
- "The Rite of Spring" April 4-12
- "Aladdin," March 28-29
- "Works from Within," May 14-17
