Ballet Arizona Takes on the Cinematic Stage with New World Premiere
‘Moving Movies’ Honors Film Icons In Old Hollywood-Themed Ballet
Ballet Arizona celebrates cinematic classics with its brand-new world premiere production of Moving Movies Feb. 15-18, 2024 at Symphony Hall. Performed with live music accompaniment by The Phoenix Symphony, Ballet Arizona will travel back in time to 1950s and 60s Hollywood with a unique dance experience that takes ballet from the stage to the big screen.
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Written and choreographed by Resident Choreographer Nayon Iovino, Moving Movies will feature a new full-length story ballet about a director of a famous movie studio who gets abducted by an opportunistic villain. In typical old Hollywood fashion, this celebrated director is held hostage and forced to create an Oscar-worthy script for the villains to produce, until he is rescued by the story’s “hero.”
This ballet will feature celebrated music scores such as “James Bond Suite – Orchestra Medley,” composed by John Barry, and “West Side Story Overture,” composed by Leonard Bernstein. Other famous scores include “Morning Promenade” from the Charlie Chaplin film The Kid, “Orchestral Suite” from the film La Dolce Vita composed by Nino Rota, and“Amarcord” from the film Amarcord both composed by Nino Rota and directed by Federico Fellini.
“This show will be a homage to all the classic films that we know and love,” said Iovino. “Through an original story, we will connect all these movies together – and the dance will be fun, exhilarating and original. One of the most exciting parts of the show is that we are integrating an interactive experience between the dance and the massive LED screen. It will be a first in any story ballet ever made.”
Moving Movies will take audiences on a cinematic journey through some of the biggest films of all time, featuring powerful music and stunning visuals that will entertain the senses. Let Ballet Arizona delight and entertain with colorful costumes, live music, and thrilling choreography in an unforgettable experience that guests will not want to miss.
“Nayon has proven his talents in the many years he has been choreographing, earning him this role,” said Ib Andersen, Ballet Arizona’s artistic director. “I’m looking forward to seeing how Nayon is going to challenge himself with his choreography and what direction he will go with it, because it is a journey.”
Moving Movies is produced by Joan and Charlie Berry, Goodmans Interior Structures, and Salt River Project. Ballet Arizona’s opening night series sponsors are F. Francis and Dionne Najafi of Pivotal Foundation.
Ticket prices for Moving Movies start at $35, with discounts offered for seniors, students, military, and groups. Tickets can be purchased by calling 602.381.1096 or visiting https://balletaz.org/performance/moving-movies-2024/.
Ballet Arizona
Ballet Arizona is dedicated to preserving and celebrating classical dance while creating new and innovative works. Under the artistic direction of internationally acclaimed choreographer Ib Andersen – a former Principal Dancer with The New York City Ballet and The Royal Danish Ballet – Ballet Arizona follows his lead to the future of dance in Arizona. The School of Ballet Arizona promotes access to the art form of ballet through dance education, with a focus on excellence in the form, directing each student to a life-long love of dance. Following this vision, Ballet Arizona connects to more than 22,000 children and families every year through its free and low-cost outreach programs. For more information, visit balletaz.org.
