Marking the company’s 45th Anniversary Season, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr has unveiled a 2014-2015 lineup punctuated by grand classical ballets and Pittsburgh premieres.
This milestone season will feature the Pittsburgh premiere of “Beauty and the Beast,” an all-premiere mixed repertory program at the Benedum Center and the company’s first full-length production of one of classical ballet’s most exotic stories – “La Bayadère.”
Opening in October with “The Sleeping Beauty” with the PBT Orchestra, the five-production lineup features “The Nutcracker,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “PBT Premieres” with the PBT Orchestra and the season finale, “La Bayadère” with the PBT Orchestra.
Season ticket packages start at $69, and can be purchased online at www.pbt.org or by calling 412-454-9107. Single ticket sales open Sept. 2, 2014 with prices starting at $27.
2014-2015 45th Anniversary Season
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra
October 24-16, 2014 – Benedum Center
Choreography: Marius Petipa
Staged by: Terrence S. Orr
Music: Peter I. Tchaikovsky
Awaken the senses with the fairy-tale splendor of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “The Sleeping Beauty.” Resting at the pinnacle of classical ballet, good conquers evil in the beloved story of Princess Aurora’s enchanted slumber. Set to one of Tchaikovsky’s most celebrated scores, the ballet’s legendary “Rose Adagio” scene ranks among the most spellbinding sequences in classical ballet.
The Sleeping Beauty, which debuted in St. Petersburg in 1890, is the result of a collaboration between choreographer Marius Petipa and composer Peter I. Tchaikovsky. First performed by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre as a full-length ballet in 1996, it has continued to be an audience favorite featuring fanciful characters, such as the Lilac Fairy, a dashing prince, the evil Carabosse and a company of fairy tale characters. Considered “the father of classical ballet,” Marius Petipa choreographed more than 50 ballets, including “Swan Lake,” “La Bayadère,” “Don Quixote” and “The Nutcracker.”
THE NUTCRACKER Sponsored by Macy’s
December 5-28, 2014 – Benedum Center
Concept and Choreography: Terrence S. Orr
Music: Peter I. Tchaikovsky
Capture the awe and exhilaration of the holiday season with the classic story, iconic choreography and soaring score of “The Nutcracker.” This Pittsburgh-inspired production laces the traditional tale with new surprises each year and keeps the magic alive by showcasing the virtuosity of more than 170 dancers. From the moonlit Snow Scene to the effervescent Land of Enchantment, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette calls “The Nutcracker” “the best holiday performance in Pittsburgh.” Set to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score, The Nutcracker stays true to many of the original elements of the original E.T.A. Hoffman tale while lacing the production with iconic turn-of-the-century Pittsburgh imagery, such as a Mt. Washington snow scene and a Land of Enchantment carousel inspired by Pittsburgh’s historic amusement parks.
Following a successful 2014 pilot performance, PBT will present a special autism-friendly performance of “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 23, at 2 p.m.
PNC Bank Presents...
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Feb. 6-15, 2015 – Benedum Center
Choreography after: Lew Christensen
Staged by: Terrence S. Orr
Music: Peter I. Tchaikovsky
PBT gives a new full-length ballet its Pittsburgh premiere with “Beauty and the Beast,” an imaginative interpretation of the time-honored tale of inner beauty. From the Beast’s imposing castle to the enchanted forest, “Beauty and the Beast” vividly illustrates the transformative power of love through striking set design, inventive choreography and a cast of fanciful characters.
Lew Christensen’s “Beauty and the Beast” experienced consistent box office success and critical acclaim during itslong-time run at San Francisco Ballet. During their own dancing careers with San Francisco Ballet, four members of PBT’s current artistic team – Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr; Robert Vickrey, assistant to the artistic director; PBT School Director Dennis Marshall; and PBT School Faculty Member Andre Reyes – performed in the production. PBT was able to acquire this production through the support of presenting sponsor PNC Bank, which has ensured that Pittsburgh audiences will continue to enjoy this production for years to come.
