THE NUTCRACKER

The beloved holiday tradition returns!

Featuring Stars of New York City Ballet*

Saturday, December 17, 2:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 18, 1:00 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.

Lensic Performing Arts Center

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is thrilled to announce the return of its beloved holiday classic, The Nutcracker. On hiatus for the past two years, this lavish production — both uplifting and filled with humor — has been heralding the holiday season for more than three decades! With a cast of over 70 performers, this fully-professional production showcases dancers from around the country alongside students from Aspen Santa Fe Ballet School. Cultural dances from around the world are celebrated, and new this year, Ukrainian and Mexican divertissements have been added alongside traditional Chinese and flamenco dances. Guest stars from New York City Ballet will be featured. This iconic rendition, brimming with charm, provides a perfect opportunity for family and friends to gather. An unforgettable experience that is sure to create lifelong memories.

*Casting subject to change

Compagnie Hervé Koubi

January 24, 7:30pm - The Lensic Performing Arts Center

Made possible through the generosity of Lopez Love: Nance & Ramón José

French-born Hervé Koubi only learned of his Algerian roots in adulthood—a stunning realization that set him on a path to become one of Europe’s most distinctive choreographers, known for the highly-physical, gravity-defying work he creates for his 13-member troupe of magnificent male dancers from North Africa and the Mediterranean basin. Koubi’s spellbinding style combines capoeira, martial arts, gymnastics, and urban and contemporary dance genres creating powerful imagery evocative of Orientalist paintings and the stone filigree of Islamic architecture. Though thrillingly kinetic, the transcendence of a journey home is what lingers.

"Caught between Algeria and France…in dance, the thirteen men look like figures in an etching by William Blake, like falling angels or Icarus after flapping his wings too close to the sun." The New Yorker

Paul Taylor Dance Company

In partnership with Lensic Performing Arts Center

April 5, 7:30pm - The Lensic Performing Arts Center

When choreographer Paul Taylor presented his first work in 1954, he transformed the landscape of American modern dance and began a period of profound creative output that continued until his death in 2018. Now under new leadership, the iconic dance company continues this artistic lineage with a newly-focused vision. The program will include masterworks from the Taylor repertoire as well as a new work by newly-appointed resident choreographer, Lauren Lovette.

"The American spirit soars whenever Taylor’s dancers dance." San Francisco Chronicle