PRESS RELEASE

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) January 13, 2026—San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet) today announced details for the world premiere of Choreographer-in-Residence Yuri Possokhov’s Eugene Onegin, co-commissioned with The Joffrey Ballet. Onstage at the War Memorial Opera House from January 23 to February 1, this new ballet reimagines Alexander Pushkin’s literary masterpiece as a sweeping, emotionally charged stage production to open SF Ballet’s 2026 repertory season. Bringing together two of the country’s leading dance institutions and an international creative team, Eugene Onegin unites artistic excellence and legacy to tell a timeless and deeply resonant story. 

Eugene Onegin unfolds through intimate pas de deux, vibrant ensemble sequences, and grand ballroom scenes. Possokhov’s choreography blends classical elegance with dramatic intensity—the changing seasons serve as a powerful narrative thread, mirroring the main characters’ emotional evolution from youthful innocence and longing to regret, loss, and striking self-awareness. 

“Onegin is a compelling character for modern audiences to connect with,” said Artistic Director Tamara Rojo. “He cares deeply about appearances, and we currently live in a world that often similarly relies on social media for validation. He prioritizes image over true meaning or inward reflection. It’s a dangerous path to follow, and in Yuri Possokhov’s visionary interpretation, he confronts the consequences of those choices head-on.” 

“If you look at the most praiseworthy novels ever written, Eugene Onegin stands among the greats,” said Ashley Wheater MBE, The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet. “Its exploration of humanity, identity, and the complexity of relationships makes it a truly universal story. We are thrilled to partner with San Francisco Ballet on the creation of this production and to bring this timeless narrative to life through a shared artistic vision.” 

Eugene Onegin features costumes by Academy Award-winner Tim Yip. Period designs that remain faithful to the novel’s 19th-century setting, adapted specifically for movement, bring aristocratic society to life while enhancing both spectacle and storytelling on stage. Additional set design by Olivier Award-nominated Tom Pye elevates the theatrical impact with dynamic, immersive environments, complemented by Jim French’s lighting design and projections by Finn Ross, to showcase Possokhov’s choreography. 

The production also features a newly commissioned score by composer Ilya Demutsky, a Gold Mask Award-winner and Fulbright Scholar who received part of his training and education at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. His original composition pulses with romantic undertones and psychological nuance, underscoring both the grandeur of this society and the characters’ inner turmoil. 

“Ilya is one of the most talented composers I have worked with and the perfect choice for this new score,” said Shelby and Frederick Gans Music Director & Principal Conductor Martin West. “I admire Yuri’s commitment to creating works with new music, which is still relatively rare among choreographers. Developing new scores for ballet works is vital to the future of the art form.” 

Principal casting for Eugene Onegin includes Principal Dancers Max Cauthorn, Cavan Conley, Francesco Gabriele Frola, and Joseph Walsh as the title character; Principal Dancers Sasha De Sola, Nikisha Fogo, Jasmine Jimison and First Soloist Katherine Barkman as Tatiana Larina; Principal Dancers Wona Park and Madeline Woo and Soloists Isabella DeVivo and Carmela Mayo as Olga Larina; and Principal Dancers Esteban Hernández, Wei Wang, Soloist Victor Prigent, and Demi Soloist Simone Pompignoli as Vladimir Lensky. Additional casting details are available on our website. 

Tickets  
Eugene Onegin is onstage at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco from January 23 to February 1. Tickets may be purchased online at sfballet.org or by calling Ticket Services at 415-865-2000, open Monday through Friday, 10am to 4pm. Casting and prices are subject to change.  

Run Time  
Act I & II – 1 hour and 7 minutes 
Intermission – 20 minutes 
Act III & IV – 52 minutes 

Total runtime: 2 hours and 19 minutes 

Production Credits  
Eugene Onegin (World Premiere) 
Choreographer: Yuri Possokhov 
Music: Ilya Demutsky 
Libretto: Valeriy Pecheykin 
Based on the novel by: Alexander Pushkin 
Scenic Designer: Tom Pye 
Costume Designer: Tim Yip 
Lighting Designer: Jim French 
Projection Designer: Finn Ross 
Assistants to the Choreographer: Frances Chung and Adam Blyde 
Drama Coach: Javier Galitó-Cava 
Project Management: Donna Bachman 

World Premiere: January 23, 2026–San Francisco Ballet, War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California 

This production of Eugene Onegin is a co-production of San Francisco Ballet and The Joffrey Ballet 

Music: Original composition commissioned by San Francisco Ballet and The Joffrey Ballet. Assistant Lighting Designer: Erin Earle Fleming. Property Supervisor: Lily Mollgaard. Fight Director: Martino Pistone. Scenic construction and painting by Bay Productions Limited. Additional scenic construction and painting by San Francisco Ballet Scene Shop. Costumes constructed by The Joffrey Ballet Costume Shop. 

Contact  
Public Relations, San Francisco Ballet  
press@sfballet.org  
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About San Francisco Ballet  
San Francisco Ballet, led by Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, is a world-leading ballet company and a trailblazing commissioner, collaborator, and presenter in dance. With a deep commitment to new and contemporary works and the classical repertoire, SF Ballet is a catalyst for the future of ballet, investing in commissions and acquisitions; presenting established and emerging choreographers with a breadth of viewpoints; uplifting dancers, artists, and creatives across disciplines; and cultivating the next generation of the world’s top dancers in its School.