Amy Seiwert's world premiere for Smuin Ballet's season opener takes classical movement and Grand Ole Opry and dips them in her innovative and compelling style. Set to music by Patsy Cline, an iconic ‘60s vocalist many fans put in the same category as Johnny Cash and Elvis, Seiwert's latest is her most accessible ballet yet. 

Also on the program is Michael Smuin’s Stabat Mater, his response to 9/11 and called one of his most beautiful works. Eternal Idol jumps the program from grief to sex, with its pas de deux inspired by the Rodin sculpture of a nude embracing couple created by Smuin for American Ballet Theatre. It also features the super-charged Tango Palace, drawing on the swaying of Argentina’s steamy underworld of barrios and brothels, where possession and desperation are the prime currency.  

September 23-October 1. Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, 3301 Lyon Street. Tickets are $35-62 at 415-556-5000 or smuinballet.org.