Copland Dance Episodes at Joan Sutherland Theatre

Justin Peck is one of the most important choreographers working today. Appointed to lead the New York City Ballet at just 26, he’s since won three Tony Awards for his work on Carousel, Illinoise and Buena Vista Social Club (with his wife, the dancer Patricia Delgado) and led the choreography for Steven Spielberg’s acclaimed remake of West Side Story.

Peck’s Copland Dance Episodes, which premiered in 2023, is a joyous modern ballet set to four scores by the preeminent 20th-century composer Aaron Copland, known for his sparse, cinematic compositions that evoke Americana with titles like Billy the Kid and Appalachian Spring. Opera Australia Orchestra will perform the scores live.

Copland Dance Episodes features 30 dancers in simple, skin-tight, colour-blocked costumes that literally highlight every elegant step, leap and twirl. The lighting and set are similarly minimalist, making this a pure expression of dance. Unfolding over 22 episodes, it’s a joyous, high-energy work from one of the most accomplished choreographers on the planet.