It's an especially exciting season for dance lovers in metro Phoenix as local, national, and international companies present diverse offerings that incorporate everything from architecture to spoken word performance. With all these choices, even folks who rarely hit the dance scene will find a little something that strikes their fancy.
See also: Wendy Whelan Brings Restless Creature to Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Napoli February 12-15 Symphony Hall
Ballet Arizona performs the U.S. première of Napoli featuring choreography by August Bournoville and staging by artistic director Ib Andersen. Music is by Edvard Helsted, H.S. Paulli, Niels W. Gade, and H.C. Lumbye.
Tickets start at $25 and are available by calling 602-381-1096 or through www.balletaz.org. Showtimes vary. Visit www.balletaz.org for information.
An Unusual Love Story... David + Lisa February 12-14 Hormel Theatre at Phoenix Theatre
This contemporary dance work is inspired by film and play versions sharing the tumultuous love story of two people who met at a treatment center. The piece, performed by Scorpius Dance Theatre, features dramatic black-and-white staging, and original music by Ryan Breen and Kristofer Hill. Gavin Sisson performs the role of David, Lisa Hammond the role of Lisa, and Nicole Olson the role of David's mother.
Tickets are $30 and available by calling 602-254-2151 or through tickets.phoenixtheatre.com. Show times vary. Visit www.scorpiusdance.com for more information.
Dirty Dancing February 17-22 ASU Gammage
This Broadway musical is inspired by the film of the same name, which imagines a summer romance between Baby and Johnny, two fiercely independent people from two very different worlds.
Tickets are $28.30 to $143.80 and available by calling 480-965-3434 or through www.asugammage.com. Show times vary. Visit www.asugammage.com for more information.
Nederlands Dance Theater 2 February 28 Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Young performers who dance with Nederlands Dance Theater, located in The Hague, perform a four-piece program of contemporary dance works.
Tickets are $39 to $69 and available by calling 480-499-8587 or through www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org. The one-night-only show starts at 8 p.m. Visit www.ndt.nl for more information.
Shakespeare at the Herberger March 5-8 Herberger Theater Center
Center Dance Ensemble performs works inspired by William Shakespeare's Hamlet and the daughters of King Lear, as well as Shakespeare sonnets.
Tickets are $28 for adults, $23 for seniors, and $14 for students and available by calling 602-252-8497 or through www.herbergertheater.org. Show times vary. Visit www.centerdance.com for more information.
Simply EPIK March 6-7 Mesa Arts Center
EPIK presents a fusion of street and classical dance with spoken word, video, and live music performed by the string trio Simply Three.
Tickets are $30 and available by calling 480-644-6500 or through www.mesaartscenter.com. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Visit www.mesaartscenter.com for more information.
Breaking Ground Contemporary Dance and Film Festival March 20-21 Tempe Center for the Arts
CONDER/dance presents two programs of diverse contemporary dance and film works featuring guest artists from New York, California, Wisconsin, Utah, Texas, Finland, Israel, and more.
Tickets are $20 and available by calling 480-350-2822 of through tca.ticketforce.com. Shows start at 8:00 p.m. (Free 10 tiny dances pre-shows will be held in lobby at 7:30 p.m. both nights). Visit www.conderdance.com for more information.
Momix: Alchemia March 20-21 Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
This show features Moses Pendleton choreography that manipulates the four classic elements of earth, air, fire, and water to produce surprising metamorphoses.
Tickets are $29 to $59 and available by calling 480-499-8587 or through www.scottsdaleperformingarts.org. Visit www.mosespendleton.com for more information.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater April 10-11 Mesa Arts Center
This performance features the world-renowned New York City-based dance company established in 1958.
Tickets are $42-$62 and available by calling 480-644-6500 or through www.mesaartscenter.com. Shows start at 8:00 p.m. Visit www.alvinailey.org for more information.
Kota Yamazaki/Fluid Hug Hug Dance Co. April 11 ASU Gammage
This is the world première of QQ (Japanese for "palace"), a work that infuses movement with architectural elements and Japanese poetry to evoke Western and Eastern ideas and rituals around the concept of "palace."
Tickets are $24.25 and available by calling 480-965-3434 or through www.asugammage.com. Show starts at 7:00 p.m. Visit www.kotayamazaki.com for more information.
ASU Dance Annual April 24-26 Paul V. Galvin Playhouse
See the "greatest hits" of the 2014-2015 season, plus new pieces designed specifically for the Paul V. Galvin Playhouse. The show features works in a variety of platforms -- from the stage to outdoor sites to new media -- created by faculty, visiting artists, alumni, graduate students and undergraduate students.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for seniors and ASU faculty/staff/alumni, and $8 for students, and available by calling 480-965-6447 or through herberger.asu.edu/season. Show times vary. Visit herberger.asu.edu/season for more information.
American Voices April 25-26 Herberger Theater Center
New choreography by members of Center Dance Ensemble, and performances by guests artists, in celebration of National Poetry Month.
Tickets are $16 for adults, $13 for seniors, and $10 for students and available by calling 602-252-8497 or through www.herbergertheater.org. Show times vary. Visit www.centerdance.com for information.
All Balanchine April 30-May 3 Symphony Hall
Ballet Arizona performs three works by renowned choreographer George Balanchine: Allegro Brilliante, Stravinsky Violin Concerto, and La Sonnambula.
Ticket prices vary and are available by calling 602-381-1096 or through www.balletaz.org. Show times vary. Visit wwwballetaz.org for more information.
