Stage Director

Ballet dancer

Choreographer

Insights: Like Water For Chocolate — Beginnings and Origins

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Mad Hatter's Tea Party - From The Royal Ballet | Marquee TV

Although George Balanchine’s decades-long collaboration with Igor Stravinsky contributed several classics to the repertory, New York City Ballet choreographers of newer generations have continued to find inspiration in the Russian composer’s work. Christopher Wheeldon’s Scènes de Ballet, just his second dance for the Company, features 64 students of the School of American Ballet in an enchanting depiction of young dancers learning their craft, with a charming set by the devoted ballet-lover and artist Ian Falconer, author of the beloved Olivia children’s books. Justin Peck’s Pulcinella Variations combines classical steps with vibrant costumes derived from the commedia dell’arte tradition. And Balanchine’s classic leotard ballet Symphony in Three Movements reveals, with its inspired matching of music and choreography, how deeply Balanchine’s dance ideals and Stravinsky’s music were attuned.

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All Stravinsky

Lincoln Center

New York City Ballet continually invests in works by new generations of choreographers. Pam Tanowitz’s Law of Mosaics, set to Ted Hearne’s score, combines moments of resonant silence with propulsive string-based music, and is further illuminated by the colorful costumes of Reid Bartelme and Harriet Jung. Despite its simplicity, This Bitter Earth, a pas de deux danced to a remix of Dinah Washington’s recording of the title song, ranks among Christopher Wheeldon’s most delicate and moving works. For many followers of the Company, William Forsythe’s Herman Schmerman Pas de Deux remains a totemic example of the adventurousness that Balanchine always championed and exemplified. The Company’s ongoing interest in a wide variety of music and the dancing it inspires is illustrated in Kyle Abraham’s Love Letter (on shuffle), which draws on the pop music of singer-songwriter James Blake and combines classical steps with a distinctly 21st-century aesthetic.

Contemporary Choreography II

This specially curated performance is designed to provide a friendly, inclusive environment where individuals with sensory processing challenges, including autism, can experience New York City Ballet. Slight modifications will include a relaxed entry/exit policy, adjustments to lighting and sound levels, designated break areas throughout the Theater, additional event staffing to assist with audience needs, and pre-visit resources, including a visual schedule. This one-time-only performance features two ballets from NYCB’s expansive repertory. Christopher Wheeldon’s Scènes de Ballet, featuring 64 students from the School of American ballet, offers a glimpse into the rehearsal studio as young dancers refine their artistry. Jerome Robbins’ Glass Pieces, set to music by contemporary composer Philip Glass, highlights the graceful athleticism of the corps de ballet, as the ensemble weaves across the stage with dynamic fervor.

Sensory Friendly Performances

The music. The moves. The icon. Now, the unparalleled artistry of the greatest entertainer of all time comes to Buffalo as MJ, the multi Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, begins a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status. MJ is startin’ somethin’ as it makes its Buffalo premiere at the Shea’s Performing Arts Center in 2024.

MJ The Musical

Shea's Performing Arts Center

Two-time Tony Award® winner Christopher Wheeldon’s full-length ballet Like Water for Chocolate brings the magical realism of the famous modern Mexican novel and award-winning film of the same name to ABT. Journey into Laura Esquivel’s acclaimed and captivating family saga where the central character Tita, bound by family duty and tradition, falls in forbidden love with her neighbor Pedro. When her emotions spill over into her cooking, her only form of expression, everyone around her is influenced in startling and dramatic ways.

Like Water for Chocolate

Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

The music. The moves. The icon. Now, the unparalleled artistry of the greatest entertainer of all time comes to Playhouse Square as MJ, the multi Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, begins a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status. MJ is startin’ somethin’ as it makes its Cleveland premiere at the KeyBank State Theatre in 2024. 

Playhouse Square

Experience the magic of Michael Jackson like never before at the MJ Wharton Center for Performing Arts! From February 11th to 16th, 2025, the Cobb Great Hall will be alive with the spirit of one of the greatest entertainers of all time through the multiple Tony Award-winning musical, MJ. This extraordinary show, centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, showcases Michael Jackson's unique artistry, his signature moves, and his unparalleled sound.

Crafted by the creative minds of Tony Award-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ offers audiences a rare glimpse into the creative genius that propelled Michael Jackson to legendary status. Having thrilled sold-out crowds on Broadway, across North America, and in London’s West End, MJ is now set to captivate Michigan with its electrifying performances.

Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting at $49 for subscribers. Performances are scheduled from February 11th through February 16th, 2025, with evening shows at 7:30 PM from Tuesday to Friday, a matinee and evening performance on Saturday at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM respectively, and closing with two shows on Sunday at 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM. Each performance promises to be a thrilling experience, running approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an intermission.

MJ is recommended for ages 8 and up, due to theatrical haze, fog, and a significant amount of strobing effects. Accessibility services such as Sign Language Interpretation, Audio Description, and Open Captioning are available upon request, ensuring everyone can enjoy this spectacular production.

Don't miss your chance to witness the musical phenomenon that is MJ at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Secure your tickets today and prepare to be mesmerized by the extraordinary legacy of Michael Jackson.

Christopher Wheeldon

Stage Director, Ballet dancer, Choreographer

Events

10 - 25 May, 2024

All Stravinsky · New York City Ballet

15 - 24 May, 2024

Contemporary Choreography II · New York City Ballet

May 19, 2024

Sensory Friendly Performances · New York City Ballet

11 - 16 Jun, 2024

MJ The Musical · Shea's Performing Arts Center

16 - 20 Jul, 2024

Like Water for Chocolate · American Ballet Theatre

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