A Streetcar Named Desire Makes Canadian Premiere a Ballet by John Neumeier
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A Streetcar Named Desire Makes Canadian Premiere A Ballet by John Neumeier May 9, 2017… Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for the opening night of A Streetcar Named Desire, choreographed by John Neumeier. A Streetcar Named Desire makes its Canadian premiere June 3 – 10, 2017 at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. The opening night cast will feature Principal Dancers Sonia Rodriguez as Blanche DuBois, Guillaume Côté as Stanley, Jillian Vanstone as Stella and Evan McKie as Mitch. Based on Tennessee Williams’ literary masterpiece, Mr. Neumeier created the dance drama in 1983 for Stuttgart Ballet. The ballet begins where the play ends, journeying within Blanche DuBois’ psyche. “It’s dark. It’s violent. It’s erotic. But A Streetcar Named Desire becomes even more shocking when told as a ballet by John Neumeier,” (The Wall Street Journal). Set to music by Prokofiev and Alfred Schnittke, the ballet is a unique and compelling interpretation of one of the seminal works of 20th century drama. Additional casting to be announced. A Streetcar Named Desire contains mature content. More information on A Streetcar Named Desire > -30- The National Ballet of Canada dedicates the 2016/17 season to Sandra and Jim Pitblado in gratitude for their ongoing leadership, extraordinary generosity and enduring friendship. BMO Financial Group Presents A Streetcar Named Desire. A Streetcar Named Desire is made possible by the generous support of The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation and The Producers’ Circle. The Producers’ Circle: Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Inger Bartlett & Marshal Stearns, David W. Binet, Susanne Boyce & Brendan Mullen, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, The Thor E. and Nicole Eaton Family Charitable Foundation, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Kevin & Roger Garland, Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight, The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Rosamond Ivey, Hal Jackman Foundation, Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Judith & Robert Lawrie, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Joan & Jerry Lozinski, The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lynda & Jonas Prince, Susan Scace & Arthur Scace, C.M., Q.C., Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan, Sandra Simpson and Noreen Taylor, C.M. & David Staines, C.M., O.Ont. Guillaume Côté is sponsored through Dancers First by Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight. Evan McKie is sponsored through Dancers First by Simona Shnaider. Jillian Vanstone is sponsored through Dancers First by George & Kathy Dembroski. The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the City of Toronto through the Economic Development & Culture Department; the Government of Canada – Department of Canadian Heritage, through the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages; and the Government of Ontario through the Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. For more information, please contact: Catherine Chang Victoria Schwarzl Senior Communications Manager Publicity Manager 416 345 9686 x302 416 345 9686 x312 [email protected] [email protected] A Streetcar Named Desire Principal Casting Announced Canadian Premiere June 3 May 15, 2017… Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced the principal casting for the Canadian premiere of A Streetcar Named Desire, choreographed by John Neumeier. A Streetcar Named Desire will open the National Ballet’s Summer Season June 3 – 10, 2017 at Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. #AStreetcarNamedDesireNBC Dancing the role of Blanche DuBois will be Principal Dancers Jurgita Dronina, Svetlana Lunkina and Sonia Rodriguez. The role of Stella will be danced by Principal Dancer Jillian Vanstone, First Soloist Chelsy Meiss and Second Soloist Emma Hawes. Stanley will be performed by Principal Dancers Guillaume Côté, Harrison James and Piotr Stanczyk. Dancing the role of Mitch will be Principal Dancer Evan McKie and Second Soloists Jack Bertinshaw and Donald Thom. Based on Tennessee Williams’ literary masterpiece, Mr. Neumeier created the dance drama for Stuttgart Ballet in 1983. The ballet begins where the play ends, journeying within Blanche DuBois’ psyche. Set to music by Prokofiev and Alfred Schnittke, the ballet is a unique and compelling interpretation of one of the seminal works of 20th century drama. Principal Casting Blanche DuBois Sonia Rodriguez (June 3, 7, 8, 10 at 7:30 pm) Svetlana Lunkina (June 4, 10 at 2:00 pm) Jurgita Dronina (June 8 at 2:00 pm/June 9 at 7:30 pm) Stella Jillian Vanstone (June 3, 7, 