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The Concert triple bill, April 27-May 1


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The April 27-May 1 triple bill featuring the PA Ballet premieres of Jerome Robbins' The Concert and Christopher Wheeldon's Continum has been rounded out with George Balanchine's Raymonda Variations. That makes for a very enticing program.

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The official release:

PENNSYLVANIA BALLET PRESENTS THE COMPANY PREMIERE OF JEROME ROBBINS’ HILARIOUS BALLET, THE CONCERT

April 1, 2005

Program also includes the Company Premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s Continuum

and George Balanchine’s Raymonda Variations

Pennsylvania Ballet presents the Company Premiere of The Concert, Jerome Robbins’ hilarious look at what concertgoers ponder while watching a classical music concert, from April 27 to May 1 at the Merriam Theater. Also on the program is the Company Premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s Continuum and George Balanchine’s Raymonda Variations. Single tickets, priced $18.50 to $70.50, are available beginning March 29 by calling 215-336-2000 or by visiting www.paballet.org. Groups of 10 or more can purchase discounted tickets by calling 215-551-7000, ext. 1219 or 1212.

From the choreographer of Broadway’s Peter Pan, comes The Concert, a riotous masterpiece created by Jerome Robbins in 1956 which follows the actions and straying thoughts of audience members gathered to hear a Chopin piano concert. From the wide-eyed music fan to a pair of teenage gum chewers, and from a bored husband and his stern wife to an angry lady who just wants to hear the music, the production will delight audiences with its clever and witty take on classical music performances. Robbins was fascinated with Chopin and choreographed several other works to his music, including Dances at a Gathering (1969), In the Night (1970) and Other Dances (1976). For Pennsylvania Ballet’s Company Premiere, Pianist Martha Koeneman gets involved in the action, performing the Chopin score alongside the dancers with haughty gestures and funny antics!

The program also includes the Company Premiere of Christopher Wheeldon’s Continuum, originally created for San Francisco Ballet and set to an atonal and arrhythmic score for piano and harpsichord by the Hungarian composer György Ligeti. The series of 12 dance episodes, danced by four couples, was inspired by the emotional aftermath of September 11. The choreography, which is linear and geometric, includes a number of difficult lifts and extensions. This is the first Wheeldon work to be added to the repertoire since the Company premiered his acclaimed version of Swan Lake in June 2004. Mr. Wheeldon will be in town one week prior to opening to assist in the staging of Continuum.

The program concludes with George Balanchine’s Raymonda Variations, based on Balanchine’s love for Glazounov’s Raymonda and the music’s “grand and generous manner, its joy and playfulness.” Opening with a waltz for the principal ballerina and a corps of 12, the ballet is a practical A to Z of classical technique. The costumes, which are pink and feminine, are based on the original Barbara Karinska designs.

The acquisition and presentation of The Concert was made possible by the generosity of Gary J. and Kathy Z. Anderson and the William Penn Foundation.

The acquisition and presentation of Continuum was made possible by the generosity of Penny and Bob Fox, and Linda S. and David L. Glickstein.

The costumes for Raymonda Variations, designed in 2001 after the original Karinska designs, were made possible by the generosity of Leonard and Barbara Sylk and the Independence Foundation.

Founded in 1963 by Balanchine student Barbara Weisberger, Pennsylvania Ballet is one of the nation’s leading ballet companies. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the Company’s annual local season features six productions of classic favorites and new works, including the Philadelphia holiday tradition, The Nutcracker. For more information, call 215-551-7000 or visit www.paballet.org.

Fourth Program of the 2004-2005 Season:

The Concert (Jerome Robbins, choreographer; Music: Frederic Chopin, orchestrated by Hershy Kay)

Continuum (Christopher Wheeldon, choreographer; Music: Gyorgi Ligeti)

Raymonda Variations (George Balanchine, choreographer; Music: Alenxader Glazounov)

Merriam Theater

Wednesday, April 27 at 8 p.m.

Thursday, April 28 at 8 p.m.

Friday, April 29 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 30 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Sunday, May 1 at 2 p.m.

Single tickets, priced $18.50 to $70.50, are available beginning March 29 by calling 215-336-2000 or by visiting www.paballet.org. Groups of 10 or more can purchase discounted tickets by calling 215-551-7000, ext. 1219 or 1212.

Special hotel packages at the DoubleTree Hotel

Audience members can make their evening at the ballet even more special by including an overnight stay at the DoubleTree Hotel, located across the street from the Merriam Theater. This package includes overnight accomodations for two, complimentary parking, complimentary breakfast for two in the Academy Cafe and two tickets to The Concert. Parquet Seating: $299; Family Circle Seating: $255. For reservations, call 215-893-1600.

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PABallet's weekend performances did not disappoint! Will report later when time permits.........

The Concert is a fitting addition to their rep. Absolutely hilarious. Glad I got to see multiple viewing of Wheeldon's Continuum and Raymonda Variations shows the overall talent of the corps again :dunno:

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