American Ballet Theatre

American Ballet TheatreTwo distinct programs from America’s National Ballet Company performed with live accompaniment from the Chicago Philharmonic OrchestraAmerican Ballet Theatre makes its triumphant return to Chicago taking the stage exclusively at the Harris Theater. Journey through stories of love, time, and melancholy with one of the most lauded companies in the world performing acclaimed works from its vast repertoire.PROGRAM AThursday, February 22 and Saturday, February 24, 2018; 7:30 PM• Serenade after Plato’s Symposium – Ratmansky• The Leaves are Fading, pas de deux – Tudor• Pas de deux – to be announced• Thirteen Diversions – WheeldonPROGRAM BFriday, February 23, 2018; 7:30 PM and Sunday, February 25, 2018; 2:00 PM• Her Notes – Lang• Other Dances – Robbins • New Millepied• New Ratmansky• Additional works to be announcedAmerican Ballet Theatre, led by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie, is recognized as one of the great dance companies in the world. Few ballet companies equal ABT for its combination of size, scope, and outreach. Recognized as a living national treasure since its founding in 1940, ABT performs for more than 300,000 people each year. The Company has also made more than 30 international tours to 50 countries as perhaps the most representative American ballet company and has been sponsored by the State Department of the United States on many of these engagements.About the Repertoire:Christopher Wheeldon’s Thirteen Diversions, “full of handsome geometries and refreshing contrasts, its energies beautifully focused” (The New York Times), premiered at the Metropolitan Opera House in 2011. The piece is performed to and draws its name from Benjamin Britten’s Diversions for Piano (Left Hand) and Orchestra, playing on the music’s themes as it highlights the incredible grace and physicality of the American Ballet Theater dancers. [Gala, Program A]Following its World Premiere performance in May 2016, The New York Times claimed, "Alexei Ratmansky's [Serenade after Plato’s] Symposium is the most authoritatively original creation this bewilderingly versatile choreographer has given us and richly extends the nature of dance theater.” Set to Leonard Bernstein's 1954 concerto of the same name, this ballet evokes the spirit of the debate and discourse of ancient Greece depicted in Plato’s celebrated text. [Program A]One of choreographer Antony Tudor’s final ballets, The Leaves are Fading was premiered by American Ballet Theatre in 1975. The piece’s simple forest-like scenery and music from Dvořák’s little-known Cypresses for string quartet set the stage for the wistful pas de deux, a contemplation of love, memory, and the passage of time. [Program A]American Ballet Theatre’s engagement at the Harris Theater was made possible by the generous support of The Harris Family Foundation, Caryn and King Harris Dance Residency Fund through the Imagine Campaign, Engagement Presenting Sponsor.