Celebrity Series Won't Be In Citi Center Next Season

In light of the Boston Ballet decision, it's worth noting that the Citi Performing Arts Center will have some open dates next season. The Celebrity Series of Boston won’t have any events at either of the center’s theaters in 2008-09, CS marketing director Jack Wright confirmed today.

Wright, in an interview, wanted it made clear that the Celebrity Series is not abandoning the center, with which it had a dance partnership for years. (It ended in the 2006-07 season.) The move away from the Wang next season is “coincidental” and based on a variety of factors, including economics.

“Every year, and every show is case by case,” he said. “And if the numbers work, we’re there. We’re not voting with our feet. [2009-2010’s] another year and we could easily be back there.”

For context: In the final year of the partnership between the then-Wang Center and Celebrity Series, the 06-07 season, six dance performances were held at the Wang. This season, the Celebrity Series presented Alvin Ailey at the Wang, and Paul Taylor at the Shubert. There will be no CS shows at either venue in 08-09.

Incidentally, after presenting nothing at Emerson’s Cutler Majestic Theatre in 06-07, CS scheduled two performances for this year. Wright wouldn’t say whether there will be performances at the Cutler in 08-09, preferring to hold that until the CS announces its new season in April.