Get Set To Boogie With Pennsylvania Ballet

"Paul Taylor's choreography presents dance styles evocative of the World War II era, and yet the themes presented in the piece seem just as poignant and relevant today," says Artistic Director Roy Kaiser. "This dynamic program seamlessly fuses different generations and interpretations of the art form that I think audiences will find quite entertaining."

Also on the bill is George Balanchine's elegant Concerto Barocco, the first piece ever performed by the Company and one that remains a definitive piece in the Company's repertoire. Matthew Neenan's As It's Going, a ballet in seven movements drawn from an Anna Akhmatova poem by the same name, completes this provocative program. Neenan, a Company dancer since 1994, will retire at the end of this production to continue his choreographic pursuits.

Performances of Company B are as follows:

Wednesday, October 10 at 8 p.m.

Thursday, October 11 at 8 p.m.

Friday, October 12 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, October 13 at 2 & 8 p.m.

Sunday, October 14 at 2 p.m.

Company B Dance Party Spectacular

To celebrate the exuberant dance spirit of the 1940s, Pennsylvania Ballet, with Johnny Rockets will host a Company B Dance Party Spectacular, from 6:30 – 9 p.m. on Wednesday, October 3, 2007. Put on your dancin' shoes and boogie on down to South Street at Passyunk for an evening of social dancing lessons with 2007 National Swing Champion Christine Kam, who will lead a half hour lesson followed by open dancing. A dance-off completes the night as Pennsylvania Ballet dancers judge winners of a grand prize. Johnny Rockets will provide complimentary refreshments and special discounts to the restaurant.

During all Company B performances, Pennsylvania Ballet will collect donated goods and supplies to benefit Keystone Soldiers, an affiliate of Give2TheTroops, a national organization that prepares and sends care packages to active military members around the world. Founded in December of 2002, by a U.S. Marine wife, Give2TheTroops has sent more than 45,000 large boxes (averaging 65 lbs. each) to more than half a million American military troops deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other combat zones.

Full season subscription prices range from $87 to $495. Subscribers receive many benefits over single ticket purchasers including a 20% discount, priority seating, convenient partial payment plan, easy ticket exchanges, discounts to fine restaurants and other area cultural institutions, advance ticket purchasing for The Nutcracker and more! Pennsylvania Ballet offers special subscription series specifically designed for young professionals. Thursday Night Jumps! and Sophisticated Sundays combine exciting social events and behind the scenes opportunities with performances throughout the season. Sophisticated Sundays is presented by American Express and is made possible through funding from the American Express Performing Arts Fund.

Day event on the day of the show. Family Day is a fun-filled celebration featuring entertainment, games and craft activities, as well as autograph opportunities with some of the featured dancers. The Family Matinee Series performances this season are as follows: George Balanchine's The Nutcracker on Saturday, December 15, Coppélia on Saturday, April 26 and Carnival of the Animals on Saturday, June 7.

Founded in 1963 by Balanchine student Barbara Weisberger, Pennsylvania Ballet is one of the nation's leading ballet companies. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the Company's annual local season features six productions of classic favorites and new works, including the Philadelphia holiday tradition, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker. -- www.paballet.org