Smuin Ballet Series One at Sunset Center

Smuin Ballet's Dance Series One
Presented by Smuin Ballet
Dance Series One
Broken Open by Amy Seiwert – World Premiere
Maslow by Ben Needham-Wood – World Premiere
French Twist by Ma Cong
Bouquet by Michael Smuin

Run time: 2 hours

Smuin Ballet's original program features two world premieres, including Broken Open by Smuin Ballet's Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert, which the San Francisco Chronicle calls "fresh, challenging and relevant" and "endlessly inventive, fascinating." Employing all 16 dancers in the Company, Broken Open is set to the music of Julia Kent, whose music "flirts with lush textures, minimalist tropes and a constant trajectory, all of which seem to penetrate the dancers' limbs" (SF Chronicle). Also premiering is Maslow by Smuin dancer Ben Needham-Wood, which explores how individuals fulfill their greatest potential, or "self-actualization." Combining contemporary ballet and hip hop stylings, Maslow is set to an original score by composer and cellist Ben Sollee.

The series includes the return of Ma Cong's fast and flirtatious French Twist, which received high praise for its premiere with Smuin Ballet in spring of 2010. Inspired by the American cartoon "Tom and Jerry," French Twist uses contemporary movement set to five musical selections by the late French composer Hugues Le Bars. Michael Smuin's stunning Bouquet also returns. Timeless in its beauty, the lyrical Bouquet is set to a pair of glorious Shostakovich piano concerti.

Tickets: Level I $73/ Level II $57