The Knight Theater's inaugural events will include a one-night NCDT gala Jan. 8, featuring a program to be announced. The troupe will return in March with a revival of Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's “Cinderella.” From then on, the Knight Theater will be NCDT's home except when it performs its annual “Nutcracker,” which will remain in the Belk Theater.

The season will include NCDT's first performances of George Balanchine's “Apollo” and the return of “Nine Sinatra Songs,” Twyla Tharp's glorification of ballroom dancing. The company will also bring back “Constructing Juliet,” Mark Godden's look at the Romeo and Juliet legend from the Capulet family's point of view.

“Cinderella” is an NCDT showpiece, thanks in part to the sets by Alain Vaes, including a glittering ballroom and pumpkin that transforms simply but ingeniously into a carriage. NCDT hopes to enlarge the production to go along with the move to the new theater.

NCDT will cap off the season with performances at the Kennedy Center on June 15-20, 2010. The troupe is among nine companies invited to take part in the center's Ballet Across America festival. The center has asked it to perform artistic director Bonnefoux's bluegrass-inspired “Shindig.”

NCDT's schedule in Charlotte:

Sept. 17-19: Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux's “Shindig,” Twyla Tharp's “Nine Sinatra Songs,” Alonzo King's “Map.” Belk Theater.

Sept. 19-20: Matinees of “Once Upon a Time.” Belk Theater.

Nov. 5-7, 12-14: Innovative Works, with choreography by Uri Sands, Dwight Rhoden, Sasha Janes and Mark Diamond. Booth Playhouse.

Dec. 11-13, 18-20: Bonnefoux's “Nutcracker.” Belk Theater.

Jan. 8, 2010: Gala at the Knight Theater.

March 4-7, 11-14: Bonnefoux's “Cinderella.” Knight Theater.

May 13-15: George Balanchine's “Apollo,” Mark Godden's “Constructing Juliet,” new work by Rhoden. Knight Theater.