Tag: Dance

PITTSBURGH – It is with profound sadness that Point Park University and the Conservatory of Performing Arts announce the passing of dance legend Ron Tassone.

Tassone, 76, a full-time professor of dance, died Tuesday. He started at Point Park in September 1974.

Tassone began his career in summer stock and upon graduation made his Broadway debut in “Gypsy,” followed by seven other Broadway shows, including “Subways are for Sleeping,” “No Strings,” “Here’s Love,” “Fade-Out, Fade-In”,”Funny Girl,” “George M.” and “Billy.” He has also appeared on various television shows and in films.

“Ron was beloved by students and faculty. He brought tremendous joy to his students and the university, and our world is less rich with his absence,” University President Paul Hennigan said. “Ron loved his students and helped launch many a dancer’s career. He started the jazz program at Point Park and his legacy will live on through the work of his students. We extend our sincerest condolences to his family.”

Tassone established the jazz major within the Point Park dance program and assumed the role of director of dance for 10 years. He choreographed more than 25 jazz dance works at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse. He also choreographed and/or directed many musicals at theatres such as Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Kenley Players, Phoenix Star Theatre, Music Fairs, Inc., and West Virginia Public Theatre. He was the co-choreographer of the American College Theatre Festival award-winning Grand Hotel, performed at the Kennedy Center in April 2002.

Tassone served as adjudicator for Dance Masters of Pennsylvania, Dance Masters of America, Lucas & Co. and Headliners regional and national competitions.

“He created the dancer and human being that I am today,” said Kiesha Lalama, associate professor of dance. “Everything I am is because of that man.

“The legacy he has established is legendary, to say the least. He gave his heart and soul to this dance program and to the Conservatory,” she said. “All he wanted to do was put smiles on people’s faces through dance. He has touched thousands of dancers’ lives and launched so many careers. He is one of those teachers you will always remember because he is one of those who helped shape your career and who you are as a person.”

Funeral details will be announced at a later date.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre presents its free performance and picnic in the park at the Hartwood Acres Middle Road Concert Area on Sunday, Aug. 17. “Ballet Under the Stars” begins at 5 p.m. with free children’s activities and a ticketed pre-show picnic dinner followed by the 7:30 p.m. performance.  As part of the Allegheny County Summer Concert Series, PBT invites community members to gather their lawn chairs and blankets for a summer evening of classical and contemporary choreography at the Hartwood Acres amphitheater. “Ballet Under the Stars” gives audiences their first look at the 2014-2015 company roster and builds excitement for PBT’s 45^th Anniversary Season, which opens in October at the Benedum Center. This year’s performance will provide a sneak peek of the grand pas de deux from PBT’s 45^th Anniversary Season opener, “The Sleeping Beauty.”  The program also will reprise 2013-2014 Season highlights with bravura dancing from the classic “Don Quixote” and an encore performance of choreographer Viktor Plotnikov’s contemporary ballet, “In Your Eyes,” which PBT gave its world premiere in March.

Audience members also can take advantage of a special single ticket pre-sale for PBT’s 45^th Anniversary Season, which opens Oct. 24-26, with “The Sleeping Beauty” at the Benedum Center. The five-ballet lineup will continue with “The Nutcracker” in December, “Beauty and the Beast” in February, “PBT Premieres” in March and “La Bayadère” in April. For more information about PBT’s 2014-2015 Season, visit www.pbt.org.

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Pre-Show Children’s Activities (Free) – 5:00 p.m.

Dinner Under the PBT Tent (Tickets needed) – 5:00 p.m.

PBT Performance (Free) – 7:30 p.m.

Hartwood Acres –Middle Road Performance Area

Hartwood Acres

Pittsburgh, PA 15238

*Follow signs to Middle Road Performance Area off of Harts Run Road

 TICKETS:      Performance and pre-performance children’s activities are free and open to the public.

*Please note that the pre-show barbecue dinner under the PBT Tent is a ticketed, fundraising event. Tickets are available for $75 for adults and $20 for children. Tickets are available at www.pbt.org or by calling 412-454-9138.

PITTSBURGH – Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Company continues its acclaimed tradition of featuring the work of some of the most visionary and internationally recognized choreographers with the Conservatory Dance Company at the Byham Theater, April 17-19.

The performances begin at 8 p.m., Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Saturday, at the Byham Theater, Sixth Street, downtown. Tickets are $18-20, and are available by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412.392.8000 or at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.

