The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's lineup includes 2 debuts
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The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will perform "The Nutcracker" five more times in its 2010-11 season than it did last season. Shown dancing the Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier last December are Kumiko Tsuji and Christopher Budzynski
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The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's 2011-12 season will be a pas de deux of old favorites and new attractions -- including a venue change, Pittsburgh premieres and more chances to catch "The Nutcracker."
Dancers will open the 42nd season in October with "Peter Pan." Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet premiered this work by choreographer Jorden Morris in 2006. PBT has performed "Peter Pan" in the past, but its next showing at the Benedum Center, Downtown, will mark the Pittsburgh debut of Mr. Morris' version.
The ballet is "quite wonderful and frolic and also mature in lots of ways," said PBT artistic director Terrence Orr. "I'm having great fun with the fact that we're going to be doing this production."
Sugarplums, Marie and the magic of "The Nutcracker" will return to the Benedum Center in December. For the 10th year, this holiday classic will have a Pittsburgh flavor through set pieces and characters inspired by local landmarks and families. The three-week run will include 21 public performances and one student matinee, up from 16 public performances and a student matinee in 2010.
The new year will kick off with a new venue when PBT stages a mixed repertory program with live music at the August Wilson Center, Downtown. This production will replace PBT's usual engagement at Downtown's Byham Theater. Mr. Orr said the theater at the Wilson Center is "intimate and quite lovely," making it a prime place for trying out smaller works the company may take on tour.
Performances held at Benedum Center, unless noted.
• "Peter Pan," Oct. 28-30
• "The Nutcracker," Dec. 2-23
• Mixed repertory with live music, August Wilson Center, Feb. 8-12, 2012
• "A Streetcar Named Desire," March 9-11, 2012
• "Coppelia" with the orchestra, April 13-15, 2012
Information: www.pbt.org.
For subscriptions: 412-454-9107.
Single tickets will go on sale in September.
PBT will be back at the Benedum in March with "A Streetcar Named Desire." In 1983, the Hamburg Ballet was first to perform choreographer John Neumeier's balletic adaptation of Tennessee Williams' haunting and raw American drama. PBT will be the first troupe to perform Mr. Neumeier's rendition in North America.
The season will close in April by ushering back to the Benedum, after six years, Arthur Saint-Leon's "Coppelia." Live music will accompany this story of a life-like doll, mistaken identity and eccentric characters.
All the ballets are "brilliant pieces in their own right, so it comprises a nice season," Mr. Orr said.
First Published February 6, 2011 12:00 am
