ABT World Premiere Set for O.C.

The American Ballet Theatre will present a world premiere to music by Wynton Marsalis, and the Mark Morris Dance Group will make its Orange County Performing Arts Center debut during the center’s 1996-97 dance series, announced today.

ABT will be at the center Feb. 11-16 doing its new full-length work, by a choreographer to be announced, and a mixed repertory program. Morris’ company, also from New York, will perform his full-length “L’Allegro, Il Penserosoed Il Moderato” April 3-6, 1997.

The season also will include three troupes in return engagements: the Nederlands Dans Theater (July 27-Aug. 3), the San Francisco Ballet (Oct. 2-5) and the Royal Ballet (May 20-25, 1997).

In addition, Nederlands Dans Theater 2 & 3, troupe offshoots made up of younger and older dancers respectively, will perform a variety of choreographers’ works April 18-20, 1997. The offshoot companies will be making their center debuts.

As a nonsubscription event, Joffrey Ballet/Chicago will be back at the center Dec. 24-29, dancing “The Nutcracker.”

Nederlands Dance Theater 1 will present two programs of work by the company’s artistic director, Jiri Kylian, including an American premiere. The offshoots will dance contemporary pieces. Nederlands 2 will feature former ABT principal Martine Van Hamel.

The San Francisco Ballet will dance “Swan Lake” as envisioned by its artistic director, Helgi Tomasson.

The Royal Ballet will conclude the season with “Sleeping Beauty” by company artistic director Anthony Dowell. The troupe also will present an evening of Ravel, to include works by Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan, and a new piece by a choreographer to be announced.

The Nederlands troupes will perform to taped music. The other troupes will be accompanied by the Pacific Symphony.

Subscriptions, on sale May 5, will range from $59 to $432. Single tickets will be available six weeks before each engagement at prices from $18 to $75.

For the fourth year in a row, the series is being underwritten by the Harry and Grace Steele Foundation of Orange County, which this year has given the center $500,000.

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DANCE SEASON

The 1996-97 lineup at the Orange County Performing Arts Center:

* July 27-Aug. 3: Nederlands Dans Theater 1.

* Oct. 2-5: San Francisco Ballet.

* Feb. 11-16: American Ballet Theatre.

* April 3-6, 1997: Mark Morris Dance Group.

* April 18-20: Nederlands Dans Theater 2 & 3.

* May 20-25: Royal Ballet.

* Dec. 24-29: Joffrey Ballet/Chicago.

The Orange County Performing Arts Center is at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Information: (714) 556-2787.