Western Attitude

It's a fact that merits yelling from the mountaintops: Ballet Arizona's creative director, Ib Andersen, studied under George Balanchine, the father of American ballet, at the New York City Ballet and is one of the few dancers allowed to stage Balanchine's works. And that's quite the coup for both Valley...

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It’s a fact that merits yelling from the mountaintops: Ballet Arizona’s creative director, Ib Andersen, studied under George Balanchine, the father of American ballet, at the New York City Ballet and is one of the few dancers allowed to stage Balanchine’s works. And that’s quite the coup for both Valley dance aficionados and aspiring ballet snobs.

Andersen pays tribute to his late teacher with All Balanchine, a production collecting three of the master choreographer’s works and celebrating the American West. Western Symphony features classic cowboy costuming, and Walpurgisnacht oozes femininity, while the avant-garde Episodes pushes ballet beyond its typical confines.

Immerse yourself in Balanchine via Arizona Ballet at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 2. Performances continue through Sunday, May 4, at Symphony Hall, 75 North Second Street. Tickets are $15 and up and available by calling 602-381-1096 or through www.balletaz.org.

Thu., May 1, 7 p.m.; Fri., May 2, 7:30 p.m.; Sat., May 3, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Sun., May 4, 1 p.m., 2014