(NEWARK, NJ) -- The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine is recognized as one of the most prestigious classical ballet institutions in Ukraine.  The company is performing throughout in America and Canada for the 2022-2023 season, including two performances at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) this winter. Here's your chance to get acquainted with 55 ballet dancers who represent the highest level of classical ballet art in the world!  

Sunday, December 18, 2022 @ 3:00pm - The Nutcracker: State Ballet Theater of Ukraine. In what has become an annual NJPAC tradition, the State Ballet Theater of Ukraine returns with the beloved holiday favorite The Nutcracker. Set to Tchaikovsky's classic score and featuring brand new choreography and productions by Andrey Litvinov, the State Ballet Theater of Ukraine premiered this revised version of The Nutcracker in Dnipro, Ukraine, in 2020. Choreography and design lasted for many months with the pandemic constantly disrupting the process. Fortunately, this new interpretation of a timeless classic still managed to be completed. The company is recognized as one of the most prestigious institutions of classical ballet in Ukraine. With no fewer than 55 of Ukraine's finest performers, this esteemed ensemble has performed to the delight of audiences worldwide. Tickets range from $39-$89 and are available for purchase online.

Sunday, January 15, 2023 @ 6:00pm -  Sleeping Beauty: State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine. Sleeping Beauty is one of the worlds most beloved ballets and one of Tchaikovsky’s most captivating masterpieces. The tale of a princess cursed to sleep for 100 years comes to life with The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine, whose dancers perform dazzling choreography adapted from the legendary Marius Petipa. Tchaikovsky himself declared Sleeping Beauty his best work, and audiences of all ages will enjoy the colorful costumes, festive music and charming fairytale love story. Tickets range from $39-$89 and are available for purchase online.

The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine is situated within the building of the prestigious Opera Theater, where the greatest divas of Ukrainian ballet performed on stage, from Anna Pavlova to Galina Ulanova and Maya Plisetskaya. Since 2009 the ballet manager has been Yuri Vasyuchenko, an Honorary Artist of Ukraine and exclusive soloist for National Oper on Ukraine in its glorious era under the tutelage of Yuri Grigorovich. The Ukrainian Company is recognized as one of the most prestigious institutions of classical ballet in Ukraine and can boast an extremely varied repertoire, carrying the honor and the task to preserve the precious heritage of the Great Ukrainian ballets. 

A part of the company’s repertoire has always been the great masterpieces of classic ballet, from “Sylphide” by Bournonville, to “Giselle” by Adam, “Don Quixote” and “La bayadère” by Minkus, "Sleeping Beauty”, "The Nutcracker” and "Swan Lake” by Tchaikovsky, to the various twentieth century ballets by Prokofiev, Stravinsky, Falla and Shchedrin. The ballet company consists of the best performers, graduates of prestigious Ukrainian and world choreography schools. Many talented artists have danced with the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine company in its different periods and many of them have been soloists in major international companies. Over the years, due to the many tours all over the globe, the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine ballet has earned its first-class international reputation.

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), located at One Center Street in downtown Newark, New Jersey, is America’s most diverse performing arts center, and the artistic, cultural, educational and civic center of New Jersey – where great performances and events enhance and transform lives every day. NJPAC brings diverse communities together, providing access to all and showcasing the state’s and the world’s best artists while acting as a leading catalyst in the revitalization of its home city. Through its extensive Arts Education programs, NJPAC is shaping the next generation of artists and arts enthusiasts. NJPAC has attracted 10 million visitors (including more than 1.8 million children) since opening its doors in 1997, and nurtures meaningful and lasting relationships with each of its constituents.

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