The Sarasota Ballet Brings Art and Imagination to Life in Program Two
Image: Photo by Frank Atura
The Sarasota Ballet continues its 2026–2027 Season with an extraordinary celebration of artistry, imagination, and movement. On November 20–21, the Company returns to the Sarasota Opera House for Program Two, presenting three distinctive ballets by Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Jessica Lang, and Alexei Ratmansky. Featuring two Company premieres and live music by the Sarasota Orchestra, the program promises an exciting combination of classical tradition, contemporary creativity, and breathtaking visual design.
A Masterpiece of Art and Dance
A highlight of the program is the Company premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, a vibrant and visually captivating ballet that transforms the stage into a moving gallery of art.
With animated projections inspired by Kandinsky’s artwork, striking costumes by French fashion designer Adeline André, and Ratmansky’s imaginative choreography, Pictures at an Exhibition creates a remarkable interplay of music, movement, and visual art. The result is a dynamic theatrical experience that highlights both the individuality of the dancers and the extraordinary versatility of the Company.
Image: Photo by Frank Atura
Three Distinctive Choreographic Voices
Opening the program is the Company premiere of Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s Solitaire, a poignant and playful ballet first performed in 1956. Set to Malcolm Arnold’s lively music, the work follows a young woman who moves between observing and participating in the activities around her, searching for a sense of belonging. Beneath its elegant choreography and lighthearted moments lies a touching exploration of individuality and isolation, revealing the emotional depth that would become a hallmark of MacMillan’s celebrated career.
The program also welcomes the return of Jessica Lang’s Lyric Pieces, a beautiful fusion of dance, music, and sculptural design. Set to Edvard Grieg’s expressive piano compositions, the ballet features innovative black-paper structures that unfold, expand, and transform throughout the performance. These striking scenic elements become an integral part of the choreography, creating ever-changing landscapes for the dancers and offering audiences a uniquely immersive visual experience.
Celebrating 20 Seasons of Artistic Excellence
Program Two continues a milestone year for The Sarasota Ballet as the Company celebrates 20 Seasons under the direction of Iain Webb. Throughout his tenure, Webb has developed a distinctive repertoire that honors ballet’s rich heritage while introducing audiences to the work of influential contemporary choreographers.
Bringing together the dramatic storytelling of MacMillan, the inventive theatricality of Lang, and the vivid artistic vision of Ratmansky, Program Two offers audiences an opportunity to experience the remarkable range of ballet in a single performance.
Image: Photo by Frank Atura
Experience Program Two
The Sarasota Ballet presents Program Two at the Sarasota Opera House on Friday, November 20, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, November 21, at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Tickets start at $35 and are available through The Sarasota Ballet's website or by calling the Box Office at 941.359.0099.
Discover three exceptional works, two exciting Company premieres, and the artistry that makes The Sarasota Ballet a celebrated part of Sarasota’s cultural landscape.