For its golden anniversary, Texas Ballet Theater is presenting a handful of chestnuts — Cinderella, The Nutcracker (plus one performance of The Nutty Nutcracker — along with the North Texas premiere of Don Quixote. But the season will open with a mixed-repertoire evening that includes artistic director Ben Stevenson’s heralded Four Last Songs (with music by Richard Strauss), George Balanchine’s Theme and Variations (music by Tchaikovsky) and a third work to be announced.

All four productions will be presented in both Dallas and Fort Worth. The full press release is below the fold.

Texas Ballet Theater Announces 50th Anniversary 2010/2011 Season

Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas… Almost a half century since its inception, Texas Ballet Theater (TBT) announces the 2010-2011 season, TBT’s Golden Anniversary Season. “We are very excited about our 50th season and look forward to celebrating this milestone throughout 2010-2011”, said Margo McCann, TBT’s Managing Director.

“We will open our Golden Anniversary Season with the ever-popular Cinderella, a favorite of children and adults alike. Cinderella will be followed by the holiday favorite The Nutcracker including one performance of The Nutty Nutcracker at Bass Hall in Fort Worth. Our first production of 2010-11will be a mixed repertoire program that will include Artistic Director Ben Stevenson’s universally praised Four Last Songs, George Balanchine’s elegant Theme and Variations and a third work to be announced. Our final production of the 2010-11 Season will be the North Texas premiere of Don Quixote. All four productions will be presented in both Dallas and Fort Worth”, said McCann.

In the half century since its inception, TBT has grown from a small civic dance company into the second largest professional ballet company in Texas, employing 37 superbly trained professional dancers from around the world. During the 2010-11 Season, TBT will produce over fifty performances in North Texas, performing for well over 100,000 people. TBT is led by Ben Stevenson, O.B.E., one of the ballet world’s most beloved and treasured Artistic Directors.

As one of the most enduring arts institutions in North Texas, TBT will hold special events throughout the season to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.

About Texas Ballet Theater

Founded in 1961, Texas Ballet Theater is the premier professional ballet company in North Texas. Under Artistic Director Ben Stevenson O.B.E., the Ballet brings unprecedented talent, beauty and artistic expression to the stages of the Nancy Nee & Perry R. Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth and the AT&T Performing Arts Center Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House in Dallas. For more information, please visit www.texasballettheater.org.