The Australian Ballet Oscar©
Choreographed by Tony winner Christopher Wheeldon (MJ the Musical, An American in Paris), this New York premiere of the full-length work created for The Australian Ballet in 2024 features a sweeping score by Joby Talbot, played live by the 47-piece Orchestra of St. Luke’s. Under the direction of former American Ballet Theatre and Bolshoi Ballet star David Hallberg, The Australian Ballet returns to New York for its first full-length engagement since 2012.
Oscar© is a “trailblazing masterpiece” (Australian Arts Review) that brings the life and writings of brilliant humorist Oscar Wilde to the stage in the first story ballet of this scale to center gay relationships. Imprisoned in 1895 England, Wilde revisits the glittering world he once inhabited—his fame, his love affairs, and ultimately his downfall. These memories intertwine with his works, The Nightingale and the Rose and The Picture of Dorian Gray, creating a richly layered portrait of a visionary artist.
Oscar© anchors this season’s Artists at the Center series spotlighting David Hallberg, with additional appearances by The Australian Ballet in the 2026 Fall for Dance Festival and a Studio 5 event.
Casting and programming subject to change
The Australian Ballet photo by Daniel Boud
Oscar© by Christopher Wheeldon
Choreography Christopher Wheeldon
Synopsis by Christopher Wheeldon and Joby Talbot based on an original idea by Alexander Wise and Christopher Wheeldon
Composer Joby Talbot
Published by Chester Music Ltd
Stage and Costume Design Jean-Marc Puissant
Lighting Design Jon Goldman
Video Design David Bergman
Assistant to the Choreographer Jason Fowler
Design Associate Sukie Kirk
Featuring Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Christopher Wheeldon’s Oscar© includes extracts from Neil McKenna’s book, The Secret Life of Oscar Wilde, copyright Neil McKenna, with kind permission from the author.
World premiere September 13, 2024, Regent Theatre, Melbourne, The Australian Ballet.
Run Time
Approx. 2 hours and 15 minutes with one intermission
