PROVIDENCE – In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Providence-based nonprofit Festival Ballet Providence has put together a schedule of more than 40 shows and eight programs.
The season, which starts on Sept. 30 and runs until April 29, 2018, includes performances of “Rubies” from George Balanchine’s full-length “Jewels,” Christopher Wheeldon’s “The American” and a new adaptation of Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale,” with choreography by Viktor Plotnikov.
The Stravinsky adaptation, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary, is most exciting for FBP artistic director Mihailo Djuric.
“I’m especially looking forward to our new adaptation of Stravinsky’s ‘The Soldier’s Tale,’ which will include live music, something that is always important for us as artists,” he said in a statement.
The theatrical work will be played live by members of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra, with narration by actor Nigel Gore, under the direction of Alexey Shabalin.
The FBP Black Box Theatre will also be busy during this anniversary year. It will host two new installments of its program “Up Close on Hope” and chatterBOXtheatre programs “Pippi” and “The Little Prince” will return to the schedule.
Reproductions of “The Widow’s Broom,” based on the beloved Chris Van Allsburg story, with choreography by Viktor Plotnikov, will be part of the schedule as well as an original score by Aleksandra Vrebalov.
In addition, with the help of the University of New Hampshire, the FBP will go on tour for the first time since 2011. More information about the traveling series can be found on the UNH website.
Emily Gowdey-Backus is a staff writer for PBN. You can follow her on Twitter @FlashGowdey or contact her via email, gowdey-backus@pbn.com.
