World-Renowned Dancer Performs for First Time in US Since 2018

March 15, 2024 – Sarasota

The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School is thrilled to present world-renowned dancer and living legend Carlos Acosta’s performance of On Before, an intimate piece made for two dancers choreographed by Carlos Acosta in 2010 as a tribute to his mother after her death. It will be his first time performing in the US since 2018, premiering only in Sarasota for his US tour dates on Saturday, April 19-20, 2024, at 7:30 pm. The two performances will be held at the Sarasota Opera House in downtown Sarasota.

On Before is an intimate contemporary ballet made for two dancers. Acosta will dance with Laura Rodriguez from Acosta Danza, the company he founded in Havana. It is his most personal work to date. This performance showcases the highest caliber and mastery of a craft one can aspire to in dance, and the opportunity to witness this dancer’s greatness live is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“It’s a very abstract and contemporary ballet that represents at once the mother, the lover, the full circle. My mother was the balance in my house to my father’s volatility. She was very soft and caring, very sweet, almost like a kid. I made this show to pay her homage,” says Carlos Acosta, CBE.

The performance features choreography by world-renowned artists, including Russell Maliphant, Kim Brandstrup, and Will Tuckett, alongside Acosta’s choreography.

Carlos Acosta’s artistry defined a generation and paved the way for future generations of dancers. He is an internationally recognized and beloved figure who has influenced the dance community and pop culture monumentally.

“As the curtain falls on ‘Carlos Acosta: On Before’, audiences are left to reflect on the enduring power of dance to convey the deepest of human emotions. Acosta’s performance is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and ‘On Before’ stands as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of art in navigating the complexities of love, loss, and legacy,” writes Olalekan Adigun of BNN News in his review, “Carlos Acosta Triumphs in ‘On Before‘ at Theatre Royal Plymouth: A Dance Spectacle of Love and Loss.”

Event Details:

Date and Time: April 19-20, 2024, at 7:30 pm

Venue: Sarasota Opera House

Ticket Information: Tickets for Carlos Acosta On Before can be purchased online at the Sarasota Opera House’s website, https://tickets.sarasotaopera.org/6674/6679, or by calling the box office at (941) 328-1300.