This year’s curated evening of dance offers a sampling of styles from choreographers George Balanchine, Martha Graham, David Parsons and Dwight Rhoden.

Choreographed by Balanchine in 1934, Serenade was staged for the Conservatory Dance Company by Joysanne Sidimus. The Russian-born Balanchine, who died in 1983, is regarded as the foremost contemporary choreographer in the world of ballet. His more than 400 works of dance include Serenade, The Nutcracker, Orpheus, Symphony in Three Movements and Vienna Waltzes.

Miki Orihara stages Graham’s Steps in the Street, an excerpt from Chronicle. The program note from its 1936 premiere at the Guild Theatre in New York said, “Chronicle does not attempt to show the actualities of war; rather, by evoking war’s images, it sets forth the fateful prelude to war, portrays the devastation of the spirit which it leaves in its wake, and suggests an answer.”

Parsons’ Wolfgang was commissioned by and created for the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet in 2005. Staged by Elizabeth Koeppen, it features Mozart’s Symphony No. 25. Parsons was a leading dancer with The Paul Taylor Dance Company, where Taylor created many roles for Parsons in works such as Arden Court, Last Look and Roses. The New York Times called Parsons “one of the great movers of modern dance.”

Gary W. Jeter II stages Rhoden’s work, Mercy. Called “one of the most sought out choreographers of the day” by The New York Times, Rhoden has performed with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Les Ballet Jazz De Montreal and as a principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. In 1994, he and Desmond Richardson founded Complexions Contemporary Ballet and, together, have brought their unique brand of contemporary dance to the world for two decades.

2013-2014 Season Finale Features Festive, Grand-scale Classic April 11-13, at the Benedum

PITTSBURGH, PA – A ballet for the adventurous and imaginative, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre concludes its 2013-2014 Season with the daring “Don Quixote,” presented with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra April 11-13, at the Benedum Center.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s production of “Don Quixote,” staged by PBT Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr, features elaborate sets, bold costumes and classical choreography with a Spanish flair. Inspired by the literary classic, “Don Quixote” has mesmerized audiences with complex choreography, balletic bravado and virtuoso variations for more than a century.

WATCH/LISTEN:  ‘Burgh Vivant’s interview with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Artistic Director, Terrence S. Orr

“Don Quixote” premiered in 1869 at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow with choreography by Marius Petipa, considered the “father of classical ballet.” This production was later restaged by Alexander Gorsky, and the resulting Petipa/Gorsky version has endured today. The intricate footwork and bravura performances of “Don Quixote” showcase the technique, artistry and athleticism of PBT dancers. At the height of its virtuosic variations, the show-stopping grand pas de deux of the wedding scene is considered to be one of the most technically-demanding sequences in classical ballet. Set to one of Ludwig Minkus’ most masterful ballet scores, the vibrancy of the production comes to life through charismatic characters, comedic touches and tour de force dancing.

“’Don Quixote’ features some of the most exciting dancing in classical ballet,” said PBT Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr.  “This is a rich and festive production that brings together themes of love, hope and adventure and, throughout, keeps the virtuosic choreography front and center.”

The novel “Don Quixote de la Mancha” by Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes was published in two installments in 1605 and 1615. The story follows the extravagant Spanish nobleman Alonso Quixana as he seeks adventure under the pseudonym Don Quixote. Along with his sidekick Sancho Panza, Don Quixote bravely sets out to revive chivalry. The novel has long been considered a classic because of its comedic approach to themes of courage, idealism and deception. The ballet portrays episodes of this classic novel.

Danced in three acts, “Don Quixote” tells the story of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza as they set out to find Dulcinea, Don Quixote’s version of the ideal woman. In a village, they encounter Kitri, the daughter of Lorenzo. In the midst of the excitement surrounding Don Quixote’s visit, Kitri runs away with her lover, Basilio, to escape an arranged marriage to the vain nobleman Gamache. Don Quixote and Sancho Panza follow, believing that Kitri is Don Quixote’s Dulcinea. When they find the lovers, however, Don Quixote realizes that Kitri belongs with Basilio. In one of the ballet’s most famous scenes, Don Quixote foolishly attacks a windmill he thinks is endangering his Dulcinea. Lorenzo and Gamache eventually catch up with the runaways and try to force Kitri to marry Gamache. Basilio, her true love, pretends to commit suicide, and Kitri cleverly convinces her father to allow her to wed her lover’s “corpse.”

