Festival Ballet Theatre Launches 2016-17 Season with “Secret Garden” at the Irvine Barclay Theatre

Fountain Valley, Calif., Sept. 9, 2016 – Festival Ballet Theatre (FBT), Orange County’s resident professional ballet company, will introduce its 2016-17 season with the contemporary, full-length ballet Secret Garden on October 15 & 16 at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in Irvine.

Secret Garden, centered on the restoration of a neglected garden as a metaphor for the revival of the spirit, is a story of loss, rejuvenation, resilience, and kindness. Inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic novel, Secret Garden is brought to life through a colorful fusion of cutting-edge choreography by Josie Walsh, an original cinematic score by Paul Rivera, Jr., and a stunning multimedia scenic design by David Bazemore.

FBT founder and artistic director Salwa Rizkalla commented, “We are presenting this production to launch a season offering a versatile program of classical and contemporary repertoire. The dramatic choreography of Los Angeles native Josie Walsh in Secret Garden injects a modern element into the season and demonstrates the considerable talents of our company dancers.”

Festival Ballet Theatre’s newest season will also include the perennial family holiday favorite, The Nutcracker, the charming classic Don Quixote, and the ten-year celebration of Gala of the Stars, bringing top international ballet luminaries to the Barclay for one magnificent showcase performance. www.festivalballet.org

Season Subscriptions and Single Tickets

Special discount for Festival Ballet 2106-17 Season subscribers. Tickets are on sale now. For information, visit thebarclay.org or call 949.854.4646 x1.

For Calendar Section

What: Secret Garden

When: Saturday, October 15 at 7:00pm and Sunday, October 16 at 2:00pm

Where: Performances by Festival Ballet Theatre will take place at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in Irvine, California located at 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine

Tickets: $39-$45

Information is available at www.festivalballet.org or by calling 949.854.4646 x1.

About Festival Ballet Theatre (FBT)

Festival Ballet Theatre is a nonprofit organization founded in 1988 by Salwa Rizkalla. Its mission is to enrich Orange County’s artistic and economic vitality, to inspire love and appreciation for dance, and to invigorate ballet by:

• Presenting a season of exhilarating classical and contemporary performances,
• Providing a nurturing environment for dancers and choreographers,
• Offering stimulating educational outreach programs.

www.festivalballet.org