Don Quixote (ballet)
by The Children's Ballet of San Antonio
May. 08 - May. 09
Friday-Saturday
Join the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio for a “Fiesta de Plaza” with the company’s production of the legendary Don Quixote, running May 8-9. It’s the perfect time to present this ballet masterpiece, based on the iconic Spanish novel, right after San Antonio’s Fiesta season winds down and just before Mother’s Day. Performed at the stunning Majestic Theatre downtown, CBSA’s vibrant production is fun for the whole family, with charming characters, a romantic score, classic choreography and, of course, the hilarious antics of Don Quixote, plus a few original spins like aerialist and acro performances and a contemporary number. Show up early for a special souvenir market and cast photos to make memories that will last a lifetime.
A Night in Old Spain
If you love the colorful dresses and party atmosphere of Fiesta, you won’t want to miss Don Quixote, set in a timeless Barcelona plaza full of dashing toreros (bullfighters), dancing ladies and star-crossed lovers. Into the scene bumbles Don Quixote, a comically delusional knight, and his trusty sidekick Sancho Panza, who meet the beautiful Kitri, promised in marriage to a wealthy nobleman but in love with the poor barber Basilio. The massively misguided knight mistakes Kitri for Dulcinea, the woman of his dreams, so when she uses the plaza festivities as cover to elope with her beloved, he follows her on a madcap journey of fortune tellers, circus acts and yes, windmills. The ballet ends back on the plaza with the whole town celebrating the wedding of Kitri and Basilio.
Don Quixote is a natural fit for South Texas audiences with its fiesta focus and Spanish heritage. Even those who lean more rodeo than rond de jambe will marvel at the charismatic, cape-whipping toreros during the magnificent “Dance of Espada and the Toreros.” However, this classic version of Don Quixote, with music by Ludwig Minkus and choreography dating back more than 100 years, was first popularized far from Latino audiences in Russia. Legendary prima ballerina Anna Pavlova introduced the production to the West in 1924, where it has been considered a living link to the famed Russian Imperial ballet style ever since.
“It is the rare classical ballet that is joyful and comedic,” says CBSA founder and artistic director Vanessa Bessler, explaining what sets Don Quixote apart from other ballet masterpieces. “The whole production feels like a celebration. No one dies or is betrayed, and there is a happy ending.”
Viva Virtuosity!
It is also renowned in ballet circles for its energetic and demanding choreography. “The famous duet between Kitri and Basilio showcases everything classical ballet can do—dizzying pirouettes, soaring leaps and feather-light lifts—and is considered one of the ultimate tests of a dancer’s ability,” says Bessler.
The Children’s Ballet of San Antonio, whose young company members have earned more than 100 placements in prestigious national and international dance competitions in the 2025-26 season alone, has a cast that is more than up to the challenge, boasting dancers who have achieved the pinnacle of the highest honors at the Youth America Grand Prix, received invitations to train at European powerhouses such as the Royal Ballet of London, Dutch National Academy and Germany’s John Cranko School and more.
Better Than Brunch
Don Quixote appeals to both children, who laugh at the comedic hijinks, and ballet-loving adults, who marvel at the top-tier technique, and makes a perfect Mother’s Day weekend event. And like every CBSA production, it is a testament to the talent of young artists, nurtured by Bessler since she founded the company more than 11 years ago. Now internationally-recognized, CBSA is on the vanguard of local youth performing arts, committed to providing young performers with professional-level stage experience so they can pursue their artistic passions. CBSA productions attract hundreds of auditioners and Bessler is known for her inclusive approach to casting. The result is a heartwarming, high-quality piece of art that celebrates the joy of dance and the ability of the littlest ballerinas.
Don Quixote (ballet)
by Ludwig Minkus
The Children's Ballet of San Antonio
May 08 - May 09, 2026
Fri, May 8, 2026 at 7 PM & Sat, May 9, at 2 PM
Note: Market and Photos with cast opens one hour prior to showtime.
The Majestic Theatre, 224 E. Houston Street, San Antonio, TX 78205
Tickets $42.70 to $62.10
