For the twenty-fifth time, Shut Up and Dance will be presented April 29 to benefit Manna, whose motto is “Delivering Nourishment, Improving Health” to those who are battling life-threatening illnesses. Presented by the dancers of Pennsylvania Ballet, it will be hosted once again by Martha Graham Cracker at the Forrest Theatre. There is also an after party at Voyeur Nightclub with DJ Robert Drake.

For tickets, call 215-496-2662 or visit www.mannapa.org/dance

If you can’t make it to Shut Up and Dance on April 29, please donate directly to Manna at The Steven Korman Nutrition Center 420 North 20th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130, or call 215-496-2662. Instead of buying that fancy coffee drink at Saxby’s or Starbucks, donate that $5.00 or $10.00 for a good cause.

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While we are on the topic of Pennsylvania Ballet, their mixed bill seen on Sunday April 9 at the Merriam Theater was superb. First on the program was Ghost Stories, a world premiere by choreographer Nicolo Fonte. All that can be said about this piece is Wow! Fresh as today, and as inventive as tomorrow, Fonte delivered mesmerizing beauty in spades. The audience went wild. We hope to see other works by this choreographer very soon. Remansos by Nacho Duarte was very different, yet also riveting, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. George Balanchine’s Western Symphony completed the program. Some who recall seeing Western Symphony with the New York City Ballet had a completely different experience today. Excellent dancing and tongue-in-cheek sets and costumes were a hoot. It must have been something in the air that day, but the audiences were ecstatic in their response to the dancers and choreography.

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Pennsylvania Ballet returns to the Academy of Music for their mixed bill of choreography they call Re/Action, onstage May 11 through May 14. Intriguingly, three duets by George Balanchine are scheduled: Rubies pas de deux from the full-length Jewels; Tchaikovsky pas de deux; and Tarantella. Completing the bill will be a World Premiere by Matthew Neenan.

This program will complete their current season. The Pennsylvania Ballet’s 2017-2018 season will include The Sleeping Beauty (with choreography by Artistic Director Angel Corella), On Edge, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake (with choreography by Artistic Director Angel Corella), Grace and Grandeur, and Jewels.

For information about this season as well as subscribing to next season, visit www.paballet.org .

 

 

Photo credit:

Dayesi Torriente and James Ihde rehearsing for Nicolo Fonte in his Ghost Stories. Photo By: Arian Molina Soca