Toronto, Ontario....Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced principal casting for the Canadian premiere of Balanchine's Don Quixote, staged by Suzanne Farrell.　 Balanchine's Don Quixote runs June 15-24, 2007 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

Ms. Farrell, former Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet and Balanchine's muse, re-staged Balanchine's Don Quixote in a co-production between her company and The National Ballet of Canada in 2005 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.　 It marked the first time that the ballet was seen in 27 years and The New York Times stated that it was "one of the bravest choreographic experiments in recent memory.　 Full of psychological twists and technical rigor, the ballet had nothing remotely old fashioned about it, and revealed a darker, more mystical side of Balanchine....at once timeless and contemporary."

Principal Dancer Heather Ogden, who danced in the premiere in Washington, D.C, in 2005, and at the Edinburgh International Fringe Festival in 2006, will dance the lead role of Dulcinea on opening night, June 15.　 Principal Dancer Xiao Nan Yu and Second Soloist Tanya Howard will also dance the role during the run. Principal Character Artist Hazaros Surmeyan and Second Soloist Kevin D. Bowles will dance the role of Don Quixote.

Often described as the most personal of his works, Balanchine's Don Quixote is a dark and faithful adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes' epic novel written in 1605.　 It is the story of a dying man's spiritual journey in search of his ideal woman.　 Balanchine's Don Quixote stands out in the iconic choreographer's oeuvre as one of only four full-length works he created in his lifetime and is a departure from the majority of his works in the non-narrative, neo-classical style.

Dance Critic Michael Crabb will lead Ballet Talks 45 minutes prior to every performance.

Balanchine's Don Quixote
June 15-24, 2007
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts

Friday, June 15 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 16 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday, June 17 at 2 pm
Wednesday, June 20 at 7:30 pm
Thursday, June 21 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm
Friday, June 22 at 7:30 pm
Saturday, June 23 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, June 24 at 2 pm

Best Availability June 22, 23 and 24.

Discount rates are available for groups of 10 people or more. Rush seats are available on the day of performance in person at the box office for $30. Call to confirm availability.

Principal Casting

Dulcinea

Heather Ogden (June 15 at 7:30 pm/ June 16 at 7:30 pm/
June 20 at 7:30 pm/ June 22 at 7:30 pm)
Xiao Nan Yu (June 16 at 2 pm/ June 17 at 2 pm/ June 21 at 7:30 pm/ June 23 at 7:30 pm)
Tanya Howard (June 21 at 2 pm/ June 24 at 2 pm)

Don Quixote

Hazaros Surmeyan (June 15 at 7:30 pm/ June 16 at 7:30 pm/
June 20 at 7:30 pm/ June 21 at 2 pm/ June 22 at 7:30 pm/
June 24 at 2 pm)
Kevin D. Bowles (June 16 at 2 pm/ June 17 at 2 pm/June 21 at 7:30 pm/ June 23 at 7:30 pm)

Sancho Panza

Piotr Stanczyk (June 15 at 7:30 pm/ June 16 at 7:30 pm/ June 20 at 7:30 pm /June 21 at 2 pm/ June 22 at 7:30 pm)
Christopher Body (June 16 at 2 pm/ June 17 at 2 pm/
June 21 at 7:30 pm/ June 23 at 7:30 pm)

All casting subject to change.

Produced in association with The Suzanne Farrell Ballet Company.

The inaugural season is presented by CTV Bell Globe Media.

Balanchine's Don Quixote is a gift from Roger and Kevin Garland.

Performance Sponsor:　 VIA Rail Canada - June 16

Performance Sponsor:　　TD Waterhouse - June 21

The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the City of Toronto through the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department; The Government of Canada through the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister, the Department of Canadian Heritage, the Government of Ontario　through the Honourable Caroline Di Cocco, Minister of Culture.