‘Ballet’s Greatest Hits,’ with Nigel Lythgoe, coming to cinemas

Nigel Lythgoe, the über reality-TV producer, is a one-man brand for bringing the world of dance to the masses, mainly through the Fox series “So You Think You Can Dance.” Later this month, he will host a special cinematic event that is intended to give classical ballet a leg up in terms of public exposure.

“Ballet’s Greatest Hits” is a filmed version of a January gala that took place at the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa, Fla. The gala performance featured excerpts from famous ballets -- including “Swan Lake,” “Giselle” and “The Nutcracker” -- performed by dancers from top companies around the world.

Lythgoe serves as the host for the movie, which will also feature interviews with dancers Benjamin Millepied and Misty Copeland, as well as film producer and former dancer Lawrence Bender.

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“Ballet’s Greatest Hits” is scheduled to be broadcast to movie theaters on 10 a.m. March 31. Local theaters that will show the movie include the Laemmle cinemas in Santa Monica, North Hollywood, Encino and Pasadena.

The broadcast is part of the Emerging Pictures Ballet in Cinema series, which broadcasts dance productions from major international companies, including the Bolshoi Ballet, Royal Ballet and La Scala ballet.

Lythgoe also serves on the board of directors at the Los Angeles Music Center.

[Updated: A previous version of this post stated that Emerging Pictures Ballet in Cinema series included performances by American Ballet Theatre. The series doesn’t include that company.]

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