Kyiv Ballet’s show goes on

THE Kyiv City Ballet is set to make its US debut under the most heartbreaking of circumstances.

The elite dancers left Ukraine for a longplanned performance in Paris the day before Russia invaded, unknowingly taking one of the last flights out of the country and leaving them faced with a terrible decision: Return to Ukraine and guarantee the end of the company, or stay to dance while their families were in a war zone.

Page Six is told that three dancers decided to leave the company and return home to join the fighters in the resistance. The rest stayed on in Paris, where they were given refuge by France.

They decided to mount a tour of the US, the country providing by far the most support to Ukraine’s battle against the invaders.

The producer of the tour, who in six weeks has put together dates in 12 cities across the country, said that the operation has received more support than he’s seen in his 18 years in the business.

“Ballet companies can be cutthroat, but there has been a real outpouring of support,” said Kristopher McDowell, whose Rhizome Arts Consulting is putting the project together.

McDowell said that local companies have offered to sponsor the Ukrainian outfit’s appearances, and locals have even offered to put crew members up in their homes.

Rhizome is putting up the money for an attorney to handle visa issues and is providing a public relations and marketing budget, and he says that the performances are only expected to pay for about 70% of the cost.

McDowell’s hoping to book additional dates to make up the shortfall, and the company is also accepting PayPal donations.

The troupe’s tour — which will feature a full-length “Swan Lake,” as well as a performance called Tribute to Peace and a Ukrainian folk piece — will stop at New York City Center Sept. 29 and 30.