Greer's OC

World Ballet Company returns to Southern California with its acclaimed production of “Swan Lake,” bringing the classic ballet to Irvine Barclay Theatre in Irvine on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25 as part of its 2025-2026 national tour. The performances are among more than 80 stops scheduled for the second half of the season as the company continues to take one of ballet’s most enduring works to stages across the country.

This production features a live orchestra, offering local audiences the chance to experience Tchaikovsky’s iconic score performed in real time. More than accompaniment, the music is a central force in the storytelling, with sweeping themes and emotional depth that mirror the intensity of the choreography. The live performance adds an immersive layer to the evening, as dancers and musicians work in sync to bring the ballet’s drama and romance to life.

Now in its fourth full season, World Ballet Company has quickly established itself as one of the nation’s leading touring ballet companies. The company is dedicated to making ballet accessible to audiences in communities large and small, presenting reimagined classics in more than 180 cities each year across over 40 states. Its productions are known for cinematic staging, original choreography and a global roster of professional dancers.

“Swan Lake” features choreography by Nadezhda Kalinina, based on the original staging by Marius Petipa. The production includes more than 150 hand-sewn costumes, richly detailed, hand-painted sets created using traditional theatrical techniques, along with projection and multimedia visuals that enhance the storytelling.

A timeless tale of love, betrayal and transformation, “Swan Lake” follows Prince Siegfried and Odette, a princess cursed to live as a swan by day under the spell of a sorcerer. Deceived by the sorcerer’s daughter, Odile, the mysterious Black Swan, the prince’s promise of love leads to heartbreak and tragedy. With iconic moments such as the Dance of the Little Swans and the Black Swan’s famed 32 fouettés set to Tchaikovsky’s sweeping score, the ballet remains one of the most technically demanding and emotionally resonant works in the classical repertoire.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS: Date: February 24 and 25, 2026 Showtime: 7 p.m. Run Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (including 20-minute intermission) Recommended for: Ages 5 and up

Venue: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr, Irvine, CA 92612 Tickets: $91.00 - $146.00 dollars | On sale now at worldballetcompany.com/irvine 

 For tickets or more information, please visit www.thebarclay.org or call (949) 854-4646.