Charlotte Ballet announces 2016-17 Season

Charlotte Ballet performs Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's Sleeping BeautyCharlotte Ballet in North Carolina recently announced Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s 21st and final season of programming as president and artistic director of the company. Bonnefoux, who has led Charlotte Ballet since 1996, will retire at the end of the season.

 

“It has been an exciting 20 years building this company with the help of committed and talented dancers, board members and staff,” Bonnefoux said. “I’m looking forward to spending this season celebrating and remembering our accomplishments.”

 

The season follows Bonnefoux’s signature programming style of blending contemporary and classical, masterworks and premieres. Highlights include the return of Alonzo King’s MAP, the first ballet Bonnefoux commissioned for Charlotte Ballet nearly 20 years ago. Associate Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer Sasha Janes, who Bonnefoux has nurtured during his tenure, is creating an adaptation of Wuthering Heights to premiere in April and master contemporary choreographer Ohad Naharin’s Minus 16 is part of Fall Works this October.

 

Charlotte Ballet in Dwight Rhoden's The GrooveBonnefoux stages Sleeping Beauty in March with Associate Artistic Director Patricia McBride, Bonnefoux’s wife, who will continue her role as master teacher for Charlotte Ballet Academy and a répétiteur of George Balanchine works.

 

Charlotte Ballet’s most popular performance, Nutcracker, is reimagined with all new sets and costumes in December, thanks to a generous gift from the McColl family in honor of Jane Spratt McColl.

 

“It has always been a dream of mine to work with set and costume designers to bring my vision for Nutcracker to life,” Bonnefoux said. “The McColl family’s gift is taking Charlotte Ballet’s Nutcracker to a new level of excellence and entertainment.”

 

Charlotte Ballet in Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's Sleeping BeautyThe entire 2016-17 Season is dedicated to celebrating Bonnefoux’s contributions, including two special events. In March 2017, Charlotte Ballet’s annual gala fundraiser, Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte, pays tribute to Bonnefoux, and a new event, Night at the Nutcracker, gives attendees the first chance to see excerpts from Bonnefoux’s new Nutcracker production before it opens to the public.

 

Subscriptions for Charlotte Ballet’s 2016-17 Season are on sale now and cost $82-$411. They are available by visiting charlotteballet.org or by calling 704-372-1000. Tickets will go on sale August 8.

 

Photo (top): Charlotte Ballet performs Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux’s Sleeping Beauty. Photo by Peter Zay. Photo (left): Charlotte Ballet in Dwight Rhoden’s The Groove. Photo by Christopher Record. Photo (right): Bonnefoux’s Sleeping Beauty. Photo by Peter Zay.