Saint Louis Ballet Presents “Tribute to New York”

The spring season of the 2011 Saint Louis Ballet will include Tribute to New York, a program which features four different pieces, each with a connection to New York.  The show for all ages will take place at the Touhill Performing Arts Center’s Anheuser-Busch Hall, April 2-3.

Tribute to New York is part of the Contemporary Series, one of the most popular series among Saint Louis Ballet enthusiasts. The title piece in this compelling program is choreographed by Christopher d’Amboise, a world-renowned choreographer. D’Amboise, who has created more than 60 ballets for companies in more than 20 countries, is just one of the luminaries featured this season. Tribute to New York features performances choreographed by Saint Louis Ballet artistic director Gen Horiuchi; New York City Ballet founder George Balanchine; as well as a guest performance by documentary film star Sokvannara Sar.

Tribute to New York is comprised of four pieces. The first piece, Allegro Brilliante, refers to the repertory of the same name from the New York City Ballet and features choreography by Balanchine and music by Tchaikovsky. Mopey, the second piece, features a solo by Sar, star of the film “Dancing Across Borders.” Sar studied at the School of American Ballet and lives in New York. Tribute, the third piece, was previously choreographed for the New York City Ballet in 2008. The fourth piece, Romantique, is choreographed by Horiuchi, a former New York City Ballet principal dancer.

Those who attend the April 3 performance of Tribute to New York will see a special performance of Grand Défilé of Saint Louis Ballet which will have a processional parade of dancers from the youngest Saint Louis Ballet school dancers all the way up through to the professional levels of the company. This event was orchestrated by Horiuchi who brings his long-awaited vision to life for the first time this spring.

Tribute to New York will be performed at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center’s Anheuser-Busch Hall Auditorium located on the University of Missouri-St. Louis campus. Tickets are currently on sale for $25, $37 and $47.  Performances take place Saturday, April 2, at 7:30 pm., and Sunday, April 3, at 2:00 pm. Tickets can be purchased online at www.touhill.org or by calling (314) 516-4949. 

On the evening of March 31, there will be a benefit reception entitled "Tribute to Saint Louis Ballet" to celebrate the guest dancers and choreographers for Tribute to New York and to recognize Horiuchi's tenth anniversary as Artistic Director of the Saint Louis Ballet. For tickets, additional information, and for season performance schedule, visit www.stlouisballet.org, or contact the Ballet office at info@stlouisballet.org or (636) 537-1998.