(ATLANTIC CITY, NJ) -- The Atlantic City Ballet heads to the West Coast with their production of Sleeping Beauty to begin their spring season. The company’s first west coast tour will include performances in Prescott, Arizona, Palos Verde and Napa Valley, California. Company Founder and Artistic Director, Phyllis Papa emphasized, “This is a wonderful opportunity for the company. We are so proud to be able to represent Atlantic City as its cultural ambassadors.”
Once back on the east coast they’ll begin their local performances at The Strand Theater in Lakewood, with a performance of An Evening of Dance, which will feature three ballets including one set to Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copeland. The entire performance (on Saturday, March 24 at 7:00pm) will be dedicated to former New Jersey Governor Brendan Byrne who passed away last month.
Then it’s back to Atlantic City for an April 14th performance of Midsummer Night’s Dream and the world premiere of Romeo and Juliet on May 6 at The Circus Maximus Theater in Caesars Hotel and Casino (both performances take place at 7:00pm).
Tickets may be purchased at www.acballet.org
“I try to create a new full length ballet every season and Romeo and Juliet is a ballet I’ve always wanted to choreograph. We always want to give our audiences something new and also something to look forward to.” according to Ms. Papa.
Founded in 1982, the Atlantic City Ballet is comprised of professional dancers from around the world and have earned national acclaim for their technical expertise and exuberant stage presence. Although their home base is in Historic Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, the Ballet has performed in theaters all along the east coast. Their repertoire of original works includes such classics as A Midsummer Night's Dream, Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake but Ms. Papa is most known for her innovative works such as Dracula, Caught Up In The Swing and her full length Carmen. Since its inception, the Atlantic City Ballet has served as one of the cultural treasures of New Jersey and continues a tradition of dance excellence for future generations of ballet audiences.
PHOTO of the company on the road from Arizona to CA. Photo credit: Kristaps
