World Ballet Company is announcing the return of its production of Swan Lake, one of the most beloved and iconic ballets of all time, on tour for the second half of the 2025-2026 season. The company brings its signature blend of classical artistry and Broadway-style theatrical flair to the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on April 4.
This particular production of Swan Lake will feature a live orchestra performance, offering audiences the rare chance to experience Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed in real time. Far more than background music, the score is a masterwork in its own right: rich, technically demanding, and emotionally charged. Its live performance requires extraordinary precision and stamina, paralleling the complexity of the choreography onstage. Together, the dancers and musicians create a fully immersive experience where movement and music are in perfect, breathtaking harmony.
“We believe ballet is for everyone, and the response from audiences nationwide has been incredible,” said producer Gulya Hartwick, who co-founded World Ballet Company with Sasha Gorskaya. “Swan Lake is arguably the most iconic ballet ever created, and we’re thrilled to bring this majestic production to your town.”
This production features choreography by Nadezhda Kalinina, based on the original staging by Marius Petipa, as well as over 150 hand-sewn costumes, richly detailed, hand-painted sets created using centuries-old theatrical techniques, and stunning projection and multi-media visuals.
“Our Swan Lake combines the elegance of classical ballet with vivid, immersive storytelling,” said Gorskaya. “It’s a magical experience for both ballet newcomers and longtime fans.”
A timeless tale of love, betrayal, and transformation, Swan Lake follows Prince Siegfried as he encounters Odette, a princess doomed to live as a swan by day under the spell of a sorcerer. Though Prince Siegfried pledges his love and vows to break the curse, he is deceived by the sorcerer’s daughter, Odile — the dazzling and mysterious Black Swan — leading to heartbreak and tragedy. With its unforgettable imagery, including the iconic Dance of the Little Swans and the spellbinding 32 fouettés of the Black Swan, all set to Tchaikovsky’s sweeping score, Swan Lake endures as one of the most technically demanding and emotionally resonant ballets of all time.
PERFORMANCE DETAILS:
- Date: April 4, 2026
- Showtime: 7:00 pm
- Venue: North Charleston PAC, 5001 Coliseum Drive | North Charleston, South Carolina 29418
- Tickets: $56.12 - $148.84 | On sale now at worldballetcompany.com/
northcharleston - Run Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (including 20-minute intermission)
- Recommended for: Ages 5 and up