PRESS RELEASE

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA) March 9, 2026—San Francisco Ballet (SF Ballet) today announced details for Don Quixote at the War Memorial Opera House, onstage March 19–29. Building on the foundational works of Marius Petipa (1869) and Alexander Gorsky (1900), this production was boldly reimagined for SF Ballet in 2003 by previous Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson and Choreographer-in-Residence Yuri Possokhov to mark the original ballet’s 150th anniversary. Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel, Don Quixote is a rare comedy in the classical repertory, last seen by San Francisco audiences during SF Ballet’s 2022 Season. Don Quixote infuses Spanish culture into classical ballet, weaving guitars and castañuelas into the orchestral music and the passion and precision of Flamenco into the choreography. This ballet also includes some of the most technically demanding moments in the classical canon: the Act III pas de deux between lovers Kitri and Basilio, as well as the legendary “Kitri jump,” a kick that propels the dancer’s foot toward her head.

With 152 roles across four casts, Don Quixote commands the full scale of the Opera House stage and speaks to audiences of every age. The production is brought to life through vivid scenic and costume designs by Tony Award-winning designer Martin Pakledinaz and lively music by composer Ludwig Minkus.

Principal casting for Don Quixote includes Principal Dancers Sasha De Sola, Nikisha Fogo, Wona Park, Madeline Woo, and First Soloist Katherine Barkman as Kitri, and Principal Dancers Cavan Conley, Gabriele Francesco Frola, Esteban Hernández, Wei Wang, and First Soloist Joshua Jack Price as Basilio.

All evening performances will include an immersive activation in the Opera House lobby with live flamenco by Theatre Flamenco of San Francisco, featuring dancer and Artistic Director of Theatre Flamenco Carola Zertuche, guitarist Jesse Torres, and singer Clara Rodriguez. The opening night activation begins immediately following the performance, and all subsequent evening lobby activations begin pre-show, 30 minutes prior to curtain.

Tickets
Don Quixote is onstage at the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco from March 19–29. 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.

Meet the Artist Interviews
Join SF Ballet before select performances of Don Quixote for an informative talk featuring artists in conversation with a moderator. Interviews are 25 minutes long, and a performance ticket for the chosen date is required to enter the Opera House. Artists and schedule are subject to change.

Friday, March 20 at 7:05pm
Sunday, March 22 at 1:05pm
Friday, March 27 at 7:05pm
Sunday, March 29 at 1:05pm

Run Time
Act I – 47 minutes
Intermission – 20 minutes
Act II – 46 minutes
Intermission – 15 minutes
Act III – 26 minutes

Total run time: 2 hours, 34 minutes

Production Credits
Choreographer: Alexander Gorsky and Marius Petipa
Composer: Ludwig Minkus

Staging and Additional Choreography: Helgi Tomasson and Yuri Possokhov
Additional Principal Coaching: Tamara Rojo and Loipa Araújo
Additional Staging: Anita Paciotti
Scenic and Costume Design: Martin Pakledinaz
Lighting Design: James F. Ingalls
Associate Scenic Design: Arnulfo Maldonado
Associate Costume Design: Heather Lockard
Author of Don Quixote: Miguel de Cervantes

World Premiere (Original Petipa production): December 26, 1869—Imperial Ballet, Bolshoi Theatre; Moscow, Russia

World Premiere (Gorsky production) December 6, 1900—Imperial Ballet, Bolshoi Theatre; Moscow, Russia

World Premiere (Tomasson/Possokhov staging): March 14, 2003—San Francisco Ballet, War Memorial Opera House; San Francisco, California

Music: Don Quixote by Ludwig Minkus. Additional music: Act I, Overture: Galop from La Source Act I by L. Delibes, with introduction by Patrick Flynn. No. 17; “Basilio’s Variation” is “Ole de la Curra” by A. S. Arista, orchestrated by Patrick Flynn. Act ll, No. 21a, additional material in opening ensemble by Patrick Flynn; No. 23, “Kitri & Basilio” is “Three Spanish Women” by V.P. Soloviev-Sedoi; No. 30, Queen of the Driads Variation; “Souvenir du Bal” by A. Simon; No. 31, “Cupid’s Variation” from Paquita by L. Minkus; No. 32, “Kitri’s Variation” by R. Drigo. Act III, No. 48, “Fandango” by Eduard Napravnik; No. 51, Finale: Galop from La Source Act I by L. Delibes, with introduction by Patrick Flynn. Assistant Costume Designer: Shawn McCulloch; Assistant Interns to Martin Pakledinaz: Hannah Kittel, Guilia Cauti, Laura Ortiz. Costumes constructed by: Carelli Costumes Inc. New York, NY; Krostyne Studio Pittsburgh, PA; Parsons-Meares Ltd., New York, NY; Tricorne Inc. New York, NY; Driad tutus by Yoshi Terashima London, England; Masks, Millinery and Head Dressing by Carelli Costumes Inc. New York, NY; Karen Eifert New York, NY, Rodney Gordon New York, NY; Arnold S. Levine, Inc. Theatrical Millinery and Crafts New York, NY; Lynne Mackey Studio New York, NY; Don Quixote armor by Costume Armour New York, NY, Painting and distressing by Jeff Fender Studio Inc. Brooklyn, NY; Fabric dyeing by Eric Winterling Inc. New York, NY; Kimtex Fabric Services New York, NY; Lisa Sacaris Houston, TX; Jewelry by Franklin Labovitz Washington, D.C.; Boots by Hiatt Dance Boots Salt Lake City, UT; Pluma Portland, OR; Scenic construction and painting by San Francisco Ballet Carpentry and Scenic Departments. Horses courtesy of Prince Horse Rental.

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.

Contact
Public Relations, San Francisco Ballet
press@sfballet.org
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