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Metropolitan Classical Ballet Announces 2006-2007 Season
Celebrating Ten Years of Excellence on Stage

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - The 2006-2007 season repertory and performance schedule for Metropolitan Classical Ballet has been announced. The season will begin on September 2, 2006, and will run through June 22, 2007. In celebration of the company's 10 year anniversary, Artistic Directors Paul Mejia and Alexander Vetrov have designed a repertory that reflects what has become the hallmark of the company: a combination of rich traditional Russian ballets and classical works by George Balanchine, Paul Mejia, Alexander Vetrov and others. The Metropolitan Classical Ballet Orchestra, under the direction of Music Director Ron Spigelman, will accompany performances during the season.

Four programs will be presented at the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth: one full-length and three mixed repertory programs to include two world premieres, three company premieres, and the return of three favorites. The full-length production of The Nutcracker will be presented at Texas Hall on the campus of the University of Texas in Arlington.

Highlights include: new works by Paul Mejia and Alexander Vetrov, the company premiere of Paul Mejia's Webern Pieces, the return of the full-length Creation of the World, Alexander Vetrov's staging of the great Russian classic, La Bayadere, and the annual production of The Nutcracker.

Photo by Marty Sohl

Bass Performance Hall
Saturday, March 10, 2007 - 8:00 p.m.

La Bayadère / Music by Leon Minkus / Choreography by Marius Petipa

Notes on My Life / Musical Arrangements by Richard Adler / Choreography by Paul Mejia

A combination of Bolshoi and Broadway offers two works that span more than a century. The evening will open with two acts from the great Russian classic, La Bayadère, set in legendary India. Alexander Vetrov will stage two acts from this masterpiece by Marius Petipa. La Bayadère was first presented at the Maryinsky Theater, St. Petersburg, Russia on February 4, 1877. Mr. Vetrov and Nadia Gracheva danced the leads in the Bolshoi video production of La Bayadère.

The evening will conclude with Notes on My Life, a work by Paul Mejia set to music by Broadway composer Richard Adler. Premiered by the company in 2002, it was the first work created specifically for Metropolitan Classical Ballet by Mr. Mejia, and the second ballet that he and Richard Adler collaborated on. The first was Mr. Mejia's highly acclaimed Eight by Adler, which premiered in 1984 at the Chicago City Ballet. It was later filmed for PBS and won an Emmy Award for Suzanne Farrell.

SEASON FINALE / Bass Performance Hall / Friday, June 22, 8:00 PM, 2007

World Premiere / Choreography by Paul Mejia

World Premiere / Music by Alexei Rybnikov / Choreography by Alexander Vetrov

Two significant new works by co-artistic directors Paul Mejia and Alexander Vetrov will close the season. Alexander Vetrov's new work will be set to music by Alexei Rybnikov. A prominent composer and musician based in Moscow, Russia, Mr. Rybnikov has established a fascinating, multi-dimensional career, composing for film and other projects in Russia and around the world.

Programming, program order and casting for all productions is subject to change without notice.

Season subscriptions, group discounts, and Nutcracker tickets are available at Metropolitan Classical Ballet's administration office located at 500 West Abram in Arlington, or by calling (817) 275-0598.

Founded in 1997, Metropolitan Classical Ballet is well recognized as a major creative force in the dance world today. Co-artistic directors Paul Mejia and Alexander Vetrov are two of the most recognized names in ballet. Mr. Mejia, a former soloist with the New York City Ballet who danced principal roles in many Balanchine ballets, carries on Balanchine's style and artistic vision though his acclaimed choreography. Alexander Vetrov, former leading male principal dancer with the prestigious Bolshoi has the distinction of being the recipient of the Honored People's Artist of Russia, the highest honor given by the Russian President. Mr. Vetrov still maintains close connections with the Bolshoi today. The company dancers are comprised of twenty members who are valued for their superior technique and strong artistic personalities. Performances reach over 30,000 individuals each season. Four programs are presented at the prestigious Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, and the annual production of The Nutcracker is presented at Texas Hall on the campus of the University of Texas at Arlington. Located in Arlington, Texas, Metropolitan Classical Ballet's spacious state of the arts studios are unsurpassed in the North Texas area.

Metropolitan Classical Ballet's 2006/2007 season is made possible in part by its generous sponsors: American Airlines, WRR Classical 101, and the law firm of Hill Gilstrap.

Media Note: Further information and photos may be obtained by contacting Judy Puder at (817) 465-4644. Information can also be found on Metropolitan Classical Ballet's website www.mcballet.org.