‘Giselle,’ Sinatra salute among highlights of City Ballet of San Diego’s new season

City Ballet of San Diego announced its productions for the upcoming season, which includes an array of classical and contemporary performances for all ages. 

The Pacific Beach-based company performs in San Diego and Escondido under the direction of Artistic Director Steven Wistrich and Associate Artistic Director Ariana Gonzalez. 

“We have assembled a season designed to showcase ballet at its best for audiences in both downtown San Diego and North County,” Wistrich said in a news release.

The program Sinatra will open City Ballet’s 33rd season on Sept. 12, featuring two nights of performances guided by Resident Choreographers Elizabeth Wistrich and Geoffrey Gonzalez under the stars at the Epstein Family Amphitheatre on UC San Diego’s campus. The show features the music of star crooner Frank Sinatra and Alexander Glazunov. 

Tickets start at $39 and a free meet-and-greet with the dancers will open after the event. 

In October and December, City Ballet will showcase performances of iconic shows Giselle and The Nutcracker.

 Giselle, a beloved romantic show, features music by Adolphe Adam and choreography from Elizabeth Wistrich. A large cast of dancers will perform at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido on Oct. 25 and 26. 

The award-winning performance of The Nutcracker will return to the stage, bringing holiday cheer to families, from Dec. 20 through Dec. 23 at the California Center for the Arts, featuring the timeless adventures of Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, Herr Drosselmeyer and the Sugar Plum Fairy. 

As winter melts into spring, the March program, titled Rhapsody in Blue, will feature Geoffrey Gonzalez’s take on George Gerswin’s classic, jazz-inspired piece, composed in 1924. The season will end in May with a new version of The Firebird from Elizabeth Wistrich. 

There also will be a full-length performance of Who Cares? choreographed by the “father of American ballet,” George Balanchine and a production of The Sleeping Beauty that is meant to introduce young children to ballet. 

Tickets can be ordered online at www.cityballet.org.