Bruce Springsteen music, a Gothic love story and a holiday classic set in Pittsburgh are just part of what's in store for audiences during Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's 2010-11 season.

Each year, the company aims to showcase two story ballets, a new work and a repertory program, said artistic director Terrence Orr. The 41st season will kick off Oct. 22 at the Benedum Center, Downtown, with a three-day run of Andre Prokovsky's "The Three Musketeers," featuring live orchestral music.

The ballet is "a new work for PBT that was choreographed for the Australian Ballet in the 1980s," Mr. Orr said.

For the holidays, PBT will stage its annual production of "The Nutcracker." As in past years, Mr. Orr plans to sprinkle throughout the ballet local references and scenery crafted after area landmarks such as the Kaufmann's clock Downtown and the view of the city's skyline from atop Mount Washington.

"I'm hoping to put some more magic into" the ballet, Mr. Orr said. "I have proposed an idea of being able to do some more magic before your eyes, and I'm hoping for that to be able to happen this year."

Dark romance will take center stage in February when PBT performs Ben Stevenson's "Dracula." While audiences may not typically associate blood-thirsty monsters with Valentine's season, Mr. Orr thinks the work will go along well with the recent popularity of Gothic love films like "Twilight."

The ballet "is traditionally done around Halloween," Mr. Orr said. "I really liked the idea of doing it around February."

In March 2011, the songs of George Gershwin will fill the Byham Theater when the company premieres Viktor Plotnikov's "Gershwin" with live music. PBT also will present for the first time since 2004 Derek Deane's "Hungry Heart ... We All Have One!!," a piece set to the music of Bruce Springsteen.

The company will cap off the season in April with a tribute to ballet legend George Balanchine. An orchestra will accompany dancers as they perform such classics as "The Prodigal Son" and "Agon," a new work for PBT.

For more information, visit www.pbt.org. For subscriptions, call 412-454-9107.

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