Pennsylvania Ballet Presents Strength and Longing:

Venue:
Merriam Theater

250 South Broad Street

Philadelphia PA 19102

Pennsylvania Ballet and Artistic Director Angel Corella will take audiences on an emotional journey with four different choreographers in the upcoming performance of Strength and Longing.  Nacho Duato’s Without Words, Jerome Robbins’ NY Export, Opus Jazz, Justin Peck’s Chutes and Ladders, and Christopher Wheeldon’s For Four will be featured February 4-7 at The Merriam Theater, supported by ALGER.

The performances at The Merriam Theater run:

• Thursday, February 4 at 7:30 pm
• Friday, February 5 at 7:30 pm
• Saturday, Febraury 6 at 2:00 pm
• Saturday, February 6 at 8:00 pm
• Sunday, February 7 at 2:00 pm

Tickets are available online at paballet.org or by phone at 215.893.1999 and in person at the Kimmel Center Box Office.

The program opens with Nacho Duato’s Without Words, which highlights themes of life and death through six stripped-down instrumental compositions by Franz Schubert.  Throughout the performance, projected photographs of the dancers will foreshadow the future scene.

Justin Peck’s Chutes and Ladders is primarily an interpretation of the music, exposing details of the music through movement.  Set to Benjamin Britten’s String Quartet No. 1 in D Major, this Company premiere covers a range of moods and tempos as a string quartet performs onstage with the dancers.  This is not only a Company premiere, but also the first time the Company will perform a piece by Justin Peck.  At only 27 years old Peck, Resident Choreographer of New York City Ballet, is quickly becoming one of the top 21st century choreographers.

The Company will premiere Christopher Wheeldon’s For Four, a work created in California in 2006 for Kings of the Dance, an all-star showcase of top male ballet dancers.  The piece is performed to Schubert’s “Death and the Maiden” quartet.  This piece was created for four of the best male dancers in the world from four different schools of dance (Cuban, Russian, Danish and American - the Balanchine style), including Artistic Director Angel Corella.  Each movement demonstrates the different styles of dance and highlights how men have taken their place in the ballet world.

Jerome Robbins’ NY Export: Opus Jazz is an abstract ballet, set to cool jazz and angst-ridden beats, that reflects the post-war era of New York City streets, bustling with teens expressing their relationships and emotions through movement.

Conversations with Pennsylvania Ballet

Please join Conversations with Pennsylvania Ballet, a free informal discussion, where a Pennsylvania Ballet dancer will talk about their experience preparing for the Season opening performance.  This free event will be held on Monday February 1st at 6:30 pm at the Philadelphia City Institute Free Library (1905 Locust St, Philadelphia PA).

Preludes

Ignite your passion for dance with Preludes - Pennsylvania Ballet’s pre-show discussions.  Held in the theater prior to each performance, except the Saturday evening performance, Preludes feature an ever-changing roster of company members, artistic and administrative staff, and visiting artists discussing Pennsylvania Ballet’s performances, taking questions, and offering unmatched behind-the-scenes insights.  Preludes begin one hour prior to show time and are free and open to all patrons holding a ticket for the performance that follows.  Preludes are a great way to meet other ballet fans, enhance your knowledge of the art form, and get to know the artists behind Pennsylvania Ballet’s beautiful and thrilling performances.

Please note: Preludes are free and open to all ticket holders for the day listed on the ticket.

Groups of 10 or more get discounts and great seats!  Ask abour special talks with staff and dancers and dining options near the theater for your group.  For tickets and more information, contact Group Sales Manager Arajua Backman at 215.587.6921 or abackman@paballet.org.