purelyballet

I have been extrememly busy since I returned home from PA. but I wanted to add a quick reply to the many other comments on Chris Wheeldon's new Swan Lake. I actually went to PA with the expectations of not liking this new version of a classic. However, after seeing it four times (so that I could see all casts), I have to say I LOVED it. Rio was by far my favorite as Odette, but to be honest all of the dancers were lovely. Special kudos certainly must go to the corps. These young ladies danced as one. They are certainly among the best corps dancers that I have seen in years. Both Chris and the corps have a lot to be proud of. Thanks for the fabulous entertainment....I can't wait to come and see the company again next season.

has anyone heard who was taken into the company this year from the school?

When you say they will be posting promotions in July, does this also pertain to the dancers from SFB School? Does anyone know if any of these dancers will be taken into the company?

I was just checking out the PABallet website and noticed that they have some interesting "fun facts" on Swan Lake. What a clever idea, kudos to whoever come up with the idea. Also, they commented that due to the overwhelming response in ticket sales, they have added an additional performance. So if you were thinking about seeing this ballet and do not have tickets already, you may want to call today.

Lastly, I noticed that PABallet never posted the profiles on their apprentices that were hired for the 2003/2004 season. Does anyone have any idea why, or when they will be posted?

Thanks for doing such a great job of keeping us informed.

I believe PABallet is doing a new Swan Lake choreographed by Chris Wheeldon. Has anyone heard any info on this and does anyone know when the casting will be posted? B)

I have been unable to locate any reviews on PABallet's Rhythm and Blues. If you have seen any could you please share the link with us?

SoCalGal, I could not agree with you more. I was fortunate to be able to attend the matinee on Saturday along with Sundays performance and I think this was proably my favorite program that I have seen PABallet do. It was truly amazing..both the choreography and the dancing. I have to give special mention to the pas with Heidi and Meredith. They both danced this with such intensity and feeling that it brought tears to my eyes....Bravo PABallet on a wondeful performance...

Ari, I apologize for posting the entire article. I will certainly keep this in mind for future postings. Also thanks for the info on the Links site. I look forward to checking it out.

Thought you might be interested in reading this article that was posted in today's Philadelphia Inquirer. It appears PABallet has hired a new Director of Development and her background is quite impressive.

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/business/8356130.htm?1c

The new director of development at the Pennsylvania Ballet may never have been a professional ballet dancer herself, but her interest was clear early on.

"I've always been interested in the performing arts," Hilary M. Alger said in an interview last week. "I took ballet as a child for six years." . . .

After working as associate director of development for major gifts at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Alger started at the ballet on March 1.

"My mission is to expand major gifts and individual giving in general, which is what I did at the University of Virginia," she said. While there, she was part of a team that raised $127 million over a two-year period.

The ballet's department of development, which she heads, has five people, including herself.

"We raise money from a variety of sources - foundations, companies, government and individuals. We also do a lot of special events," including a fall gala and a spring auction, she said.

I thought this was wondeful news and wanted to share it with the rest of the PABallet fans.....

PHILADELPHIA BUSINESS JOURNAL

LATEST NEWS

9:31 AM EST Tuesday

Pennsylvania Ballet gets $1M pledge

The Pennsylvania Ballet, which is based in Philadelphia, said Monday it received a pledge of $1 million, its largest endowment gift ever.

It will buttress the ballet's endowment, which was started within the past year and is now just shy of $2 million.

The pledge, from Ruth and Morris Williams of Gladwyne, Pa., will underwrite the position of the company's artistic director, which will now be known as the Ruth and Morris Williams Artistic Directorship. The position has been held since 1995 by Roy Kaiser.

"The beauty and quality of the performances under the direction of Roy Kaiser, the fine leadership provided by Michael Scolamiero and [board Chairman] Louise Reed, and the dedication of the dancers are all reasons why Ruth and I want to support Pennsylvania Ballet," Morris Williams said in a statement.

Ruth Williams chairs the boards of Vox Ama Deus and Project Forward Leap, and also serves as a member of the boards of the Philadelphia Orchestra and College of Wooster in Ohio. Morris Williams chairs the board of the Philadelphia Scholars and serves as a member of the Board of the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation and CARE, and is a Trustee Emerti of Duke University.

"Mr. and Mrs. Williams are longtime Pennsylvania Ballet supporters and subscribers," said Executive Director Michael Scolamiero. "Their generosity and friendship over the years has been outstanding and this extraordinary gift is a testament to their confidence in the organization's leadership and artistic merit."

The Pennsylvania Ballet, founded in 1963, has an annual operating budget of $10.5 million.

© 2004 American City Business Journals Inc.

Web reprint information

I had the good fortune of being in the Philadelphia area at the same time as Shut up and Dance......it was a great performance and I am going to make sure I am in town for next years event for sure......The dancing was great, the choreography exciting and new and the after party a blast. If you are around you might want to reserve the date for next year....it is well worth it.

I agree with everyone else...sounds like a marvelous rep. I am going to be sure to make as many as possible. Has anyone heard if the company has posted any promtions or new dancers for next year?

So Ca Gal, I missed the review on Taming. Do you think you could post this for those of us that are unable to attend this production? I have business to attend to so I am unable to make it this weekend, but I will be there for Shut Up and Dance, Swan Lake and hopefully the series with Blue until June and Fearful Symmetries.

Thanks for the heads up on the tickets. I will look into getting mine right away.

I have heard that some of the dancers from Pennsylvania participate in a program called "Shut up and Dance". Can someone tell me what this program is about and who when we will know more about the casting? :shrug:

In looking through the program for PABallet's Nutcracker, I noticed a few new apprentices that I do not see listed under the apprentice section of the dancers bios on the PABallet site. Do you have any idea when their bios will be posted so that we can read more about these dancers?

I just recently started following Pennsylvania Ballet. The first ballet that I saw them perform was Dracula and I followed up with 5 performances of The Nutcracker. I am also an avid fan of NYCB, ABT and SFB and I am delighted that I can now add Pennsylvania Ballet to my list of favorite companies.

As for which ballets I preferred this season, I can only comment on the two mentioned above. Both Dracula and Nutcracker were delightful to watch and I can honestly say that I think the Pennsylvania Ballet's corps is one of the tightest groups that I have seen in quite sometime. They perform beautifully together and are a joy to watch.

I just returned from a Christmas vacation to Philly. While there, I was able to see 5 performances of Pennsylvania Ballet's Nutcracker. I must say my favorite Sugar Plum was hands down Riolama. She was absolutely beautiful....such amazaing feet and facilities and her musicality was delightful. In years past, I have been fortunate to see the Nutcracker performed by many companies including NYCB, ABT, Joffrey, PNB, and SFB, but I think Riolama will now go down as my favorite Sugar Plum Fairy. I was also very impressed by the Corps. They all worked beautifully together and were glorious to watch in both Snow and Flower. Kudos to a wonderful production....I can't wait to see this fabulous company in future ballets.

Thanks Ari, I appreciate you sharing that with us.

I have not had the chance to see the Nutcracker yet, but am hoping to go shortly. I was wondering if anyone has seen any of the reviews or can fill me in on any of the performances?

Thanks for the posting and for keeping us up to date.

Does anyone know where Deanna is going or is she retiring from dance all together?

Thanks Dale. I really appreciate you posting the reveiw.

Has anyone heard how things are going in Cleveland? What about reveiws, has anyone seen any in the Cleveland papers? :rolleyes: