American Ballet Theatre’s arrival at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts this week features choreography from three of the stronger contemporary dancemakers around.
“ABT Forward,” continuing through Saturday, begins the company’s three-year partnership with Segerstrom Center to present world and regional premieres each spring through 2024.
Receiving top billing this spring is a world premiere from Alonzo King called “Single Eye.” It’s the veteran choreographer’s first commission for ABT.
The premiere follows on the dynamic Costa Mesa 2021 debut of King’s Bay Area troupe, LINES Ballet. Though that was seen by only a few due to COVID-19 restrictions, those lucky 100-or-less patrons allowed in the hollowed-out main hall for each performance experienced a five-element program of what King describes as his “thought structures.”
This time, up to a full house can take in “Single Eye,” which is set to newly commissioned music from jazz pianist Jason Moran.
An anticipated crowd-pleaser on the triple bill program is Jessica Lang’s “ZigZag,” also a premiere of sorts, being seen for the first time on the West Coast.
The 30-minute piece is set to 10 Tony Bennett recordings, including a duet with Lady Gaga of Cole Porter’s “It’s De-Lovely.” Showcasing 14 dancers, the ballet is performed to other familiar period numbers, including “I Left My Heart in San Francisco,” “What the World Needs Now Is Love” and “Smile.”
The third element on the program, also not seen here previously, is “Bernstein in a Bubble.” It re-establishes Segerstrom’s ongoing link to ABT’s resident choreographic genius Alexei Ratmansky. Created during the 2021 hiatus, Ratmansky built the ballet working with seven ABT dancers via Zoom, resulting in the “Bubble” of the title.
“Bernstein in a Bubble” is set to composer Leonard Bernstein’s rarely heard, 15-minute long “Divertimento,” which musically has a range of moods, shifting from loud brass to quiet strings; members of the Pacific Symphony will perform this music live.
“ABT Forward”
When: Through Sat., March 19: 7:30 p.m., Thursday; 8 p.m., Friday; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
Tickets: From $39
Information: 949-556-2787; www.scfta.org
COVID-19 protocols: Attendees are required to show proof of full vaccination. Any ticket holders (including those under age 12) without proof of full vaccination can present a negative COVID-19 test (PCR taken within 48 hours or antigen taken within 6 hours) of the performance. At-home test results are not accepted. Ticketholders over the age of 18 must bring photo ID. Masks are required to be worn in all indoor spaces.