The Joffrey Will Dance as Planned at Charleston’s Spoleto Festival

After nearly canceling their appearance, the financially troubled Joffrey Ballet will perform as planned at the 14th Spoleto Festival U.S.A. in Charleston, S.C. Festival officials made the announcement at a press conference Friday morning in Charleston, where the Joffrey is scheduled to perform next weekend.

The Joffrey board had reportedly voted last week to cancel the engagement, which surprised and angered the board and management at Spoleto. The near-cancellation was the latest development in the company’s spate of recent troubles, including the resignation of company artistic director and co-founder Gerald Arpino just prior to its May season at the Music Center.

Arpino resigned because of a management reorganization prompted in part by the company’s $2-million deficit, but he returned to his post after almost a month of maneuverings and negotiations.

The Joffrey also announced that it will complete its national tour this summer, which, in addition to Spoleto, includes stops at Wolf Trap Farm Park in Vienna, Va., June 19-21, and Artpark in Lewiston, N.Y., June 26-July 1. Its scheduled performances in Berkeley were canceled by the presenter when the company’s fate seemed uncertain during the recent crisis.

Joffrey officials did not announce plans for their scheduled annual residency at Cal State Los Angeles beginning July 31, but according to the office of public affairs there, the troupe is still expected to arrive this summer.