An Unforgettable Night of 'Pure Joy' with Dancer Tiler Peck & Friends

Mimi Sells

October 10, 2023

If I don’t tell you about this one-night only show before I go see it, you will not forgive me! All star dancer, choreographer and now Director Tiler Peck will be appearing on November 1st at the San Diego Civic Theatre in a dazzling dance performance called “Turn it Out with Tiler Peck & Friends.” The show is presented by the La Jolla Music Society.

Already sold out multiple times in New York and London, “Turn it Out” has wowed audiences and critics alike. The New York Times said Peck is “the ballerina who can stop time.” The Washington Post called her a “dance luminary” and the Los Angeles Times raved she is “pure joy in toe shoes.”

The program will include an electrifying pas de deux choreographed by Alonzo King. Another piece is set to live music composed by Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw. And the finale, which will highlight Peck’s creative partnership with choreographer William Forsythe, is set to music by James Blake.

You may have seen some of Peck’s virtuosic work without knowing it. Besides being a Principal Dancer with the New York City Ballet, she was the subject of a documentary “Ballet Now.” She also choreographed the action movie thriller John Wick: Chapter 3–Parabellum. She has been frequently seen on TV and on Broadway including performing the title role in the musical “Little Dancer” coming to Broadway after its luminous run at the Kennedy Center in D.C.

In “Turn it Out,” Peck takes on an exciting additional role as Director. Peck will be joined by other acclaimed dancers including the reigning diva of tap dance, Michelle Dorrance and fellow New York City Ballet dancers. The company is performing over the coming weeks at top venues in several other California cities, offering each a one night invitation to be amazed and inspired.

We asked Peck to share what makes this show so exhilarating for audiences and critics. Here’s her own words:

What’s different—exciting—for you about directing this show? What did you learn about yourself or your team?

One of the things that has made “Turn it Out with Tiler Peck and Friends” so special for me is that I get to exercise all of my passions- directing, choreographing and dancing! I love challenging myself and wearing different hats, and, especially when directing, I get to bring my full artistic vision to life and that is incredibly exciting for me.

I created this show from a little seed of a thought and brought together some of the most celebrated and talented choreographers and dancers to make it whole. I love having to find all of the pieces that complete the puzzle. And when it works, that puzzle can take on a life of its own!

You seem to be able to do everything including writing children’s stories. What inspires you every day?

I am inspired by my love for dance. I love the way dance has the ability to make people feel – it is a universal language that is unlike anything else. I truly believe in dance’s absolute power to heal and bring light to others. I am determined to spread that joy.

What do you hope audiences take away from “Turn it Out?”

I hope that audiences leave the theater thinking, “I want to see that again!” My biggest hope is to push the boundaries of this artistic expression and surprise audiences. There is so much more to ballet than what many people think and I want to keep moving ballet and dance forward so as many people as possible can find enjoyment in it!

“Turn it Out” in San Diego on November 1 promises to be another sold out event for Tiler Peck & Friends. Don’t miss out!

Check out this preview video!

In this exciting show Tiler embraces the role of director, turning up the heat with innovative, handpicked repertoire performed by some of today’s most exciting dance talent, including fellow NYCB dancers and the reigning diva of tap dance, Michelle Dorrance.

The virtuosic program includes Thousandth Orange, set to live music composed by Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw; an electric pas de deux choreographed by Alonzo King; and a dynamic finale reflecting Peck’s creative partnership with choreographer William Forsythe, set to music by James Blake.

This show sold out multiple times in New York and London, and now Tiler is bringing it to her home state of California. Critics said Tiler is a “dance luminary” (Washington Post), “pure joy in toe shoes” (Los Angeles Times) and “the ballerina who can stop time (and re-start it too)” (New York Times).

More about Tiler Peck:

A Principal Dancer with New York City Ballet (NYCB), an actress, choreographer, author and designer, Tiler Peck continues to evolve as an artist and add to her extensive repertoire. She was the subject of the Hulu feature documentary, Ballet Now, and also choreographed the box office smash action movie, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum. She has appeared on the TV shows Ray Donovan, Tiny Pretty Things, the Ellen DeGeneres show, as a guest on Dancing with the Stars for three seasons. Tiler has also appeared on Broadway in The Music Man and in the Tony-nominated On the Town, the Emmy-nominated Carousel and the title role in Susan Stroman’s musical, Little Dancer at the Kennedy Center, which she will rejoin on Broadway.

As if that isn’t enough, Tiler recently added dancewear designer to her resume with the capsule collection Tiler Peck X STATESIDE and has published two children’s books, Katarina Ballerina and Katarina Ballerina & The Victory Dance (Simon & Schuster).

Tiler has won numerous awards and had the honor of performing for President Barack Obama at the 2012 and 2014 Kennedy Center Honors. She developed and produces a daily ballet class, #TurnItOutWithTiler, initially aimed at helping people stay connected and moving during the pandemic. Fans include Jennifer Garner, Sarah Jessica Parker, Leslie Odom Jr, and Josh Groban, who have all guested on the show.

ARTICLE: An Unforgettable Night of 'Pure Joy' with Dancer Tiler Peck & Friends