Forsythe’s
2026 OPENING NIGHT GALA
JAN 14, 2026
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SF BALLET’S OPENING NIGHT GALA
RITA MORENO
Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan
CHOREOGRAPHER
Sir Frederick Ashton
COMPOSER
Johannes Brahms
Pas de Deux from Don Quixote, Act III
CHOREOGRAPHER
Alexander Gorsky after Marius Petipa
COMPOSER
Ludwig Minkus
STAGING AND ADDITIONAL CHOREOGRAPHY
Helgi Tomasson and Yuri Possokhov
2nd Movement from Glass Pieces
CHOREOGRAPHER
Jerome Robbins
COMPOSER
Philip Glass
Bloom
CHOREOGRAPHER
Justin Peck
COMPOSER
Caroline Shaw
Excerpt from A Garden
CHOREOGRAPHER
Mark Morris
COMPOSER
Richard Strauss after François Couperin
Grand Pas Classique
CHOREOGRAPHER
Victor Gsovsky
COMPOSER
D. F. E. Auber
“Forever” from Blake Works I
CHOREOGRAPHER
William Forsythe
COMPOSER
James Blake
Epilogue Pas de Deux from Deep River
CHOREOGRAPHER
Alonzo King
COMPOSER
Jason Moran
Pas de Deux & Finale from Stars and Stripes
CHOREOGRAPHER
George Balanchine
COMPOSER
John Philip Sousa, arranged by Hershy Kay
*Programming subject to change
Sasha Mukhamedov // © Studio Schuller for San Francisco Ballet
Performance One – 49min
Intermission – 20min
Performance Two – 36min
War Memorial Opera House
Step into an evening of bold inspiration. Curated by Artistic Director Tamara Rojo, this one-night-only program inaugurates San Francisco Ballet’s 2025–2026 Repertory Season with a tribute to the history and traditions of American dance, celebrating icons of our art form.
THE NIGHT DOES NOT END WHEN THE CURTAIN FALLS
Dance the night away at our post-performance After Party set within the grandeur of San Francisco City Hall’s iconic rotunda. Enhance your Opening Night experience by adding this exclusive event to your ticket directly from your cart. Join fellow SF Ballet enthusiasts for an unforgettable evening of music, dancing, and celebration. Immerse yourself in the legendary After Party atmosphere—bursts of bold color, dazzling creativity, top Bay Area DJs, live music, and interactive experiences—all complemented by hand-crafted cocktails, exquisite local wines, and late-night culinary delights by McCalls Catering & Events. Raise a glass to the transformative power of dance and a night of elevated community revelry!
Proceeds from the Opening Night Gala performance and festivities help us create groundbreaking new works, preserve ballet’s timeless masterpieces, and provide scholarships for young artists at SF Ballet School, while also supporting our community education programs, which serve thousands of children, families, and seniors across the Bay Area.
You won’t want to miss this spectacular evening—a festive celebration at the very heart of SF Ballet and the enduring impact of the performing arts in our community.
We are proud to feature the following live entertainment partners during the After Party:
Live Band: Wonder Bread 5
8 PM (After Party* begins immediately after the performance)
*General Admission After Party tickets can be purchased as an “add-on” to the performance ticket.
War Memorial Opera House
After Party Location: San Francisco City Hall
- General Admission After Party Entrance: Dr. Carlton B Goodlett Place (Polk Street)
- VIP After Party Entrance: Van Ness Avenue
Special Offers
season packages
Pick Eugene Onegin and one other program and save up to 20% off the single ticket price* with a CYO Duet package.
*Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
season packages
Pick Eugene Onegin and one other program and save up to 20% off the single ticket price* with a CYO Duet package.
*Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
single tickets
Plan a night to remember with single performance tickets. Limited-time offers available* – including student, senior, and group discounts. Treat yourself to an evening of artistry and elegance.
