The Alberta Ballet offered a sneak peek of its upcoming Sarah McLachlan-inspired ballet in Calgary on Tuesday, along with news that two additional dates have been added to its spring run.

Fumbling Towards Ecstasyis the company's third pop-inspired dance production.

Alberta Ballet dancers surround Sarah McLachlan, whose music inspired the ballet Fumbling Towards Ecstasy.Alberta Ballet dancers surround Sarah McLachlan, whose music inspired the ballet Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. Phil Crozier/Alberta Ballet

Artistic director Jean Grande-Maître decided to create the work after seeing the interest generated by his previous two ballets set to contemporary music. The Fiddle and the Drum was set to the music of Joni Mitchell, while Love Lies Bleeding, which reflected the life of Elton John.

Fumbling Towards Ecstasy will explore the "ever-changing lives of women," with female dancers ranging from 11-year-old girls to an experienced, 53-year-old ballerina.

The title of new ballet, also the name of McLachlan's hit 1993 album, hints at its subject matter, Grande-Maître told CBC News.

"A lot of us suffer in our lives and are gauche and make mistakes and never learn how to forgive ourselves," he said.

A bigger Alberta Ballet

Alberta Ballet announced Tuesday that it will boost its ranks with nine new dancers. The additions bring the company total to 31 — a record roster for the troupe, which celebrates its 45th anniversary next season.

Among the newcomers are three former members of the National Ballet of Cuba, including Elier Bourzac, who had served as a principal dancer with the Havana-based company and was one of five dancers who chose to remain in Canada following a February performance in Montreal.

Grande-Maître had also been slated to announce touring dates for his Elton John ballet, Love Lies Bleeding. However, unspecified issues have delayed that announcement.

"All of this is part of Sarah's music. In my choreographic vocabulary, I always tell the dancers: 'It's not always about grace. It's about finding grace. Struggling to find grace.' So sometimes I show their weight and the contraction of the body, which then leads to abandon, surrender, very soaring lines and graceful choreography. As much as she believes in the fumbling towards the ecstasy, so do I."

A longtime fan of McLachlan's, the Quebec choreographer revealed that when he lived in Europe years ago, he listened to her music to feel closer to home.

"I think she's one of the great melodic writers of our time. Her poetry is beautiful. She seems to bring us back to earth in this crazy entertainment industry that we have to suffer every day," he said.

Fumbling Towards Ecstasy will feature 17 McLachlan songs drawn "from her earliest albums to her latest," Grande-Maître said. Among the songs used are the title track, Hold On, Into the Fire, Good Enough, Ice Cream and Building a Mystery.

McLachlan contributed greatly to the creative process, said Grand-Maître.McLachlan contributed greatly to the creative process, said Grand-Maître. Darren Makowichuk/Alberta Ballet

The Grammy and Juno-winning singer-songwriter has been heavily involved in the ballet's creative process, he added. She's helped choose songs, aided with the libretto, lent a hand with fundraising and even provided some personal art that will be projected during the performance.

"In the ballet world, a lot of the composers we work with died centuries ago. So to be able to work with a living composer, who can share with you their thoughts on their music [...], enables us to create a ballet that hopefully will be so truthful and so intimate," Grande-Maître said.

Fumbling Towards Ecstasy will debut in Calgary on May 4. It continues through May 7. An Edmonton engagement follows May 12-14. The company is also in talks to tour the ballet across North America.

With files from Jessica deMello