Pennsylvania Ballet Opens 50th Season with George Balanchine's JEWELS, Now thru 10/27

Pennsylvania Ballet opens its 50th Anniversary Season with George Balanchine's dazzling full-length masterpiece, Jewels, tonight, October 17-27, 2013 at the Academy of Music.

"I've wanted to do Jewels for 18 years! So our 50th Anniversary is the perfect opportunity to present this Company premiere," Artistic Director Roy Kaiser says. "It's an enormous undertaking and a fantastic tribute to Mr. Balanchine, who had an incredible impact on the founding of this Company and maintains an indelible legacy in its repertoire."

Inspired by the artistry of jewelry designer Claude Arpels, Jewels unfolds in three distinct sections - Emeralds, Rubies, and Diamonds - each with its own music and mood. Emeralds evokes the elegance of France, to the music of Gabriel Fauré. Rubies is influenced by Balanchine's experiences in America. The jazz-inflected Stravinsky score sends dancers zipping through the stage in Balanchine's definitively neoclassical style. The grandeur and regality of Imperial Russia are the inspiration for Diamonds, a nod to Balanchine's own heritage, as is the sumptuous Tschaikovsky score.

Tickets to Jewels are on sale now, starting at $30. Tickets are available online at paballet.org, by phone at 215.893.1999, and in person at the KimMel Center Box Office.

Jewels performances at the Academy of Music:
Thursday, October 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, October 26 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, October 27 at 2 p.m.

Pennsylvania Ballet kicks off this festive season with a glittering 50th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, October 19, presented by CIGNA. Cocktails start at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner and dancing with the dancers, all at The Crystal Ballroom in the Wanamaker Building. This year's event honors Pennsylvania Ballet founder Barbara Weisberger. Tickets for this black tie fundraiser are on sale now starting at $550 per person and $5,050 per table. Young Friends tickets are available for $200 for guests ages 21-39. For more information and tickets, please contact Special Events Manager Barbara Vogdes at 215.587.6916 or bvogdes(at)paballet(dot)org.

Pennsylvania Ballet thanks the city of Philadelphia for 50 years of support with A Gift to the City -- a free performance on Sunday, October 20 at 3 p.m. at the Academy of Music. WHYY will record the performance for national broadcast on PBS. This one-time-only matinee will feature marquee selections from the Company's past and present. All guests must register for a free ticket at paballet.org/free-performance. Tickets are first come, first serve.

Toast to the opening of our 50th Anniversary Season with a free Pre-Show Talk for all Jewels ticketholders on Friday, October 18 6:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel at Broad & Locust Streets. Enjoy a complimentary cocktail and get behind-the-scenes stories from the rehearsal studio. Guest(s) to be announced.

Groups of 10 or more get discounts and great seats! Ask about backstage tours, special talks with staff and dancers, and dining options near the theater for your group. For tickets and more information, please contact Group Sales Manager Arajua Backman at 215.587.6921 or abackman(at)paballet(dot)org.

Connect with us! Follow Pennsylvania Ballet on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube to go behind-the-scenes anytime, day or night.

2013-2014 Season subscriptions are on sale now at 215.893.1955 and at paballet.org. Subscribers enjoy the best seats at the best prices, personalized service, lost ticket insurance, flexible ticket exchanges, a monthly payment plan, discounted parking, and more.

Pennsylvania Ballet's 2013-2014 Season sponsors include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, The Sporting Club at the Bellevue, and US Airways.

Pennsylvania Ballet receives support from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts - a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency - and The Philadelphia Cultural Fund.

Founded in 1963 by Balanchine student and protégée Barbara Weisberger, Pennsylvania Ballet is one of the nation's leading ballet companies. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the Company's annual local season features six programs of classic favorites and new works, including the Philadelphia holiday tradition, George Balanchine's The Nutcracker. For more information, visit paballet.org or call 215.551.7000.

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