30% off the following dates:
Saturday January 24 – 8PM
Saturday January 24 – 2PM (MAT)
Sunday January 25 – 8PM
*Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Casting & Credits
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 AT 8:00 pm
2026 OPENING NIGHT GALA PERFORMANCE
Casting & Credits
Wednesday, January 14 AT 8:00 pm
Five Brahms Waltzes in the Manner of Isadora Duncan
Choreographer: Sir Frederick Ashton
Composer: Johannes Brahms
Staged by: Tamara Rojo
Costume Design: David Dean
Lighting Design: John B. Read
Conductor: Martin West
Piano: Britton Day
JASMINE JIMISON
Pas de Deux from Don Quixote, Act III
Choreographer: Alexander Gorsksy after Marius Petipas
Composer: Ludwig Minkus
Staging and Additional Choreography: Helgi Tomasson and Yuri Possokhov
Additional Principal Coaching: Tamara Rojo
Conductor: Martin West
MADELINE WOO and FRANCESCO GABRIELE FROLA
2nd Movement from Glass Pieces
Choreographer: Jerome Robbins
Composer: Phillip Glass
Production Designer: Jerome Robbins and Ronald Bates
Staged by: Betsy Erickson
Costume Design: Ben Benson
Lighting Design: Jennifer Tipton
Faςades
Conductor: Martin West
JASMINE JIMISON and HARRISON JAMES
Sofia Albers, Rebecca Blenkinsop, Maya Chandrashekaran, Anna Chaziroglou, Carlota Cruz, Jacey Gailliard, Aaliyahmarie Key, Katharine Lee, SunMin Lee, Elizabeth Mateer, Rimi Nakano, Pemberley Ann Olson, Kyra Orozco-Davey, Luna Mae Pao, Hui-Wen Peng, Leili Rackow, Amelia Soh, Tyla Steinbach, Juliana Wilder, Juliette Windey
Bloom
Choreographer: Justin Peck
Composer: Caroline Shaw
Staged by: Joseph Walsh
Costume Design: Reid Bartelme and Hariet Jung
Lighting Design: Brandon Stirling Baker
Conductor: Martin West
Violin I: Cordula Merks
Violin II: Ani Bukujian
Viola: Yi Zhou
Cello: Eric Sung
KATHERINE BARKMAN and ESTEBAN HERNÁNDEZ
Excerpt from A Garden
Choreographer: Mark Morris
Composer: Richard Strauss after Franςois Couperin
Staged by: Joanna Berman
Costume Design: Martin Pakledinaz
Lighting Design: Michael Chybowsky
Conductor: Martin West
FRANCES CHUNG and JOSEPH WALSH
Kamryn Baldwin, Carmela Mayo, Julia Rowe, Seojeong Yun, Fernando Carratalá Coloma, Victor Prigent, Myles Thatcher, Mingxuan Wang
Grand Pas Classique
Choreographer: Victor Gsovsky
Composer: D. F.E. Auber
Staged by: Pierre-Françoise Villanoba
Conductor: Martin West
WONA PARK and WEI WANG
“Forever” from Blakeworks I
Choreography and Scenic Design: William Forsythe
Composer: James Blake
Costume Design: Dorothee Merg and William Forsythe
Staged by: Jodie Gates, Felipe Diaz, and Katita Waldo
Original staging (2022): Ayman Harper
SASHA DE SOLA and MAX CAUTHORN
Epilogue Pas de Deux from Deep River
Choreographer: Alonzo King
Composer: Jason Moran
Staged by: Meredith Webster
Costume Design: Robert Rosenwasser
Lighting Design: Jim French
ADJI CISSOKO* and HARRISON JAMES
*Guest Artist courtesy of Alonzo King LINES Ballet
Pas de Deux and Finale from Stars and Stripes
Choreographer: George Balanchine
Composer: John Phillip Sousa, arranged by
Production Designer: Jerome Robbins and Ronald Bates
Staged by: Sandra Jennings
Costume Design: after Karinska
Conductor: Martin West
NIKISHA FOGO and CAVAN CONLEY
First Regiment
ISABELLA DEVIVO
Julieta Castro, Anna Chaziroglou, Carlota Cruz, Aaliyahmarie Key, Katharine Lee, SunMin Lee, Rimi Nakano, Kyra Orozco-Davey, Hui-Wen Peng, Tyla Steinbach, Nicole Kosasih Widjaja, Juliette Windey
Second Reginment
SASHA MUKHAMEDOV
Sofia Albers, Rebecca Blenkinsop, Maya Chandrashekaran, Jacey Gailliard, Carly Graham, Erin Jung, Elizabeth Mateer, Pemberley Ann Olson, Luna Mae Pao, Amelia Soh, Anatalia St. Clair, Juliana Wilder
Mens’ Regiment
LUCA FERRÒ
Rubén Cítores Nieto, Benjamin Davidoff, Jakub Groot, Lleyton Ho, Lucas López, Davide Occhipinti, Dylan Pierzina, Simone Pompignoli, Jasper True Stanford, Benjamin Taber, Alexis Francisco Valdes, Adrian Zeisel
*Casting is subject to change.
SUPPORT FOR San Francisco Ballet PROUDLY PROVIDED BY
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