The NBA Ballet is set to stage an eclectic bill at Saitama Arts Theater next month, comprising the world premieres of two modern works and 1958's contemporary-style classic, "Stars and Stripes," by the so-called "father of American ballet," Russian-born George Balanchine.
Not only do the three pieces offer something to tempt every dance appetite, but with 2014's Prix de Lausanne winner Haruo Niyama appearing as a guest artist, audiences can expect a rare feast of performing art.
As Koichi Kubo, the NBA's artistic director, said recently, "Balanchine created 'Stars and Stripes' as a salute to the United States, his adopted country, and as I spent most of my dancing career in America, I wanted to salute the country by showcasing this work."