Joffrey Gala Will Feature Four L.A. Premieres

The Joffrey Ballet’s 35th-anniversary season at the Music Center will open May 7 with the Opening Night Absolut Gala, which features four L.A. premieres, including three new ballets commissioned by Absolut Vodka, as well as Robert Joffrey’s 1980 “Postcards.”

Among the new ballets, which will be performed throughout the season, is “Empyrean Dances,” choreographed by the late Edward Stierle, who died March 8 of complications from AIDS during the company’s New York season. (Stierle’s first ballet, “Lacrymosa,” which was performed last season in Los Angeles, was added to the season as a tribute. It replaces the previously announced revival of “Kettentanz.”)

The two other Absolut-commissioned ballets are Christopher D’Amboise’s “Runaway Train” and Charles Moulton’s “Panoramagram.” Also new to the company this season are Alonzo King’s “Lila” and George Balanchine’s pas de deux “Tarantella.”