In Quartet, the dancers of Los Angeles Ballet are reveling in two world premieres, as well as dancing two 20th-century masterpieces that only the best dance companies are allowed to perform. Choreographer Sonya Tayeh (from TV's So You Think You Can Dance) returns for her fourth commission for the company, Beneath One's Dignity. The second world premiere is Christopher Stowell's first Los Angeles Ballet commission. A recognized choreographer and former artistic director of the respected Oregon Ballet Theatre, Stowell teamed up with composer Noah Agruss for his ballet Cipher. As for the classics: The choreography of European master Ji?í Kylián has been seen here thanks to Nederlands Dans Theater and American Ballet Theatre, but Kylián severely restricts who can perform his work – especially Return to a Strange Land, a luminous series of pas de deux and trios set to music by Leoš Janá?ek. Kylián's permission is another benchmark of the international reputation that LAB has established under co-artistic directors Thordal Christensen and Colleen Neary. Last season featured the company's inaugural Balanchine Festival, and Quartet's finale returns to Balanchine for the company premiere of his terpsichorean sparkler, Stars and Stripes. Set to John Philip Sousa's exuberant marches, Balanchine's Valentine to his adopted home country invariably leaves the audience cheering. Performing in multiple theaters throughout March, LAB continues its commitment to make ballet a short drive for all of metro L.A. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge; Sat., March 1, 7:30 p.m. Also at Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd.; Sat., March 8, 7:30 p.m. At Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; Sat., March 15, 7:30 p.m. At UCLA Royce Hall, 340 Royce Drive, Wstwd.; Sat., March 22, 7:30 p.m., $30-$95, $24-$76 students, children & seniors. (310) 998-7782, losangelesballet.org.

Sat., March 1, 7:30 p.m., 2014
(Expired: 03/01/14)

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