PAUL IN THE OCEAN'S KINGDOM

Ocean’s Kingdom – Tickets On-Sale
Ocean’s Kingdom ballet tickets go on sale today exclusively to American Express card holders. Tickets are available to purchase by all credit card holders on 15th August.

Buy tickets from: www.nycballet.com/AXPOK

The new ballet, which will premiere at NYCB’s Fall Gala performance on Thursday 22nd September 2011, will mark the first time that Paul has written an original orchestral score for dance.

Paul said: “I am always interested in new directions that I haven’t worked in before. So I became very excited about the idea. When I got back to England after meeting Peter I started writing music and am now in the very final stages of the orchestral score.” He continued, “What was interesting was writing music that meant something expressively rather than just writing a song. Trying to write something that expressed an emotion, so you have fear, love, anger, sadness to play with and I found that exciting and challenging.”

Peter Martins said that he and Paul met at the School of American Ballet’s Winter Gala in 2010 and shortly thereafter began discussing the possibility of working together on a ballet.
“Like the rest of my generation, I grew up being a huge fan of The Beatles so I was thrilled to meet him,” said Martins. “After I got to know him a bit, and knowing of his great love of composing classical music, I asked if he might be interested in doing something for New York City Ballet, and I am ecstatic that he has agreed to write a score for us.”

Details on the production design for the new work will be announced at a later date.

The 22nd September Fall Gala performance will also include George Balanchine’s Union Jack, the extravagant tribute to Britain that features nearly all of NYCB’s dancers. “We are so honored to have Paul working with us that I thought we would pay tribute to this extraordinary man by performing Union Jack on the same program.” said Martins.

Following the World Premiere performance, NYCB will give additional performances of the new McCartney/Martins ballet during the 201l/2012 season. The full schedule of performances will be announced a later date.

Music	by Sir Paul McCartney
Libretto	by Sir Paul McCartney
Choreography	Peter Martins
Premiere	September 22, 2011, David H. Koch Theater
	Please Note:  From Monday, August 8 at 10 AM through Monday, August 15 at 9:59 AM, performances of Ocean's Kingdom, and any cart that includes performances of Ocean's Kingdom, must be purchased using an American Express card only. On Monday, August 15 at 10 AM, Ocean's Kingdom will be available for purchase with all other accepted forms of credit card payment. NYCB brings together the legendary Sir Paul McCartney and Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins for a hallmark collaboration. Ocean’s Kingdom marks the first time that McCartney has composed for dance, and Martins’ choreography will follow the music’s libretto of a romance between lovers from conflicting kingdoms. With costumes designed by another McCartney, renowned fashion designer Stella and projections by S. Katy Tucker with lighting designs by Mark Stanley.  Copyright © 1998 - 2011 New York City Ballet