The centerpiece of the season's final program will be Ershter Vals, created for the company by award-winning choreographer Ma Cong. The work was selected by the Kennedy Center for performance in Ballet Across America III series, designed to showcase the spectacular vitality of American ballet. Inspired by Hollywood's World War II films and the sounds of Klezmer music, Ershter Vals' poignant imagery of dance in the Jewish ghetto celebrates the triumph of the human spirit. This program also brings the return of a frequent company collaborator, New York choreographer William Soleau, whose newest work created for Richmond Ballet is whimsically and appropriately titled Chasing Cello. In this innovative neo-classic ballet, dancers interact with shadows, moving walls, and a cellist performing onstage.

Performances:

Thursday, May 9th, 2013, 6:30pm

Friday, May 10th, 2013, 6:30pm

Saturday, May 11th, 2013, 6:30pm

Sunday, May 12th, 2013, 2:00pm

Wednesday, May 15th, 2013, 6:30pm

Thursday, May 16th, 2013, 6:30pm

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 6:30pm

Saturday, May 18th, 2013, 6:30pm

Sunday, May 19th, 2013, 4:00pm