New Orleans Ballet Association

NEW ORLEANS, LA--The New Orleans Ballet Association is proud to announce that New Orleans’ very own Mireille Hassenboehler will be dancing the lead role in Houston Ballet’s upcoming performance of Marie on March 28. After premiering in February, the company travels to New Orleans on March 27 and 28 for a two night engagement at the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts.

Inspired by the life of the legendary French queen Marie Antoinette, the new three-act narrative ballet recounts the life and times of history’s favorite villainess. Hassenboehler, a native of New Orleans, trained with Harvey Hysell until the age of seventeen. After studying at the San Francisco Ballet School and Houston Ballet’s Ben Stevenson Academy, Hassenboehler joined Houston Ballet in 1992 and was promoted to principal in 2000. Her classical repertoire includes a variety of works and she has had featured roles in both classical and contemporary works, including Balachine’s The Four Temperaments, Forsythe’s In the middle, somewhat elevated; McIntrye’s Skeleton Clock, and Stevenson’s The Snow Maiden. Hassenboehler will also perform on March 27, in the role of Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria.

The production, which features more than 70 dancers, was choreographed by acclaimed artistic director Stanton Welch. “I was drawn to the dramatic character arc of Marie’s life,” said Welch. “Married as a child bride to the French dauphin at the age of 15 to secure an alliance between Austria and France, she went on to become a doting mother and later a tragic victim of the French revolution who impressed many with her dignity and self possession during her sham trial.”

Marie also features elaborate costumes and sets by London-based designer, Kandis Cook, who will create over 150 costumes for the ballet based on the style and designs from 1770-1795 Austria and France. The score for Marie, arranged by Houston Ballet Music Director Ermanno Florio, is set to be performed by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. “Welch’s brilliant choice of a Dmitri Shostakovich score resonates emotionally. Really, it’s ravishing.” (The Houston Chronicle)

The upcoming performances by the Houston Ballet mark the company’s thirtieth anniversary of touring to New Orleans. “We’re excited to bring them back, not only because of the superiority of their work, but also because of how generously they gave of their time and resources after the storm,” said Jenny Hamilton, Executive Director for NOBA. “In the fall of 2006, Houston Ballet created a specific program with 22 dancers for our stage at Tulane’s Dixon Hall. Normally they travel with over 50 dancers, so their concessions made it possible for us to maintain the quality of dance presented, even on the smaller stage.”

As one of the most sought after choreographers of his generation, Stanton Welch has created ballets for such prestigious international companies as San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Australian Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet in the United Kingdom, and Royal Danish Ballet. His new work for Houston Ballet will be his thirteenth ballet for the company. Marie is the second original evening-length work Mr. Welch has created for Houston Ballet, after Tales of Texas in March 2004. Mr. Welch has staged a number of full-length story ballets including Swan Lake (2006) for Houston Ballet; The Sleeping Beauty (2005), Cinderella (1997), and Madame Butterfly (1995) for The Australian Ballet.

In celebration of the brand new ballet, the New Orleans Ballet Association and BRAVO (Ballet Resource And Volunteer Organization) will also host The Marie Antoinette Ball. Chaired by Charlotte Bollinger, the gala will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Muriel’s on Jackson Square will host a Benefactor Party on Wednesday, March 18. Proceeds from the evening will support NOBA and the return to the newly renovated Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts.

Houston Ballet recommends this performance for children ages 12 and older. Both performances will begin at 8pm; ticket prices range from $10 to $100. Students and seniors (65 and older) receive a $7 discount off the regular ticket prices of $35 and higher. Group discounts also are available. For tickets or information, call the New Orleans Ballet Association Box Office at (504) 522-0996. Tickets may be purchased online through www.nobadance.com, or via Ticketmaster at (504) 522-5555 or www.ticketmaster.com.

This event is sponsored by the Betty S. and James A. Noe Jr. Foundation, Superior Energy Services, and Sheraton New Orleans Hotel. Additional support provided by Conoco Phillips.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which believes that a great nation deserves great art; a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Arts Council of New Orleans (ACNO); a Community Arts Grant made possible through the City of New Orleans as administered by ACNO; a grant from the Louisiana State Arts Council through the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the NEA.