During September and October of this year, Kyiv City Ballet — under the artistic direction of Ivan Kozlov — will tour the United States in its first-ever appearance in the country. The company’s story adds urgency to the tour: their flight to Paris occurred the day before the invasion of Ukraine, and the performers have been unable to return home since their tour began.
© Courtesy of Kyiv City Ballet
“We are honored to share the beauty of ballet with US audiences, through Ukrainian artists,” said Ivan Kozlov, dancer and leader of the troupe. “Touring the States for the first time with a range of ballets makes an important global statement. It demonstrates the resilience of the Ukrainian people.”
© Courtesy of Kyiv City Ballet
The U.S. tour offers a varied program, headlined by a full-length performance of Swan Lake, in the tradition of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with staging by Ivan Kozlov. The mixed repertory program includes three shorter works: Thoughts, a contemporary piece choreographed by Vladyslav Dobshynskyi; Tribute to Peace, a neo-classical work by Ekaterina and Ivan Kozlov; and Men of Kyiv, a vigorous Ukrainian folk dance arranged by Pavlo Virsky.
© Courtesy of Kyiv City Ballet
Ukrainian prima ballerinas Krystina Kadashevych and Oksana Bondarenko will be featured on the U.S. tour, joined by principal Vsevolod Maevskiy, a Mariinsky Ballet soloist and former student of Kozlov. Confirmed engagements include Davidson College in Charlotte, North Carolina; The Music Hall in Detroit; The Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University in Chicago; New York City Center’s Fall for Dance Festival in New York City; Arkansas State University Fowler Arts Center; and The Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Additional dates will be announced this summer. For the most up-to-date schedule and ticket information, check Kyiv City Ballet’s official website.