Highlights

Ballet Arizona opens its 40th season with a full-length production of 'Romeo & Juliet,' set to Prokofiev's score performed live by The Phoenix Symphony at Symphony Hall.

Performances begin Oct. 22, 2026, with a second run Dec. 11–27, 2026, according to the company's season calendar. The production is choreographed by Ib Andersen, who has staged the ballet for the company before.

The 40th season also includes The Nutcracker and a world premiere, making 'Romeo & Juliet' the classical anchor of what the company is billing as a season of timeless works alongside new choreography. The pairing of Ballet Arizona with The Phoenix Symphony in the pit is the production's central draw: Prokofiev's score, written for the Kirov in 1935, is among the most demanding in the repertoire and rarely performed with a full live orchestra at this scale in the Southwest.

What else is in Ballet Arizona's 40th season?

Beyond 'Romeo & Juliet,' the season includes The Nutcracker, running Dec. 11–27, 2026, and at least one world premiere as part of a new choreography initiative. The company has framed the 40th season as a balance between classical repertoire and original work.

Tickets and schedule details are available at balletaz.org.

Sources

Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.

  1. balletaz.org retrieved 23/08/2026 02:09
  2. arizonadigitalfreepress.com retrieved 23/08/2026 02:09
  3. phoenix-theater.com retrieved 23/08/2026 02:09
  4. thebestofthesouthwest.com retrieved 23/08/2026 02:09

Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 23/08/2026 02:09. Every claim traces to a source.