Season Announcement
Announcing Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s 2020-2021 Season!
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr is proud to announce the company’s 2020-2021 Season lineup, featuring a mixed-repertory program of masterful choreographers, the return of Derek Deane’s “Alice in Wonderland,” and the PBT premier of Ronald Hynd’s “The Merry Widow.” Orr will retire as artistic director in June 2020.
The five-ballet season will run from October 2020 through May 2021 and includes: “Cinderella” with the PBT Orchestra, “The Nutcracker,” “The Merry Widow” with the PBT Orchestra,” “Modern Masters” featuring works by Mark Morris and Nacho Duato, and “Alice in Wonderland.”
Single tickets start at $28 and will be available this August at pbt.org or 412-456-6666. Subscription packages start at $81 at pbt.org or 412-454-9107 and offer 20 percent savings over single tickets and a variety of subscriber benefits.
2020-2021 SEASON LINEUP
“Cinderella” with the PBT Orchestra
Oct. 23-25, 2020 — Benedum Center
Choreography: Kent Stowell | Music: Sergei Prokofiev
A classic fairy tale is renewed with romance at its core in the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre premier of Kent Stowell’s Cinderella. Attend the royal ball with Cinderella, her wicked step sisters and her prince as the familiar tale of true love unfolds through grand theatrical scenery, glittering costumes and Prokofiev’s splendid score.
“The Nutcracker”
Dec. 4-27, 2020 — Benedum Center
Choreography & Concept: Terrence S. Orr | Music: P.I. Tchaikovsky
The magic of the holiday season fills the Benedum Center stage in The Nutcracker. PBT’s Pittsburgh-inspired production captures the excitement of the original story through five fanciful scenes, over 150 unique costumes and Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. With a rotating cast of dozens of dancers, each performance provides a fresh experience to audiences and artists alike.
“The Merry Widow” with the PBT Orchestra
Feb. 12-14, 2021 — Benedum Center
Choreography: Ronald Hynd | Music: Franz Lehár
Toast to the glitz and glamour of The Merry Widow! With his nation on the verge of bankruptcy, it’s up to the debonair Count Danilo to woo the wealthy widow Hanna Glawari and use her fortune to save his country. But the object of his affection is the same childhood sweetheart he jilted so long ago. This buoyant ballet explores the romance and intrigue unraveling in a Belle Epoque ballroom in Paris through lavish costumes and lush dancing.
“Modern Masters” ft. Mark Morris, Nacho Duato and More
April 9-18, 2021 — August Wilson African American Cultural Center
In partnership with the August Wilson African American Cultural Center
Choreography & Music: Mixed Repertory
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre returns to the August Wilson African American Cultural Center with a mixed-repertory program featuring Mark Morris’ exultant Maelstrom, set to Beethoven’s Ghost Trio. Nacho Duato puts the music of Claude Debussy at the center of his enchanting Duende, fluidly melding the human form and the shape of sound to create a magical landscape. The final piece of the performance will be chosen by PBT’s incoming artistic director.
“Alice in Wonderland”
May 7-16, 2021 — Benedum Center
Choreography: Derek Deane | Music: P.I. Tchaikovsky, additional music by Carl Davis
Step into a surreal world of outlandish illusion, dreamlike scenery and your favorite Lewis Carroll characters in Derek Deane’s Alice in Wonderland. A whimsical medley of Tchaikovsky’s music provides the perfect backdrop to the madness of deranged tea parties, unhinged games of croquet and extraordinary dance. Don’t miss the madcap ballet the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette calls an “old-fashioned romp through [the] British classic, ripe with an over-the-top music hall flavor.”
Announcing Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s 50th Anniversary Season
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr is proud to announce the company’s 50th Anniversary Season lineup, featuring a mixed-repertory production of Pittsburgh talent at the August Wilson Cultural Center and a celebration of George Balanchine and P.I. Tchaikovsky in honor of PBT’s milestone season.
