Lift with the legs: Boston Ballet boxes up the Opera House.
Boston Ballet Company has all the right moves
▶ Dance group leaps into new space and new season with new energy, new look and a new dance partner
Mikko Nissinen: 60 seconds with the Artistic Director
Will a smaller theater change the way you approach set design and staging?
The only production we would have a problem fitting in [the Opera House] is our “Swan Lake” — that’s massive. But it’s time for us to build a new “Swan Lake” anyway.
You have a jam-packed season. Which show are you most excited about?
Well, for me, the one show that is always super exciting is “Night of Stars” because if you’ve never seen the Boston Ballet, or don’t know anything about it, you get to understand in one night.
How do you think the economy has affected audiences’ demand for dance?
I have been absolutely amazed and so pleased with the enthusiasm that our audiences embrace the company with. It’s not a polite appreciation, it’s a genuine energy and true excitement.
METRO/KTL
After nearly three decades at the Wang Center (and splitting the last few seasons at the Boston Opera House for “The Nutcracker”), the Boston Ballet Company has now moved to their new home at Opera House, the sole venue for their productions.
“We really felt strongly that all performances are at one place,” says Mikko Nissinen, the ballet’s artistic director. “You don’t control your future if you don’t control your venue. And now we have a 30-year deal with the Opera House which gives us stability.”
But a few changes needed to be made to the 2,600-seat venue before the company’s 2009-2010 season. Even though the House was just restored in 2004, Live Nation (the owners) and Boston Ballet invested $450,000 in renovations to hold the second largest orchestra in New England, the Boston Ballet Orchestra.
And to further enhance the audience experience, the company has bent over backwards to keep its subscribers up-to-date about all the new changes.
BB public relations and communications head Mariel MacNaughton says the subscribers have
“definitely been very vocal.”
“But in a positive way,” she stresses.
In addition, the ballet has dropped Telecharge for its ticket sales and now controls its own box office with staffers who are knowledgeable about the theater and the productions.
Boston Ballet:
‘Night of Stars’
Saturday, 7 p.m.
The Opera House
539 Washington St., Boston
MBTA: Green Line to Boylston
$25-$132, 617-695-6955
www.bostonballet.org
