ABT Stars Gomes, Riccetto Appear At Dances Patrele Free Celebration 4/13

Dances Patrele 20th Anniversary Celebration begins at Barnes & Nobel Lincoln Triangle, 1972 Broadway (at 65th Street) on Monday, April 13th at 7:00 pm. The Free event is a celebration, talk and CD/book signing in honor of the company's 20th Anniversary and the premiere of MURDER AT THE MASQUE. Featuring author Justin Allen, choreographer Francis Patrelle, composer Patrick Soluri, Prima Ballerina Cynthia Gregory and ABT stars Marcelo Gomes and Maria Riccetto. In addition there will be a preview of the children's divertissement from MURDER AT THE MASQUE, which will be performed by student dancers from local ballet schools. The event is an all ages extravaganza featuring music, dance, literature and tall-tales of the dance stage.

DANCES PATRELLE's 20th Repertory Season is being performed at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th Street between Park & Lexington Avenues) from Thursday, April 16th through Sunday, April 19th. The diverse and exciting program celebrating 20 years of creativity will include 2 dramatic ballets by Francis Patrelle: a World Premiere as well as a past dance classic staged by Cynthia Gregory.

The world premiere will be "Murder At The Masque; the casebook of Edgar Allan Poe" choreography by Francis Patrelle to a commissioned score by Patrick Soluri, and a story by Justin Allen. It has set design by Gillian Bradshaw-Smiths, costumes by Rita B. Watson, and lighting by David Grill. This is also the 200th Anniversary of the birth of one of America's most treasured literary masters, Edgar Allan Poe. Featuring characters and settings drawn from Poe's stories and poems. Lord Roderick Usher (danced by Royal Ballet alum Matthew Dibble) has been murdered; everyone at the Masquerade Ball is a suspect, and world famous detective Auguste Dupin (danced by "Movin' Out" alum Alex Brady) is on the case.

"Come Rain/Come Shine" (to songs sung by Judy Garland) with American Ballet Theatre star Marcelo Gomes, Maria Riccetto, Kristi Boone, Isaac Stappas, Gemma Bond & Roman Zhurbin. This is Judy Garland's 40th Anniversary of her death. Staging is by Cynthia Gregory with the set by Mark Di Quinzio, costumes by Rita B. Watson, lighting by David Gill and the song collage by Jerry Rice

(artists subject to change) Artistic Director, Francis Patrelle has created ballets for many distinguished dancers such as: Lynn Aaron, Merrill Ashley, Frank Augustyn, Peter Boal, Judith Fugate, Marcelo Gomez, Karen Kain, Lourdes Lopez, Douglas Martin, John Meehan, Daniel Mejia, Kevin O'Day, Johnathan Riseling, Jenifer Ringer, Jock Soto, Miranda Weese, Tim Wengerd, Donald Williams, and Prima Ballerina Cynthia Gregory to only name a few. He studied ballet in Philadelphia before receiving his BFA from Juilliard, where he studied with Alfredo Corvino, Jose Limon, and Antony Tudor. In 1980, he began choreographing for opera companies (Vienna State and Santa Fe). This led to Willie Stark, directed by Harold Prince for the Houston Grand Opera, which was televised on PBS's Great Performers Series as well as performed at the Kennedy Center. He also has many theater credits. Mr. Patrelle has worked with a wide range of companies throughout the word. 

Dances Patrelle 20th Anniversary performances are Thursday at 7:30pm; Friday & Saturday at 8pm; and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets are only $20 for all performances with a few special Patron tickets at $100. There is a special Opening Night Patron tickets for $200 which includes a reception following the performance. For reservations call dP (212) 722-7933. Tickets can be purchased at The Kaye Playhouse box office at (212) 772-4448. The Spring 2009 season is made possible by The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Inc. and The Harkness Foundation For Dance.

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