So I was about ready to jump in the car and drive to Kansas City after reading a NYTimes review of the Kansas City Ballet’s new ballet “Tom Sawyer” performed in the new Muriel Kauffman Theater (inside the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts) but thought it wise to check first to see if it’s still happening.
And alas, the last performance was Oct. 23 (so why did the story run on Oct. 25….grrrr). (“Tom” is reportedly KC Ballet’s first new production and likely “the first all-new, entirely American three-act ballet,” according to the NYTimes which gave the production, the dancers and the new performance space thumbs up.)
Anyway, the ballet company and the Kauffman Center- which we have watched being built during our frequent trips through downtown KC – are now on my list for early May when there’s a performance of work by four famous NYC Ballet choreographers. (Apparently KC Ballet and NYC Ballet have a longstanding relationship. Who knew?) During its Masters of American Dance production May 4-13, the KC Ballet will perform work by four famous choreographers: George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins & Todd Bolender (Bolender, was a former Balanchine dancer and artistic director of the KC Ballet.)
TakeBetsywithyou 
Great to know you saw that great review. We here at the Ballet are very pleased with it. Alistair Macauley, the NYTimes reviewer could not get to see the show until the final weekend and thus, his notice was published after the fact. But I encourage you to make the trip in May. It will be a great program (with full orchestra in the pit) in a wonderful new Muriel Kauffman Theater. Also, while you are in town, be sure to pop in on the Todd Bolender Center for Dance & Creativity. This is the Ballet’s new home where the company rehearses, the school is and the administration as well. Its a 100 year old abandoned and now repurposed coal power plant . Its one of the finest centers for dance in the world!
Sounds great Jeff. Any chance of a revival (a little early I know) of Tom Sawyer and does the KC Ballet tour at all?
It is early for a revival but it will certainly come back on our stage sooner rather than later.
As for touring, its a very tough market out there and has been for years now. Ballet is expensive to carry around and few presenters want to take the financial risk. There is some chance other ballet companies might be interested in having their companies do Tom with our sets and costumes, Bill Whitener’s choreography and Mr. Yeston’s music….but too early to tell. There were at least 2 artistic directors from other cities that came to see the show. Jeff
Thanks for the explanation. fingers crossed it can happen!