Ballet Hispanico, recognized as the nation’s leading Latino dance organization since 1970, returns to the Joyce Theater from April 14-26, 2015 with 15 performances featuring five dynamic programs. Tickets start at $10 and are on sale now at www.joyce.org.

Under Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro, Ballet Hispanico has melded its Latino roots with an eclectic, sleekly modern style that has made it one “of the best contemporary repertory ensembles” (The New York Times). Highlights of this year’s Joyce season include a raw and athletic world premiere by Mexico-based choreographer Miguel Mancillas and the dazzling New York premiere of Show.Girl. by Miami-based, Princess Grace Award-winning choreographer Rosie Herrera.

Other highlights include the Joyce Premiere of Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s CARMEN.maquia, a contemporary spin on the iconic story about a passionate gypsy with set design by Luis Crespo and costumes by fashion designer David Delfin; Sombrerísimo, choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and commissioned by New York City Center for the 10th anniversary of the Fall for Dance Festival; and El Beso, choreographed by Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, with original costumes by Venezuelan fashion designer Angel Sanchez.

For the first time during its New York Season, Ballet Hispanico will also offer a 90-minute matinee on Saturday, April 18 that is specially curated for children and families featuring excerpts from Ballet Hispanico’s diverse repertory and a Q&A with the dancers. Hosted by Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro and Education Director AnaMaria Correa, Ballet Hispanico’s fun, interactive and educational Performances for Young People—now celebrating 30 years—give families a glimpse into the beauty of the arts and Latino culture.

“Our New York Season truly offers something for everyone,” said Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director of Ballet Hispanico. “The works this season highlight the full breadth of the company’s powerful ability to interpret the many shades of the Latino cultural experience. From raw human expression to stylized theatrical seduction, each work is a chapter in the past, present and future of our American experience. And, I am particularly excited to offer our beloved and signature Performances for Young People to family audiences through a special Saturday matinee.”

Ballet Hispanico’s New York Season at The Joyce Theater – April 14-26, 2015

Conquer (2015) – World Premiere
Choreography by Miguel Mancillas
A raw and athletic world premiere by Mexico-based choreographer Miguel Mancillas that explores, through notions of power and possession, the ways in which we seek to conquer spaces and people. Mr. Mancillas’s work came to fruition through Ballet Hispanico’s Instituto Coreográfico, an innovative choreography lab program for Latino dance makers.

Show.Girl. (2014) – New York Premiere
Choreography by Rosie Herrera
A dazzling New York premiere by Miami-based, award-winning choreographer Rosie Herrera, Show.Girl. uses the Cuban cabaret aesthetic to explore the Latina female identity. Ms. Herrera’s work was commissioned in part by American Dance Festival and came to fruition through Ballet Hispanico’s Instituto Coreográfico, an innovative choreography lab program for Latino dance makers.

CARMEN.maquia (2014) – Joyce Premiere
Choreography by Gustavo Ramírez Sansano
Hailed as a “masterpiece” by the Chicago Sun-Times, CARMEN.maquia is a Picasso-inspired contemporary take on Bizet’s beloved classic. The physically charged and sensual choreography fuses contemporary dance with nods to the Spanish paso doble and flamenco. A stunning set design by Luis Crespo and minimalist black-and-white costumes by fashion designer David Delfin evoke the paintings of Pablo Picasso. Highly original and full of elaborate partnering, CARMEN.maquia is a bold and electrifying reimagining of this tragic tale.

Sombrerísimo (2013)
Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
An absorbing exploration of identity, Sombrerísimo references the surrealist world of the Belgian painter René Magritte, famous for his paintings of men in bowler hats. This athletic work for six male dancers was commissioned by New York City Center for the 10th anniversary of the Fall for Dance Festival.

El Beso (2014)
Choreography by Gustavo Ramírez Sansano
Spaniard Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s first work for Ballet Hispanico is a spirited look at the nuances of a kiss set to Spanish Zarzuela music and featuring original costumes by Venezuelan fashion designer Angel Sanchez.

Asuka (2011) 
Choreography by Eduardo Vilaro
Asuka is a celebration of the music of Celia Cruz through the lens of the Latino experience. Cruz, renowned as the “Queen of Salsa,” captured the heart of Latinos the world over and became a symbol of perseverance for many. Through rich imagery and humor, Eduardo Vilaro explores the struggles of departure from one’s homeland and the exuberance of success experienced by a community.

Good Night Paradise (1994)
Choreography by Ramón Oller
Catalan lyrics, haunting tableaus, and relationships that stem from the dark side of the heart shape this powerful and highly physical piece of dance theater by Catalan modernist Oller.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Program A: Show.Girl., Conquer, El Beso 
Tue 4/14, Wed 4/15 at 7:30pm; Thu 4/16, Fri 4/17, Sat 4/18 at 8pm, Sun 4/19 at 7:30pm

Program B: CARMEN.maquia
Tue 4/21, Wed 4/22 at 7:30pm; Thu 4/23, Fri 4/24, Sat 4/25 at 8pm

Program C: Conquer, Sombrerísimo, El Beso
Sun 4/19 at 2pm; Sat 4/25 at 2pm

Program D: Show.Girl., Good Night Paradise, Sombrerísimo, Asuka
Sun 4/26 at 2pm*
*Specially programmed to celebrate retiring Ballet Hispanico dancer Jessica Alejandra Wyatt

SATURDAY EN FAMILIA Program:
Sat 4/18 at 2pm
Excerpts from Asuka, CARMEN.maquia, Sombrerísimo, El Beso
Bring the whole family to a 90-minute, fun-filled journey through Latin American dance and culture featuring excerpts from Ballet Hispanico’s diverse repertory and a Q&A with the dancers. Hosted by Ballet Hispanico Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro and Education Director AnaMaria Correa, our fun, interactive and educational Performances for Young People—now in their 30th year—give families a glimpse into the beauty of the arts and Latino culture. All tickets $25.

BALLET HISPANICO
The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue (at 19th Street), NYC
April 14-26, 2014
Tue-Wed 7:30pm; Thu-Fri 8pm; Sat 2pm & 8pm; Sun 2pm & 7:30pm
(Evening performance on Sunday, April 19 only.)
Tickets start at $10 and are available for purchase in person at the Joyce Theater Box Office,
by phone at (212) 242-0800, or online at joyce.org