Harlem, Feld Troupes Set for Arts Center Debuts : O.C. Dance: Joining the acclaimed New York groups in an expanded ‘95-96 series will be favorites such as the Kirov and ABT.

Dance Theatre of Harlem and Feld Ballets/NY will make their Orange County Performing Arts Center debuts during the center’s expanded 1995-96 dance series, officials announced today.

The Harlem-based troupe will appear Nov. 10-12 in two different programs, with works likely to include John Taras’ Caribbean-influenced staging of Fokine’s “The Firebird,” Alvin Ailey’s “The River,” and Michael Smuin’s “A Song for Dead Warriors” and “Medea,” according to the center.

Feld Ballets will bring a variety of works by New York choreographer Eliot Feld April 9-11, 1996. Under consideration are “Harbinger,” the piece that launched Feld’s choreographic career; “Danzon Cubano”; “Over the Pavement”; “Endsong”; “Wolfgang Strategies” and “Evoe.”

The season, expanded from the usual four to six companies, also will include some returning favorites: the Royal Danish Ballet (May 23-28), the Kirov Ballet (Oct. 3-8), the San Francisco Ballet (Nov. 28-30) and American Ballet Theatre (Feb. 22-25, 1996). SFB additionally will dance “The Nutcracker” Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 1-3 as a non-subscription series event.

“I’ve personally been a fan of Dance Theatre of Harlem for years,” said center president Tom Tomlinson. “Giving black dancers an opportunity to perform in the field of classical dance says a lot about a mission-driven company like that. I certainly think their work is exceptional and a value to our audiences.

“Feld is again a company I’ve watched develop over the years. Eliot is one of the most prolific choreographers. His work is seen in many companies. Bringing his work here is something I think our audiences will find engaging.”

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The Royal Danes, as previously announced, will dance company director Peter Schaufuss’ staging of August Bournonville’s “La Sylphide” and Bournonville’s “A Folk Tale,” with sets and costumes by Denmark’s Queen Margrethe II.

The Kirov will offer a mixed repertory program that reflects the Ballets Russes heritage, including Fokine’s “Sheherazade,” “Chopiniana” (also known as “Les Sylphides”) and “The Firebird” Oct. 3-5. The Russian troupe will dance the full-length “Cinderella” staged by company artistic director Oleg Vinogradov Oct. 6-8.

The San Francisco Ballet will dance works by a range of choreographers. Under consideration are Balanchine (“Symphony in C”), Mark Morris (“Maelstrom”), David Bintley (“The Dance House”) and company director Helgi Tomasson (“Handel--A Celebration”).

American Ballet Theatre, which has appeared every season at the center since the hall opened in 1986, will bring Kenneth MacMillan’s “Romeo and Juliet.”

The Kirov will bring its own orchestra. Feld Ballets will dance to tape, as the company does in New York. The other companies will be accompanied by the Pacific Symphony.

The dance series is being sponsored by the Harry and Grace Steele Foundation of Newport Beach and the Leo Freedman Foundation in Anaheim. Subscription tickets will range from $71 to $253 and will include four events: the Royal Danish and Kirov ballets, either American Ballet Theatre or Dance Theatre of Harlem, and either Feld Ballets/NY or the San Francisco Ballet. Tickets will go on sale Feb. 18.

Individual tickets will go on sale eight weeks before each engagement. Prices will be $18 to $55 for Dance Theatre of Harlem, American Ballet Theatre and the San Francisco Ballet’s “Nutcracker”; $18 to $49 for the San Francisco Ballet mixed repertory programs and for Feld Ballets/NY, and $20 to $70 for the Royal Danish Ballet and the Kirov Ballet.