Smuin Ballet Announces 15th Anniversary Season for 2008 / 2009

15 years after renowned dancer, choreographer and director Michael Smuin started Smuin Ballet (www.smuinballet.org), a company reflective of his bold, unique style – and a year after his untimely passing – Smuin Ballet Artistic Director, Celia Fushille today announced plans for the company's 2008 / 2009 season. The company is firmly in place as “one of the nation's top contemporary ballet companies” (Sacramento Bee, 10/4/07). Opening the fall 2008 season will be the Smuin Ballet Premiere of Carmen choreographed by Emmy award-winning choreographer, Robert Sund, the return of Smuin’s crowd-pleasing Dances With Songs and a World Premiere of new work by long-time Smuin dancer Amy Seiwert. Seiwert will be leaving her position as a dancer with the company at the end of the current season in order to assume her new role as Choreographer in Residence. The holiday season will be marked by the annual Christmas Ballet; Spring 2009 will feature a suite from Smuin's St Louis Woman: A Blues Ballet, the West Coast Premiere of The Naughty Boy! choreographed by Trey McIntyre and the early Michael Smuin work Bouquet.

“Our special 15th Anniversary Season reflects Michael’s innovative style which has become a signature of the Company and introduces the work of several talented choreographers, some new to Smuin Ballet,” said Celia Fushille. “From the fiery passion of Carmen to the sentimental favorites of The Christmas Ballet to the cool sensuality of St Louis Woman ,you’ll experience the full range of emotions and the variety of dance forms which are the hallmark of Smuin Ballet. After assisting Michael on St. Louis Woman, which he choreographed on Dance Theatre of Harlem, it brings me great joy to present a suite from this entertaining ballet - Michael's last narrative work. Next season I plan to present a varied repertoire that continues to challenge and excite our gifted and versatile artists as well as our audience."

In 1993 when Michael Smuin was asked ‘what do you want’ by his closest friends and patrons, he answered, “I want my own company.” His dream became reality 14 years ago with the birth of Smuin Ballet. The company was born on the belief that original works of dance of the highest quality could be accessible to a wide audience. Taking this belief to heart, Michael began choreographing for a Company of dancers that he personally selected for their exceptional talent and personality. Michael created more than forty beautiful, joyful, theatrical, and sexy ballets that are the lifeblood of the Company.

“Celia has assembled a great season for our 15th Anniversary,” said Dwight Hutton, Smuin Managing Director. “Beginning with the ballet that started it all Dances with Songs to a Smuin Ballet premiere of Michael’s St. Louis Woman’she has continued to demonstrate our beloved Michael’s brilliance. These works combined with a World Premiere by Amy Seiwert and a West Coast Premiere by one of the hottest choreographers today – Trey McIntyre – will only enhance the vibrancy of this unique company. It’s an honor to partner with Celia and our dedicated Board of Trustees as we continue to grow and bring joy to our faithful audience as well as new ones.”

The current Smuin Spring 2008 season continues with the glory of Gershwin as Michael’s classic Dancin’ With Gershwin makes a welcome return. Broadway meets Ballet in this award-winning production richly costumed by Willa Kim under a glittering skyline designed by Rick Goodwin and brought to life in lights by Sara Linnie Slocum. Michael’s “eclecticism is again apparent in Gershwin, stylistically inspired by classical ballet, Broadway and Hollywood musicals, tap, ballroom dance and vaudeville…no doubts arise about the versatility of Mr. Smuin or his dancers.” ( The New York Times).

“Michael Smuin gave me so much, as a mentor, a choreographer, and a great boss - to be able to continue choreographing and having a relationship with the company he began is an honor,” said Seiwert, commenting on her new role with the company. “In the nine years I've danced with Smuin Ballet one thing has never changed: the dancers have always been a diverse group of different talents, body types, energies, and strengths. By establishing such a company Michael made a place that is a choreographer's dream, a unique place to risk, grow and develop one's vision.”

