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THE PASSION AND THE POWER OF BALLET

Fort Worth Dallas Ballet Kicks off Dallas Season

Dallas Supporters of Fort Worth Dallas Ballet are passionate about ballet in Dallas with a season theme of "The Passion and The Power of Ballet." The first full season of the 21st century is planned to "excite the mind" with its broadly appealing series of ballets from the classical music lover to 1960's rock and roll.

To kick off the Dallas season, Fort Worth Dallas Ballet opens November 3 with an evening to  "Feel the Power of Emotion: Back to the Majestic." Artistic Director Benjamin Houk has programmed three pieces that explore and express the closeness and extremes of contrasts and conflicts for the company's first mixed repertory program featuring Billy the Kid.

First of the three performance pieces, Allegro Brillante is characterized as expansive Russian romanticism. The music's vigorous pace makes the steps appear even more difficult, and the ballet relies on strong dancing, precise timing, and breadth of gesture. Created in 1956 for New York City Ballet, it is set to the last music Tchaikovsky composed. Originally written as a symphony, the first movement was later converted into a concert piece for piano and orchestra. Choreographed by the famed dance choreographer George Balanchine, once said about the piece, "It contains everything I know about classical ballet in 13 minutes."

Then, to celebrate the centennial of Aaron Copland's birth, the company will dance Billy the Kid. Created over 50 years ago (1938) by Eugene Loring and first presented by Lincoln Kirstein's Ballet Caravan, the ballet was among the first focusing on an American icon and purposefully departing from the European balletic tradition.  Although, Billy The Kid was regarded as the most dangerous desperado of his time, he was loved and admired as much as he was feared -- to make of his life the heroic myth it has since become. Finally, Houk creates a celebration of the revolutionary, liberating decade of the 1960's with his original ballet, "Shout!" Set to the earth-moving tunes of the time, this world-premiere of "Shout" promises a chance to commemorate the decade of a generation that questioned its past, celebrated its present, and defined its future. Not to be missed, the visual interpretations and music create a kaleidoscope of emotion -- ranging from the somberness of anti-war sentiments to the euphoria of peace, love and happiness.

Performances are scheduled November 3, 4, & 5 at The Majestic Theatre in Downtown Dallas. Then, the program moves to Fort Worth for performances at Bass Concert Hall on November 10, 11 and 12.

For additional information on the performances or to order season tickets, please call the Dallas Supporters of Fort Worth Dallas Ballet subscriber line 214-739-4300 or visit their Web site at http://www.fwdballet.com Tickets for individual performances are also available through TicketMaster's Arts line 214-631-ARTS.

Edited by Kerry Cohen

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