Colorado Ballet Announces 2026-2027 Season Season Includes Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, The Wizard of Oz, and MasterWorks
DENVER, CO (February 20, 2026)—Colorado Ballet Artistic Director Gil Boggs announced the 2026-2027 Season at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. For its 66th season, the company will present five productions with music performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra—Don Quixote, The Nutcracker (Presented by PNC Bank), Romeo and Juliet (Colorado premiere), The Wizard of Oz and MasterWorks, the ballet’s annual repertory production.
“Our 2026–2027 season is truly a passport to adventure—an invitation to travel to other times and magical worlds without ever leaving your seat,” said Artistic Director Gil Boggs. “Each ballet is its own destination, from the vibrant streets of Spain in Don Quixote and the romance of Renaissance Italy in Romeo and Juliet, to the magical journeys of The Nutcracker and The Wizard of Oz, to the exhilarating artistry showcased in MasterWorks.”
“Next season’s ballets reflect the remarkable depth and versatility of our company, ranging from classical to contemporary and from magical to romantic,” said Executive Director Sameed Afghani. “We’re also thrilled to share that this summer the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, our home theatre in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, will receive brand-new seating, enhancing comfort and elevating the audience experience for many seasons to come.”
Don Quixote
October 2-11, 2026
Step into the sun-drenched world of Spain. The characters of Cervantes’ beloved novel come to life in this ballet by legendary choreographer Marius Petipa. Follow the adventures of Don Quixote and the passionate love story of Kitri and Basilio amid a spectacular cast of toreadors, fandango dancers, and gypsies. Full of humor, this romantic comedy is one of the most entertaining ballets in the classical canon. Infused with traditional Spanish folk dance, the choreography showcases the Company’s sparkling technique, athleticism, and virtuoso dancing. Ludwig Minkus’s blazingly energetic score pulses with Spanish-themed melodies, performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.
The Nutcracker
November 28-December 27, 2026
A cherished holiday tradition for more than 65 years! Based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s timeless story, The Nutcracker follows Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on an enchanted journey into the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Brimming with mischievous mice, twirling snowflakes, and dances from many lands, the ballet features Tchaikovsky’s beloved score performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra. Presented by PNC Bank.
Romeo and Juliet
January 29-February 7, 2027
Travel to Renaissance Italy for Shakespeare’s immortal tale of two lovers. The Colorado Ballet presents the Colorado premiere of John Cranko’s grandly theatrical Romeo and Juliet—one of the definitive versions of this timeless story, performed by companies around the world. Cranko’s richly drawn characters and breathtaking choreography bring the tragedy to magnificent life. From the thrillingly passionate pas de deux of Romeo and Juliet to the colorful ensemble scenes of bustling Verona to the daring sword fights of Mercutio and Tybalt— the ballet captures the ecstasy of young love and the high-octane danger of feuding families. Sergei Prokofiev’s sublime and bombastic score will be performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.
The Wizard of Oz
March 5-14, 2027
Follow the yellow brick road! Colorado Ballet brings L. Frank Baum’s beloved classic to life. Journey with Dorothy and Toto as they befriend Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Lion, confront the Wicked Witch, and discover the true meaning of home. Internationally acclaimed choreographer Septime Webre—creator of ALICE (in wonderland)—blends classical and contemporary ballet with vibrant storytelling. This family-friendly performance dazzles with flying effects, 42 enchanting puppets (including Toto!), stunning sets and costumes, and breathtaking special effects. Matthew Pierce’s vibrant, genre-blending original score will be performed live by the Colorado Ballet Orchestra.
MasterWorks
April 9-18, 2027
Triple the thrill! Colorado Ballet’s annual repertory production, MasterWorks features a captivating trio of masterpieces that showcase the dancers’ artistic excellence and versatility. With music as dynamic and compelling as the choreography, this program offers a rich array of styles, giving audiences a rare chance to experience classical and contemporary dance on the same program.
This year’s program features a work by Jiří Kylián, one of the world’s greatest contemporary dance choreographers. His Sinfonietta bursts with vitality, pairing composer Leo Janáček’s exuberant, brass-driven score with choreography that celebrates the sheer joy of living. The Colorado Ballet Orchestra will perform live.
Tickets
Season subscriptions for Colorado Ballet's 2026-2027 Season are available now to purchase or renew. Subscribers enjoy exclusive perks all season long, including 25% savings on tickets, early access to The Nutcracker and Fancy Footwork, and priority seating before the public. Subscribers also receive free exchanges, flexible payment plans, price protection, and the convenience of personalized service from our Patron Services team.
Visit us online at https://tickets.coloradoballet.org/packages. Patrons can also contact the Colorado Ballet’s Patron Services team via email at tickets@coloradoballet.org or over the phone at (303) 339-1637. Hours are Monday–Friday from 10am-4pm.
Single tickets for the 2026-2027 Season will go on sale July 1, 2026. Visit our website at coloradoballet.org and follow us on social media to remain up-to-date on all Colorado Ballet’s latest announcements, events, media, and more.
About Colorado Ballet
Presenting exceptional classical ballet and innovative contemporary dance through performances, training, education and community engagement, Colorado Ballet continues to inspire and grow an increasingly diverse audience base in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1961 by Lillian Covillo and Freidann Parker, Colorado Ballet is a non-profit organization celebrating 66 years of excellence. As a world-class professional company serving more than 100,000 national and international patrons, Colorado Ballet presents 58 performances annually to sold-out audiences in the 2,000-seat Ellie Caulkins Opera House. The Company’s 40 professional dancers and 20 studio company dancers come from all over the world. Colorado Ballet’s The Armstrong Center for Dance, a 35,000-square-foot building, boasts eight state-of-the-art professional dance studios and amenities for the professional Company.
Under the direction of Artistic Director Gil Boggs, Colorado Ballet performs classical ballet masterpieces, full-length story ballets, and its critically acclaimed repertory production MasterWorks, featuring varied works from neoclassical ballets to world premieres. The Raydean Acevedo Colorado Ballet Academy serves more than 1,200 students from toddlers to seniors each year. Colorado Ballet’s Education & Community Engagement offers programs to students and community members, making more than 25,000 contacts and reaching over 200 schools and organizations annually. Participants come from a variety of backgrounds and socioeconomic statuses including youth, families, teachers, and people with and without disabilities. For more information, please visit coloradoballet.org.
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