Festival Ballet Albuquerque: Billy the Kid & Other Tall Tales

April 19 - April 20, 2024

Friday, April 19 at 7:00 pm

Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm

Festival Ballet Albuquerque presents an original production of Billy the Kid, a ballet telling the story of Billy from childhood until his death at age 22, true to historical accuracy as anyone knows. The ballet has an ensemble of cowboys, townspeople, dance hall girls, and the important people in Billy’s life, including his beloved Mother, John Tunstall, J.J. Dolan, love interest Maria, and of course, Sheriff Pat Garrett.

The evening begins with the music of the Mystic Vic Blues Bandplaying live onstage with the FBA professional dancers in Blue Jean Blues choreographed by Patricia Dickinson Wells. A new children’s ballet, Southwest FolkTails is based on families of New Mexican “critters” sporting tails with character costumes expertly designed and constructed by master craftsman, Joe Moncada. Imagine hummingbirds, quails, coyotes, snakes, and roosters!

The evening ends with the classical 18th century ballet, Giselle (in One Act) complete with village scenes, beautiful costumes, and scenery. The epic ballet premiered in 1841, but most of the versions today are based on the revivals by choreographer Marius Petipa in the early 20th century. Set to music by composer Adolphe Adam, the epic story follows the tragically short life of Giselle through love, heartache, death, and the after-death where she is summoned from her grave by the vengeful, deadly sisterhood of the Willis who are unmarried women who died after being betrayed by their lover. Giselle’s great love for her betrayer, Albrecht, saves him from sure death by the Willis, and thus saves herself from becoming one of them.

Come a half hour early before showtime to enjoy a pre-concert performance by Mystic Vic Blues Band!

$14, $20, $29, $39 & $49 w/ a $2 discount for seniors and children 10 years old and younger.