‘Great Gatsby’ dances into Orlando Ballet 2021-22 season
“Moulin Rouge” and “Peter Pan.”
Orlando Ballet will today announce its 2021-22 season, which also features an adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book,” perennial favorite “The Nutcracker” and a mixed-repertoire program with two Central Florida premieres and a world premiere.
Other choreographers represented will include Toni Pimble, Val Caniparoli and Jessica Lang.
The company plans to split performances between the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts and its own Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre in Loch Haven Park, where “The Robert Hill Collection” was recently staged.
Harriett’s Centre also will be home to a new round of Orlando Ballet’s “Uncorked” behind-thescenes series with a relaxed, club atmosphere.
Drinks are available, and attendees may ask questions of artistic director Robert Hill before watching him and the dancers create a piece on the spot. The annual Ballet Ball fundraiser will be presented April 9, 2022.
The season’s theme is exploring relationships, said Hill in the announcement. He dubbed the upcoming productions a season of “romance and adventure.”
Tickets go on sale to the general public April 15 at orlandoballet.org or by calling 407-418-9828.
Here’s a chronological look at the mainstage season lineup:
— Oct. 7-10 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. In this colorful storybook ballet, young Mowgli befriends Baloo the bear and encounters the largerthan-life tiger Shere Khan and Kaa the snake.
— Dec. 3-5 and 16-19 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. In this holiday tradition, a toy nutcracker comes to life and transports a young girl to the fantastic world of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Mouse King and more. The celebration starts early with the Nutcracker Boutique, at Harriett’s Centre on Nov. 14. The event includes food, giveaways, children’s activities and exclusive shopping.
— Feb. 3-6 and 10-13, 2022, at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre. This will be Hill’s third Orlando staging and third venue for this classic ballet of a young woman whose love endures beyond the grave as she protects her beloved from evil spirits.
— March 17-20 and 24-27, 2022, at Harriett’s Orlando Ballet Centre. Lang’s contemporary “Lyric Pieces” is joined by “Lambarena,” Caniparoli’s fusion of classical ballet and African dance. Hill offers the world premiere of a piece he titled “Visions,” with music by James M. Stephenson.
— April 28-May 1, 2022 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Journey back to the Roaring Twenties, as mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby’s decadent world unravels around him. Morris’s adaptation features an original score by Carl Davis.