Photo Flash: Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre Presents THE BRITISH BEAT Tonight

Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre (PBDT), formerly known as the Media City Ballet Company, brings The British Beat to the Ford Theatres tonight, August 24, 2013, at 8:00 p.m. The British Beat presents dances to iconic works by British artists such as Sir Edward Elgar, The Beatles, Sir Elton John, Sting, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, and Adele, among others. This exciting production shows how British music influenced and inspired generations of musicians and dancers. Known for its Ballet Russes heritage, PBDT branches out from their traditional roots to pay homage to the British musical experience with an explosive dance and music retrospective. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the dancers in rehearsal!

In The British Beat, PBDT's artistic director Natasha Middleton combines a classical ballet foundation with the innovation the Ballets Russes and popular dance styles to capture the evolution of English dance and music. Athletically exciting dances and a strong sense of theatricality are showcased in this powerful production.

PBDT attracts first-class talent from around the world, including Armenia, Asia, Russia, and Spain. Dancers have previously danced with such companies as American Ballet Theatre, Armenian National Opera Ballet, the Bolshoi Theatre Ballet, the Kirov Opera and Ballet, the Korean National Ballet, and the Chicago Ballet. In addition, PBDT has worked with and developed many talented local dancers from Southern California.

Over 25 professional and company dancers perform in The British Beat, many of whom have their own professional careers, acting, dancing, singing and choreographing, and can be seen on TV, in music videos, and feature films. Featured dancers include Chris Trousdale, who also sings, was a member of the popular boy band Dream Street, is in the new Disney show "Shake it Up," and is recording a dance/pop CD; Alexander Fost from "So You Think You Can Dance;" and Allan McCormick who has just returned from performing in "La Rêve" in Las Vegas as a dancer, acrobat and aerialist.

"When the audience watches this show, they are going to be thrilled reliving the British Invasion all the way through to the millennium," explains Natasha Middleton, PBDT's Artistic Director.

Tickets start at $15-$35 and $12 for full-time students with ID and children 12 and under. VIP packages start at $65 and include premium seating and a pre-performance reception. Tickets are available at www.FordTheatres.org or (323) 461-3673 (for non-visual media (323) GO 1-FORD). For groups of 8 or more, call (323) 769-2147. Visit www.pacificballetdancetheatre.org for more information.

Photo Credit: Tom Pease

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