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🩰 PBT Brings You Ballet Under the Stars ✨ at Hartwood Acres

Pittsburgh Ballet Theater Returns to Hartwood Acres for FREE family fun and show under the stars

August 12, 2021

Your favorite end-of-summer tradition is back!  Join The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater on Sunday, Aug. 22 for Ballet Under the Stars. Gather your family and friends, pack your picnic basket and head over to beautiful Hartwood Acres for some late afternoon family fun, followed by an evening of outdoor ballet – all free to the public! Learn more.


FREE PRE-SHOW FAMILY FUN: 5 – 7 P.M.

Festivities kick off at 5 p.m. with food trucks, free crafts and dance lessons led by PBT staff.




VIP PICNIC IN THE PARK: 5 – 7 P.M.

Limited availability. Register today!
Join fellow ballet enthusiasts under the VIP tent for wine, dinner catered by Sprezzatura and the opportunity to meet PBT artists and staff!
$75 per adult | $20 per child
Make a VIP Ticket Reservation Here


FREE PERFORMANCE: 7:30 P.M.

Arrive early with picnic blankets and chairs to stake out your spot on the lawn, and enjoy a relaxing evening of lovely music and breathtaking ballet. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates!
Casting below subject to change.

Excerpts from the full-length ballet Paquita

Choreography by Marius Petipa | Staged by Susan Jaffe, Marianna Tcherkassky, Steven Annegarn
Music by Édouard Deldevez and Ludwig Minkus

Gabrielle Thurlow          Yoshiaki Nakano

1st Variation, Jessica McCann
2nd Variation, Marisa Grywalski
3rd Variation, Alexandra Kochis
4th Variation, Diana Yohe

Erin Casale, Christian Garcia Campos, Madeline Gradle, Tommie Kesten, Caitlyn Mendicino, Amanda Morgan, Grace Rookstool, Victoria Watford

Paquita Grand Pas Classique from Act III – The full-length story takes place in Spain during the presence of Napoleon’s army. The heroine is the young gypsy girl, Paquita. Unbeknownst to Paquita, she is really of noble birth, having been abducted by gypsies when she was an infant. She saves the life of a young French officer, Lucien d’Hervilly, who is the target of a Spanish governor who desires to have him killed by Iñigo, a gypsy chief. By way of a medallion she discovers that she is of noble birth, being in fact the cousin of Lucien. As such, she and the Officer are able to get married.

The Quiet Dance

Choreographed by Kyle Abraham
Music: Some Other Time by Leonard Bernstein played by Bill Evans

Jessica McCann
Jonathan Breight, Tommie Kesten, Cooper Verona, Victoria Watford

The Quiet Dance (2011) is a quintet set to Bill Evan’s sentimental rendition of the Bernstein classic, Some Other Time. Abraham is a Pittsburgh Native who began his dance training at Pittsburgh CLO and graduated from Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Creative and Performing Arts Magnet School (CAPA). He has received numerous distinguished awards, including the Princess Grace Award for Choreography and a MacArthur Genius grant.

Three – 4,6,8

Choreographed by Helen Pickett
Music by Philip Glass: Einstein on the Beach: Knee Play 1

Corey Bourbonniere, Kurtis Sprowls, Josiah Kauffman

Helen Pickett, an award-winning American choreographer for dance on stage and film, has created a world premiere for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. Three – 4,6,8 makes its debut as a highly energized, architectural and kinetic contemporary dance for three men. It is rich and complex, while embracing camaraderie, competition and community.

Excerpts from the full-length ballet Napoli

Choreography by August Bournonville | Staged by Henning Albrechtsen
Music by Edvard Helsted and Holger Simon Paulli

Pas de Six
Gabrielle Thurlow, Joseph Parr, Victoria Watford          Erin Casale, Lucius Kirst, Amanda Morgan

1st Variation, Masahiro Haneji
2nd Variation, Diana Yohe
3rd Variation, Colin McCaslin
4th Variation, William Moore
5th Variation, JoAnna Schmidt
6th Variation, Tommie Kesten
7th Variation, Amanda Morgan

Tarentella
Erin Casale, Christian Garcia Campos, Tommie Kesten, Amanda Morgan, JoAnna Schmidt, Gabrielle Thurlow, Victoria Watford, Diana Yohe

Corey Bourbonniere, Jonathan Breight, Masahiro Haneji, Lucius Kirst, Colin McCaslin, William Moore, Joseph Parr, Cooper Verona

Napoli, or The Fisherman and His Bride, was choreographed in 1842 by August Bournonville for Denmark’s Royal Ballet. Set in Italy, the ballet tells the story of Gennaro, a poor fisherman, and his beloved Teresina, as they overcome forces that attempt to thwart their love. The Pas de Six and Tarantella are from the lively and exuberant wedding celebration in Act 3.  Napoli is a beautiful example of Bournonville’s signature style, which includes fast, technically difficult footwork and jumps that are executed with joy.

COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICIES

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre remains committed to monitoring and following current government requirements and public health guidelines. COVID-19 mitigation measures have been lifted in Pennsylvania, and the order requiring universal face coverings has been lifted statewide. PBT will provide updates on its website and social media pages if changes to state and government guidelines affect this event.