8, 10 at 7:30 pm) Chelsy Meiss (June 4, 10 at 2:00 pm) Emma Hawes (June 8 at 2:00 pm/June 9 at 7:30 pm) Stanley Guillaume Côté (June 3, 7, 8, 10 at 7:30 pm) Piotr Stanczyk (June 4, 10 at 2:00 pm) Harrison James (June 8 at 2:00 pm/June 9 at 7:30 pm) Mitch Evan McKie (June 3, 7, 8,10 at 7:30 pm) Donald Thom (June 4,10 at 2:00 pm) Jack Bertinshaw (June 8 at 2:00 pm/June 9 at 7:30 pm) All casting is subject to change. A Streetcar Named Desire contains mature content. More information on A Streetcar Named Desire > -30- The National Ballet of Canada dedicates the 2016/17 season to Sandra and Jim Pitblado in gratitude for their ongoing leadership, extraordinary generosity and enduring friendship. BMO Financial Group Presents A Streetcar Named Desire. A Streetcar Named Desire is made possible by the generous support of The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation and The Producers’ Circle. The Producers’ Circle: Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Inger Bartlett & Marshal Stearns, David W. Binet, Susanne Boyce & Brendan Mullen, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, The Thor E. and Nicole Eaton Family Charitable Foundation, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Kevin & Roger Garland, Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight, The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Rosamond Ivey, Hal Jackman Foundation, Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Judith & Robert Lawrie, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Joan & Jerry Lozinski, The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lynda & Jonas Prince, Susan Scace & Arthur Scace, C.M., Q.C., Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan, Sandra Simpson and Noreen Taylor, C.M. & David Staines, C.M., O.Ont. Guillaume Côté is sponsored through Dancers First by Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight. Harrison James is sponsored through Dancers First by Lucy White*. Svetlana Lunkina is sponsored through Dancers First by Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C. Evan McKie is sponsored through Dancers First by Simona Shnaider. Jillian Vanstone is sponsored through Dancers First by George & Kathy Dembroski. Chelsy Meiss is sponsored through Dancers First by Diana St. B. Weatherall. Emma Hawes is sponsored through Dancers First by JJ Dayot & Rick Schiralli. The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the City of Toronto through the Economic Development & Culture Department; the Government of Canada – Department of Canadian Heritage, through the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages; and the Government of Ontario through the Honourable Eleanor McMahon, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. For more information, please contact: Catherine Chang Victoria Schwarzl Senior Communications Manager Publicity Manager 416 345 9686 x302 416 345 9686 x312 [email protected] [email protected] Company Premiere A Streetcar Named Desire A Ballet by John Neumeier Choreography, Costume, Set & Lighting Design: John Neumeier Staged by: John Neumeier, Tamas Detrich and Laura Cazzaniga Music: Act I: Sergei Prokofiev, Visions Fugitives Op. 22 Act II: Alfred Schnittke, Symphony No. 1 Premiere: Stuttgart Ballet, Stuttgart, Germany, December 3, 1983 The National Ballet of Canada Premiere: Toronto, June 3, 2017 BMO Financial Group Presents A Streetcar Named Desire. A Streetcar Named Desire is made possible by the generous support of The Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation and The Producers’ Circle. The Producers’ Circle: Gail & Mark Appel, John & Claudine Bailey, Inger Bartlett & Marshal Stearns, David W. Binet, Susanne Boyce & Brendan Mullen, Gail Drummond & Bob Dorrance, The Thor E. and Nicole Eaton Family Charitable Foundation, Sandra Faire & Ivan Fecan, Kevin & Roger Garland, Emmanuelle Gattuso and Allan Slaight, The William & Nona Heaslip Foundation, Rosamond Ivey, Hal Jackman Foundation, Anna McCowan-Johnson & Donald K. Johnson, O.C., Judy Korthals & Peter Irwin, Judith & Robert Lawrie, Mona & Harvey Levenstein, Joan & Jerry Lozinski, The Honourable Margaret Norrie McCain, C.C., Julie Medland, Sandra Pitblado & Jim Pitblado, C.M., Lynda & Jonas Prince, Susan Scace & Arthur Scace, C.M., Q.C., Gerald Sheff & Shanitha Kachan, Sandra Simpson and Noreen Taylor, C.M. & David Staines, C.M., O.Ont. Performance Dates: June 3 – 10, 2017 Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Tennessee Williams’ literary masterpiece A Streetcar Named Desire is adapted for dance by choreographer John Neumeier. Created for Stuttgart Ballet in 1983, Mr. Neumeier’s version is less concerned with simply retelling the narrative of the original than with using the famous story of Blanche DuBois as a way of exploring themes of memory,