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The best of the dance world will be coming to Nantucket with this summer's Nantucket Atheneum Dance Festival held from July 26-31st. In its third year, the Nantucket Atheneum Dance Festival will feature compelling classical and contemporary dance including works of legendary choreographer Jerome Robbins and 37-year old British sensation Christopher Wheeldon. Artistic Director Benjamin Millepied has also gathered together an outstanding company of world class dancers from the New York City Ballet (NYCB) and American Ballet Theatre (ABT). Returning dancers from previous years include: Wendy Whelan (NYCB), Gillian Murphy (ABT), David Hallberg (ABT), Cory Stearns (ABT), Blaine Hoven (ABT). New to the festival this year are: Kathryn Morgan (NYCB), Tyler Angle (NYCB), Jennie Somogyi (NYCB), Gonzalo Garcia (NYCB), Craig Hall (NYCB), Teresa Reichlen (NYCB), Maria Riccetto (ABT), and Adrian Danchig Waring (NYCB).* New to the festival this year is the addition of live musical accompaniment for many of the works on the program...

 

Festival artistic director Benjamin Millepied will dance the solo role in Jerome Robbins' "Suite of Dances," which premiered with Mikhail Baryshnikov in 1994. A second Robbins piece, "Other Dances," which premiered with Baryshnikov and Natalia Makarova in 1976, will be performed by American Ballet Theatre principal dancers Gillian Murphy and David Hallberg. The festival also honors Robbins contribution to ballet by screening the documentary film "Jerome Robbins: Something To Dance About" at the Nantucket Atheneum on July 26 at 7 p.m.

 

Christopher Wheeldon's exciting work "Polyphonia," will be presented this summer at the festival. The work premiered at the NYCB in 2001. Original "Polyphonia" cast members Wendy Whelan, Jennie Somogyi and Craig Hall will reprise their performances for the 2010 Nantucket Atheneum Dance Festival.

 

Two classical ballets round out the dance program: George Balanchine's "Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux," which will be danced by Maria Riccetto and Blaine Hoven and Kenneth MacMillan's "Romeo And Juliet Balcony Pas de Deux," danced by Maria Riccetto and Cory Stearns.

 

The Nantucket Atheneum Dance Festival will feature two evening performances on July 30 and July 31 at 6:30 pm at the Nantucket High School. Ticket prices for the evening performances range from $45 - $85, with discounts available for students and senior citizens.

 

In addition, the festival has an extensive series of free community outreach programs including a special free performance for children ages 5 and up on July 28 at the high school. Company dancers will perform excerpts from "Polyphonia," "Romeo and Juliet Pas de Deux," and ""Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux." Artistic director Benjamin Millepied will also offer some commentary to the program.

 

There will also be a free lecture/demonstration with Benjamin Millepied on July 29; two youth master ballet classes for students 18 years old or younger who have had at least two years of ballet training (pre-registration for the youth master ballet class is required). The library will screen two films at the Atheneum in the Great Hall: "Jerome Robbins: Something To Dance About" on Monday. July 26 and "West Side Story"on Tuesday, July 27. Both films are free and begin at 7 p.m.

 

The Nantucket Atheneum Dance Festival is the library's major fundraiser with all proceeds benefiting the library. Tickets go on sale in July 1 at the library or on its website at www.nantucketatheneum.org.

 

For more information or to purchase tickets please visit or stop into the Nantucket Atheneum, 1 India Street.

 

* Please note the program of dances and dancers are subject to change.