Rapid City, SD – The World Ballet Company will stage its celebrated production of Swan Lake at The Monument on Saturday, Oct. 27, as part of the 2026‑2027 touring season. The performance begins at 7 p.m. and runs for two hours and thirty minutes, including an intermission. Tickets range from $62 to $149.25 and the show is recommended for audiences ages five and up.
Live orchestra adds a new dimension
Unlike many touring ballets that rely on recorded tracks, this stop includes a full live orchestra, allowing audiences to hear Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed in real time. Organizers note that the music’s technical demands and emotional depth require extraordinary precision and stamina, mirroring the complexity of the choreography.
Production highlights
Producer Gulya Hartwick, who co‑founded the company with Sasha Gorskaya, said, “We believe ballet is for everyone, and the response from audiences nationwide has been incredible. Swan Lake is arguably the most iconic ballet ever created.” The production features choreography by Nadezhda Kalinina, based on the original staging by Marius Petipa. More than 150 hand‑sewn costumes, hand‑painted sets and projection visuals bring the classic tale to life.
Gorskaya added, “Our Swan Lake combines the elegance of classical ballet with vivid, immersive storytelling. It’s a magical experience for both ballet newcomers and longtime fans.” The story follows Prince Siegfried and Princess Odette, who is cursed to live as a swan by day. Audiences can expect the famed Dance of the Little Swans and the Black Swan’s 32 fouettés, set to Tchaikovsky’s sweeping music.
Why this matters to Rapid City
Rapid City’s residents gain a rare cultural opportunity when a nationally touring company brings a live‑orchestra ballet to town. The event supports the city’s growing arts scene and provides families with an enriching, affordable evening out. With more than 80 performances scheduled nationwide, the company’s fourth full season underscores its status as the nation’s leading touring ballet troupe, having visited over 180 cities across 40 states.
Tickets can be purchased through the event’s official website. For families seeking a cultural outing that aligns with traditional values of artistic appreciation and community togetherness, this performance offers a memorable experience.
Original reporting: KOTA (Gray) – local — read the source article.