The five-ballet season runs October 2019 through April 2020 and includes: “Giselle” with the PBT Orchestra;” “The Nutcracker;” “Beauty and the Beast;” “Here & Now” featuring choreography by Kyle Abraham, Dwight Rhoden and artist in residence Staycee Pearl; and “Balanchine & Tchaikovsky” with the PBT Orchestra to celebrate PBT’s landmark 50th Anniversary Season.
PBT will begin its 50th Anniversary Celebration on July 13 with a performance at Chautauqua Institution with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra featuring vignettes of The Sleeping Beauty, set to P.I. Tchaikovsky’s stunning score.
Subscriptions start at $81 and are on sale now at pbt.org or 412-454-9107. Season ticket packages feature 20 percent savings over single tickets and a variety of subscriber benefits. Single ticket sales will open Aug. 6, at pbt.org or 412-456-6666.
50th ANNIVERSARY SEASON LINEUP — 2019-2020
“Giselle” with the PBT Orchestra
Oct. 25-27, 2019 — Benedum Center
Choreography: Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot | Music: Adolphe Adam
Hope, heartache and betrayal cast their haze on one of the most breathtaking ballets of the Romantic period in “Giselle” with the PBT Orchestra. A village girl is doomed by a lover’s deceit to a ghostly sisterhood of spurned maidens intent on revenge in what Pittsburgh Post-Gazette calls a “bewitching and beguiling dance with death.” Audiences will lose themselves among the mist and supernatural beauty of the fascinating scenery, story and score by Adolphe Adam.
“The Nutcracker”
Dec. 6-29, 2019 — Benedum Center
Choreography & Concept: Terrence S. Orr | Music: P.I. Tchaikovsky
The magic of “The Nutcracker” comes to life on the Benedum Center stage! Beneath the Stahlbaum’s Christmas tree, a battle between the gallant Nutcracker prince and the ruthless Rat King unfolds, ensnaring the young Marie and sending her on an adventure through the Land of Enchantment. Stunning scenes, sparkling snowflakes and Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score make “The Nutcracker” Pittsburgh’s favorite holiday tradition.
PNC Presents “Beauty and the Beast”
Feb. 14-23, 2020 — Benedum Center
Choreography: Lew Christensen | Music: P.I. Tchaikovsky
Beauty comes from within. So does the nature of the Beast. See both sides of the story in “Beauty and the Beast.” The classic tale weaves a tender love story between the gnarled trees of the enchanted forest. Audiences are offered a glimpse at unexpected romance, heartbreak and the power of love through striking scenery and stunning neoclassical choreography.
“Here & Now” ft. Kyle Abraham, Staycee Pearl & Dwight Rhoden
March 20-29, 2020 — August Wilson Center
In partnership with the August Wilson Cultural Center
Choreography & Music: Mixed Repertory
This mixed-repertory production brings together three celebrated choreographers to create stunning dance for the here and now in the August Wilson Cultural Center. “The Quiet Dance,” from Pittsburgh native Kyle Abraham, captures the feelings of frustration and isolation through sweeping movement, beginning in silence and then carried by the gentleness of Bill Evans’ arrangement of Bernstein’s “Some Other Time.” Staycee Pearl, local choreographer, will create a brand new ballet for the program. And the beloved popular music of Paul Simon sets the stage for Dwight Rhoden’s physical and visceral “Simon Said.”
“Balanchine & Tchaikovsky: A 50th Anniversary Celebration” with the PBT Orchestra
April 17-19, 2020 — Benedum Center
Choreography: George Balanchine | Music: P.I. Tchaikovsky
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s storied history with Balanchine and Tchaikovsky is revived in this mixed-repertory production celebrating two of ballet’s greatest contributors. The music of P.I. Tchaikovsky has provided the backbone for many of George Balanchine’s most exquisite ballets, including the invigorating “Theme and Variations,” the expansive “Allegro Brilliante” and the consummate “Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux,” set to the classic music of Swan Lake. This special 50th Anniversary event also features “Diamonds,” the brilliant third movement of Balanchine’s “Jewels.”