The Milwaukee Ballet is a resident professional dance company, representing traditional and contemporary ballet performances expressing the highest aspirations and deepest emotions of the human spirit.

For over a generation the Milwaukee Ballet has been delighting audiences with dazzling choreography and incomparable dancers. And now, as we improve upon our rich history, the Ballet is poised to launch itself on an even more energetic trajectory.

The Sleeping Beauty
October 23–26, 2008

The season begins with the enchanting fairytale and classical ballet The Sleeping Beauty. Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score played by the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra takes you to a magical kingdom once upon a time, complete with fairies, an evil witch and magic spells.

The story unfolds as the beautiful princess is cursed to one day prick her finger and succumb to eternal sleep, awaiting only the kiss of a handsome prince. The Sleeping Beauty blends beautiful divertissements with sumptuous costumes and dramatic scenery to captivate and delight.

Fancy Free
February 19–22, 2009
Sponsored by: The Ettinger Family Foundation

Dance right into the New Year with the youthful and spirited American ballet Fancy Free and two world premieres.

Pairing Leonard Bernstein’s bouncy score with Jerome Robbins’ exuberant choreography, Fancy Free shows what happens when three sailors go out looking for fun and adventure on a hot summer night in New York City.

Inspiration for the movie musical "On the Town" with Gene Kelly, the ballet’s fresh, energetic dancing and toe-tapping music are sure to entertain. World premieres by the nationally-acclaimed and physically daring choreographer Adam Hougland and a classical divertissement by Artistic Director Michael Pink round out the dynamic series.

Live and Kicking: International Choreographers Series
May 14–17, 2009
Sponsored by: The Stella H. Jones Foundation

Common People | Gustav’s Rooster
The season wraps up with a multifaceted series of familiar and inspiring pieces with drastically different landscapes. Nationally-acclaimed, Common People returns to Milwaukee for a repeat performance that is both comical and sensual. Choreographed by Margo Sappington and set to the voice of William Shatner and music by Ben Folds, this stunning ballet is not to be missed. Gustav’s Rooster, an abstract work from the versatile choreographer Val Caniparoli, and a new world premiere by Mark Godden conclude the series.

The magic of the season returns with Milwaukee’s favorite holiday tradition, Michael Pink’s The Nutcracker. Tchaikovsky’s familiar, captivating score played by the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra transports you to Clara’s dream world filled with marching soldiers, flying angels, dancing dolls and pirouetting snow fairies.

The Milwaukee Children’s Choir and Milwaukee Ballet School dancers add to the charm of this production. Kids from one to 92 will fall in love with this timeless holiday tale brought to life on the stage.

Don't Miss the Magic
Tchaikovsky’s score for The Nutcracker is some of the composer's most popular work, and contains some of his most memorable melodies. One novelty in the original score was the use of the celesta, a new instrument Tchaikovsky discovered in Paris, for the character of the Sugar Plum Fairy to characterize her because of the celesta’s "heavenly sweet sound".

Tchaikovsky’s selection of eight of the more popular numbers from the ballet formed The Nutcracker Suite, intended for concert performance, but should never be mistaken for the complete ballet. The suite became instantly popular while the complete ballet did not achieve great popularity until around the mid-1960s.

Performances of Milwaukee Ballet's Nutcracker:
On Sale After August 25, 2008

Friday, December 12, 2008 • 7:30pm

Saturday, December 13, 2008 • 1:30pm

Saturday, December 13, 2008 • 7:30pm

Sunday, December 14, 2008 • 12 noon

Sunday, December 14, 2008 • 4:30pm

Thursday, December 18, 2008 • 7:30pm

Friday, December 19, 2008 • 7:30pm

Saturday, December 20, 2008 • 1:30pm

Saturday, December 20, 2008 • 7:30pm

Sunday, December 21, 2008 • 12 noon

Sunday, December 21, 2008 • 4:30pm

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 • 12 noon

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 • 4:30pm

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 • 11am

Friday, December 26, 2008 • 4pm

Saturday, December 27, 2008 • 1:30pm

Saturday, December 27, 2008 • 7:30pm

Sunday, December 28, 2008 • 12 noon

Sunday, December 28, 2008 • 4:30pm