BalletMet Columbus presents Carmina Burana March 5-13 at the Capitol Theatre, 77 S. High St.. Dwight Rhoden’s explosive dance work is complemented by a world premiere by BalletMet Company dancer Jimmy Orrante.

The verses of Carmina Burana, written by wayward monks, celebrate the cycle of life, from the beauty of nature to sensual joys to man's mortality and the cruelty of fate. Expressing the same cycle, the ballet presents the wheel of fortune and the frailties of humans whose fate it determines.

“It’s all about sex, love, life, death, lust, debauchery — the cycles of human life, and human frailties,” said Rhoden of his work when he first created it for BalletMet in 2004. Artistic Director of New York’s Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Rhoden and his highly athletic choreography have regularly been featured on television’s So You Think You Can Dance.

The set and costumes of Carmina Burana add to the innovative and theatrical production. The set and lighting design by Michael Korsch depicts a futuristic landscape including a massive steel fence. The costumes, designed by Miho Morinoue, include a dramatic skirt measuring 40-feet-by-40-feet. 

“Dwight’s cutting-edge choreography commands the stage,” says BalletMet’s Artistic Director Gerard Charles. “Paired with one of the most popular and powerful musical scores, this production will more than stir the audience’s soul.”

Accompanying Carmina Burana is a world premiere by company dancer Jimmy Orrante, following the success of his first full-length ballet, The Great Gatsby, in 2009.

Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased through CAPA (614-469-0939), Ticketmaster (800-982-2787, www.ticketmaster.com) or www.balletmet.org. Visit www.balletmet.org for more information.