Smuin made the San Francisco Bay Area his home since he was a Principal Dancer with San Francisco Ballet, before going on to dance on Broadway, and appearing in film and television. He was Principal Dancer and Resident Choreographer for American Ballet Theatre before returning to San Francisco as Co-Director of San Francisco Ballet (1973-1985), and was instrumental in raising that company's profile in the international arts community, including many “Dance in America” programs on PBS. He directed ABT's 50th Anniversary Gala. Broadway credits include Sophisticated Ladies, Anything Goes (Tony Award for Choreography), Shogun and Canciones de Mi Padre. Feature film credits include Rumblefish, Cotton Club, Dracula, and The Fantasticks. Television credits include Ira Gershwin at 100: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall. His productions on PBS of Romeo and Juliet, The Tempest, and A Song for Dead Warriors won several Emmy Awards. His ballets are currently in the repertories of major dance companies around the country. Smuin died on April 23 of this year, suffering a heart-attack in his San Francisco studio as he was beginning a rehearsal with his company of dancers. His long-time protégé, Celia Fushille, was named Smuin Ballet Artistic Director by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors in October 2007.

“14 years after Michael’s vision took shape and a year after his death,” said Fushille, “we continue with a season reflective of his legacy and his commitment to encouraging new talent.”

For more information on Smuin Ballet call (415) 495-2234, extension , email info@smuinballet.org or go online to www.smuinballet.org

Following Are Details of the 15th Anniversary 2008 / 2009 Season for Smuin Ballet.

2008 Fall / Winter Program
Carmen: Smuin Ballet Premiere: Robert Sund choreographer
World Premiere: New work by Amy Seiwert, Smuin Ballet Choreographer in Residence.
Dances with Songs: Michael Smuin, choreographer
Smuin Ballet’s 15th Anniversary Season kicks of with the company's opening program in 1994 -- Dances with Songs. This signature Smuin work, a marvelous and colorful medley set to songs by popular singers, is as fresh and appealing today as it was when it debuted. Robert Sund, former San Francisco Ballet principal, has created his Carmen to the music of Miles Davis’ “Sketches of Spain”-- a jazzy interpretation of the classical story of romantic competition. Amy Seiwert, Smuin Ballet Choreographer in Residence, will debut her seventh new work for the Company. Called a “rising star” by Michael Smuin, Seiwert has been recognized by the dance world as a chorographer to watch”. Her 2007 – 2008 work Objects of Curiosity was a hit with critics and audiences alike.

The Christmas Ballet 2008 Edition
The Christmas Ballet, an eagerly anticipated part of the Bay Area dance season, returns with its usual fun and frolic set to both classic and contemporary musical selections that reflect the magic of the season. Both sacred and sentimental, the Classical and Cool Acts offer something for everyone, including the quintessential “Santa Baby.” From Bach’s “Magnificat” to Handel’s “Messiah”, klezmer to carols, the Classical Act resonates with beauty and elegant, while the Cool Act features hula girls, tapping trees and the world’s longest feather boa. The Christmas Ballet is a magical treat for audiences of all ages. The 2008 edition will feature new works by guest choreographers as well as returning favorites.

Spring 2009 Program:
Suite from St Louis Woman: A Blues Ballet
Smuin Ballet Premiere. Michael Smuin choreographer
The Naughty Boy! West Coast Premiere, Trey McIntyre, choreographer
Bouquet: Michael Smuin choreographer
St Louis Woman: A Blues Ballet, was premiered at Lincoln Center in 2003 by Dance Theater of Harlem, who commissioned the work. Hailed by the New York Times as “gorgeous entertainment”, St. Louis Woman is a work that exemplifies Michael’s genius at “mixing ballet’s classical idiom with period social dances.” Trey McIntyre, renowned choreographer and founder of his own company, Trey McIntyre Project, set The Naughty Boy! to Mozart’s “Violin Concerto in G Major.” The ballet is a neo-classical loose narrative of Cupid’s effects on four couples. Michael Smuin created Bouquet to the music of Shostakovich. A set of two pieces, the Pas de Deux is a sensual expression of love, and the romantic Pas de Quatre, depicts a woman and her three adoring suitors.