Antonio, Mata to Alternate in Spanish Ballet Pieces

Jose Antonio, artistic director of the Royal Spanish National Ballet, will be featured in two of the four pieces on the bill during the company’s Aug. 2-7 run at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

Antonio and principal dancer Juan Mata will alternate in “Alborada del gracioso,” to Ravel’s score, and will dance the previously announced “Medea,” with music by Manolo Sanlucar. Both pieces have been choreographed by Jose Granero.

The 5-year-old, Madrid-based company, which will be making its first West Coast tour, also will perform two other previously announced works: Alberto Lorca’s “Ritmos,” to music by Jose Nieto, and Martin Vargas’ “Flamenco,” to traditional music.

All four pieces will be performed at each program. There will be seven programs in all, nightly at 8 and Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. Casting is as follows:

“Alborada del gracioso”:

--Mata: Aug. 2, 4, 6 (matinee), 7.

--Antonio: Aug. 3, 5, 6 (evening).

“Medea”:

--Gonzalez (Medea): Aug. 2, 4, 6 (matinee), 7.

--Merche Esmeralda (Medea): Aug. 3, 5, 6 (evening).

Antonio and Mata will dance Jason and Creon, respectively, at each performance.

“Ritmos”:

--Maribel Gallardo, Joaquin Cortes, Aug. 2, 4, 6 (matinee), 7.

--Ana Gonzalez, Mata: Aug. 3, 5, 6 (evening).

‘Flamenco”:

--Aida Gomez: Aug. 2, 4, 6 (matinee), 7.

--Gallardo: Aug. 3, 5, 6 (evening).

For tickets and information, call (714) 556-2787.