Miami's new Tharp/Costello ballet now has a name

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The new Twyla Tharp ballet (set to an original score by Elvis Costello) will be called Nightspot. It premieres in Miami on March 28, 2008.

From the MCB website:

NIGHTSPOT

Choreography by Tharp

Music by Costello

This new work -- Miami City Ballet's first major commission -- involves two of the most celebrated artists of our time.

Twyla Tharp, one of the world's greatest choreographers, has created some of the most memorable and innovative dances in modern repertory, including Nine Sinatra Songs, Deuce Coupe, Push Comes to Shove, and In the Upper Room. She has also worked extensively on Broadway and in Hollywood, choreographing and directing the Tony Award-winning dance musical Movin' Out, set to the music of Billy Joel, and creating the choreography for the movies Hair and Amadeus, among others. This commission is Ms. Tharp's first major new work for a ballet company in five years.

For it, she has joined forces with Elvis Costello, who is providing an original musical composition. Mr. Costello's musical curiosity is expansive: besides rock and roll, it ranges from classical to jazz to country. His musical interests have led him into acclaimed collaborations with Burt Bacharach, The Brodsky Quartet, Paul McCartney, mezzo-soprano Sofie von Otter, and Allen Toussaint, among others.

Ms. Tharp is creating her ballet on 18 MCB dancers, and Mr. Costello's composition, which features new music intertwined with various motifs and quotations from existing songs, is being written for a nine-piece band on stage as well as a 32-piece orchestra in the pit.

Given their far-reaching imaginations and their spirit or artistic daring, Twyla Tharp and Elvis Costello seem like a natural -- and perfect -- collaboration. In addition, famed fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi will create the cosumes for the piece!

The Company feels privileged to be the first to present this major new work, titled NIGHTSPOT, to the American public.

Opening Night, March 28, 2008, Miami City Ballet will host a World Premiere Celebration at Carnival Center for the Performing Arts. The party will be an exciting evening of dining, dancing, dazzling decor, glamorous attire, live and disco music, and of course some surprises. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Don't miss this spectacular event. For information about the World Premiere Celebration, please call (305) 929-7000 x1444.

Commission and premiere made possible by the generous support of Wallis Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation.