Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, February 29, 2016- Celebrating its 45th Anniversary Season, Oklahoma City Ballet has announced its 2016-2017 lineup of performances. Season ticket subscriptions are available for three or four performance packages.

Leading off the season will be Rodeo- A Triple Bill, October 21-23, 2016 at Civic Center Music Hall. This triple bill presents George Balanchine’s Serenade, Robert Mills’ Our Private Rooms, and Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo.

Leading off the evening, Serenade is a milestone in the history of dance. It is the first original ballet George Balanchine created in America and is one of the signature works of New York City Ballet’s repertory.
Artistic Director Robert Mills in recent years has created popular story ballets like Beauty and the Beast and Romeo and Juliet. For the first time since he choreographed the audience favorite Pushing Pennies, Mr. Mills delves back into the world of abstract contemporary ballet with his premiere of Our Private Rooms.

With its world famous score by Aaron Copeland, Rodeo is Agnes de Mille’s most beloved and most frequently presented ballet. Rodeo had its world premiere with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo at the Metropolitan Opera House, October 16, 1942.

This evening of will be a mix of neo-classical and contemporary ballet that will delight all audience members.

The Nutcracker, presented by Devon Energy, will return to the stage December 10-21, 2016. Choreographed by Oklahoma City Ballet’s Artistic Director Robert Mills, The Nutcracker is Oklahoma City’s favorite holiday tradition and is the perfect first ballet for children or adults. Over 100 children from The Dance Center of Oklahoma City Ballet join Oklahoma City Ballet’s stunning professional dancers, plus the Oklahoma City Philharmonic will perform Tchaikovsky’s famous score live to complete this dreamlike production the whole family will enjoy.

The first production of the new year will be The Sleeping Beauty on February 17-19, 2017. A feast for the eyes and ears, the charming fairytale features some of classical ballet’s most challenging yet enchanting choreography. This classic tale is the story of Princess Aurora, the evil Carabosse and the charming Prince Désiré, who pulls the Sleeping Beauty from her 100-year slumber. The production features luxurious sets and costumes, Tchaikovsky’s glorious score performed live by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and a fanciful cast of characters.

The season will end on a high note with the vibrant, mystical fantasy of William Shakespeare’s classic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, set for April 21-23, 2017. Set to Felix Mendelssohn’s lush score, Artistic Director Robert Mills brings the classic comedy to life for this fabulous world premiere. Follow the adventures and misadventures of a group of mortals and immortals in their quest for love. More than 20 child dancers from our school will fill the forest as fireflies, bugs, and fairies. Opening the evening will be a world premiere work from Denver choreographer Sarah Tallman. Fresh off her debut as a choreographer in Southern California’s National Choreographers Initiative, Ms. Tallman’s work is influenced by the theatrical and is guided by the humility that often permeates the human spirit.

Season tickets to three or four performances may be purchased by calling 405-848-TOES (8637). All performances take place at the Civic Center Music Hall, 201 North Walker, Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City Ballet Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 am-5:00 pm, and is located at 7421 North Classen, Oklahoma City.

For more information or to purchase season tickets online, please visit www.okcballet.com or call 405-843-9898.

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About Oklahoma City Ballet: Founded in 1972 by Ballet Russe dancers Yvonne Chouteau and Miguel Terekhov, Oklahoma City Ballet has been the city’s professional ballet company for 45 years. It is the resident dance Company of the Civic Center Music Hall and currently boasts 36 dancers from around the world. Led by Artistic Director Robert Mills, the Company produces four main stage productions per season in Oklahoma City and tours across Oklahoma and the surrounding states. It is the only ballet Company of its size to regularly debut world premiere story ballets with original commissioned scores and also commissions new works from the industry’s leading choreographers.