Ballet Tucson is set to officially close the curtains on its 2024-25 season with “Modern Masters,” featuring company premieres of works by three leading choreographers including two-time Tony award winner Justin Peck.
Ballet Tucson is only the third company to perform Peck’s virtuosic Pulcinella Variations. New York City Ballet premiered the one-act ballet, set to Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite, in 2017.
“Modern Masters” will feature company premieres of Andrea Schermoly’s “Swivet” and Kiyon Ross’s tango-inspired “ə{Schwa},” with music by Astor Piazzolla.
“We just want every person that comes to one of our shows, first of all, to always be intrigued and inspired and see something different and something that builds their love and their curiosity about ballet, but also to just really wanting to make sure that people understand that ballet is really multifaceted,” said Margaret Mullen, Ballet Tucson’s artistic director.
While directing “Modern Masters,” Mullen was inspired by how much ballet has grown during the past 30 years and hoped to showcase the originality of four choreographers working in the field today.
“They are modern masters,” she said of the choreographers. “They are masters of the art of dance, and they are actively working and contributing to the art of dance.”
Cole McMason performs in Andrea Schermoly’s “Swivet”.
Peck’s choreography has been performed by prestigious companies including Paris Opera Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and the Australian Ballet. It also has also been featured in the Hulu series “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Andrea Schermoly is resident choreographer of Louisville Ballet. “Swivet” is an electrifying work that showcases the physicality of the art form and the strength of the dancers.
ə{Schwa}is a fast-paced work that resembles the intensity of the Tango. Kiyon Ross is a choreographer of Pacific Northwest Ballet and has worked with the dancers of Ballet Tucson in four previous programs.
“Modern Masters” also includes Cheiko Imado’s beloved ”Hibiki” (Japanese for “echo”), which features “striking modern choreography and driving Taiko drum music,” according to Ballet Tucson program notes.
Ballet Tucson performs “Modern Masters” at 7 p.m. Friday, March 14; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, March 15; and 2 p.m. Sunday, March 16 at Leo Rich Theater. 260 S. Church Ave. Tickets range from $22-$60 and can be purchased through ballettucson.org or by calling 800-653-8000.
Arizona Sonoran News is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Music.