Lorenzo finally gives in to his daughter’s wishes, and at once Basilio “comes back to life.” Lorenzo and Gamache reluctantly accept Kitri’s choice, and Kitri and Basilio are happily married at the ballet’s conclusion. Don Quixote congratulates the happy couple and continues his lifelong quest for honor and adventure.

Tickets start at $25.75, and can be purchased online at www.pbt.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or visiting the Box Office at Theater Square.

Show Times:

·         Friday, April 11, at 8 p.m.

·         Saturday, April 12, at 2 p.m.

·         Saturday, April 12, at 8 p.m.

·         Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Jewish Community Centers to Present
Discussion Series Exploring the Heritage of the Ballet

PITTSBURGH, PA – As one of three featured works in its March mixed repertory performance, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will present the Pittsburgh premiere of Julia Adam’s “Ketubah” – inspired by traditional Jewish wedding rituals – March 7-16, at the August Wilson Center.

“Ketubah” is a critically acclaimed, lively, contemporary ballet inspired by the Eastern European Jewish Ashkenazi wedding ritual. Choreographer Julia Adam drew upon her own family roots when creating the piece for Houston Ballet in 2004. Set to Klezmer music, the performance follows one young couple from matchmaking to their wedding night. A vibrant ensemble of 16 dancers and evocative use of fabric depict and honor the mikvah, veil, chuppah, and other rituals and traditions that comprise a Jewish marriage celebration. The title, “Ketubah,” refers to the marriage contract signed by the bride and groom on their wedding day. Adam creates a hybrid movement vocabulary of ballet, modern and Israeli folk dance to set the customs in motion.
                                                                                    
Leading up to its main-stage performance, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre presents several opportunities to explore the inspiration and heritage behind the ballet:

·         Ketubah Display
February 10 – March 16, 2014; American Jewish Museum of the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh

Visitors can view the artistry and sentiment of the ballet’s namesake in five works from private collections.

·         Pointe of View Salons
February 25, 2014, at 7 p.m. –  JCC of Greater Pittsburgh Squirrel Hill
February 27, 2014, at 7 p.m. – JCC, South Hills

Explore the ballet, ketubah art and symbolism, and the cultural history of Jewish wedding traditions. Presenters: Rabbi Donni Aaron, a Jewish educator of JCC Pittsburgh; artist Judy Perlow; and Lisa Auel of PBT’s Education Department.

·         OSHER Evening Lecture Series
March 4, 2014 at  7:30 p.m.; McConomy Auditorium, Carnegie Mellon University

An esteemed panel will discuss the ballet’s unique connections between the rich cultural heritage of ballet, of the ketubah as an artifact and art form, and of Jewish marriage customs. Panelists will include PBT Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr; choreographer Julia Adam; James A. Gibson, Senior Rabbi at Temple Sinai, and artist Judy Perlow. This event is presented in collaboration with CMU’s OSHER Life-long Learning Institute.

About 3×3 at the August Wilson Center
PBT pushes the boundaries of ballet in “3×3,” a mixed repertory program showcasing an unconventional exploration of ballet musicality and movement. In addition to “Ketubah,” the program features a PBT world premiere by choreographer Viktor Plotnikov and Dwight Rhoden’s jazz-inspired “Smoke ‘n Roses” set to the live vocals of Pittsburgh’s own Etta Cox. “3×3” takes the stage March 7-16, for two weekends at the August Wilson Center. Tickets start at $25.75, and can be purchased online at www.pbt.org, by calling 412-456-6666 or visiting the Box Office at Theater Square.

About Choreographer Julia Adam  
Canadian-born Julia Adam received her early training in her hometown of Ottawa, Ontario, and at age thirteen began studies at the National Ballet School in Toronto, graduating in 1983. She spent the next five years honing her skills at the National Ballet of Canada. In 1988, Julia joined the San Francisco Ballet, where she finished the remainder of her dancing career, gaining prestige as a principal dancer known for her lyricism, musicality and broad theatrical range. After retiring from dancing in 2002, Adam was able to devote more time to her love and talent for choreography. She created her first ballet, The Medium is the Message, in 1993 for San Francisco Ballet’s Choreographic Workshop, drawing much attention for her uncanny wit and unique sense of movement. Since then she has created a number of works for companies, including Marin Ballet, The Bay Area Dance Series, Ballet Met, Alberta Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Houston Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theater, Atlanta Ballet and Nashville Ballet among others.