HCS presents Stars of American Ballet

Stars of American Ballet will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center, presented by the Hawaii Concert Society.

The six-dancer ensemble is comprised of principal and soloist dancers from major American dance companies, hand-picked and directed by New York City Ballet Principal Dancer Daniel Ulbricht.

The Hilo performance will begin with “Tarantella,” a manic six-minute masterpiece by Louis Moreau Gottschalk, choreographed by the incomparable George Balanchine, danced by Ulbricht and Ashly Isaacs.

“It’s based on a myth that when you were bitten by a spider – in this case, a tarantula — you were to dance the poison out of your body,” said Ulbricht. “The dancers actually look like they’re trying to dance for their lives.”

The program contains three dances from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake,” including Balanchine’s choreography to the famous White Swan and Black Swan pas de deux.

Ulbricht will also dance solo to tango music by Astor Piazzolla.

“It’s a chance to disengage from classical dance,” he said. “With all its changing rhythms, it’s a personal favorite.”

The evening will end with “Who Cares?” This popular 1970 ballet features music by Gershwin classics from the 1920s and 1930s, including “Embraceable You,” “The Man I Love,” “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise” and “I Got Rhythm.”

Tickets are $30 general, $25 seniors 60+, and $12 student, available at the Most Irresistible Shop, the UHHPAC box office, Music Exchange, and East Hawaii Cultural Center. Any remaining tickets will be available Wednesday starting at 6:45 p.m. at the box office. Seating is first come, first served.

One or more of the dancers will give a master class for local dance students at 4:30 pm. on today at Pier Sircello’s Center Stage Studio 1133 Manono St. A $5 donation is requested.