Zigzag by Jessica Lang Honors Tony Bennett at Legends & Luminaries Premiere

Brooke Lyness and Leo McGrath, dancing in the spring in New York. Photography courtesy of Nevada Ballet Theatre by Virginia Trudeau.

March 14, 2026 — Nevada Ballet Theatre took the spotlight with world-class ballet during its Legends & Luminaries premiere. Company B opened the evening beautifully, Red Angels was the diamond at its center, and for the finale, just as Tony Bennett famously said, "When they zig, I zag." The last dance of the evening was Zigzag, a contemporary ballet - as was Tony Bennett's wish — set to his music.

The evening placed Las Vegas' only ballet company in the spotlight, featuring the works of renowned choreographers such as Paul Taylor with Amy Kleinendorst, Ulysses Dove with his brother Alfred Dove, and Jessica Lang with Blane Hoven and Eric Tamm, all under the direction of their respective répétiteurs. They brought to life the classical and contemporary dance artform in Las Vegas with a New York flair which the audience embraced as an art form unique worldwide.

It made Zigzag that much more special that its contrasting yet welcoming scenic design was made by award winning designer Derek McLane. This further reflected in the production itself:

"He has incorporated some of Tony's visual physical artwork that he produced. So, in addition to an audience member getting to take in Tony's voice, you're actually seeing the New York City skyline that Tony has sketched himself," said Eric Tamm, Répétiteur of Zigzag with the Nevada Ballet Theatre.

Eleven of Bennet's iconic recordings also set the stage for dancers adorned in Carolina Herrera costuming. Angelic white silhouettes and spring-like, colorful puffed dresses took us on a ride across New York during spring time and left us humming to his nostalgic song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." It was a sentiment of celebratory modern dance not only for Bennett's life but for our collective American dream, with a heart whose roots are forever embedded along the shorelines of New York City.

The contemporary ballet of Zigzag inspired the audience to simply dance. It allowed our bare foot to do the pointe work, and our spirits to convince that anything is possible as long as we hold a dream close to our hearts. The key to that?

"When everybody zigs, we zag," said Tamm.