{"id":41339,"date":"2018-11-08T15:02:11","date_gmt":"2018-11-08T20:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=41339"},"modified":"2018-11-09T15:01:26","modified_gmt":"2018-11-09T20:01:26","slug":"on-stage-pennsylvania-ballet-starts-season-with-a-classic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/?p=41339","title":{"rendered":"On Stage: Pennsylvania Ballet starts season with a classic"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, Entertainment Editor, The Times<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Ji\u0159\u00ed Kyli\u00e1n\u2019s \u201cPetite Mort\u201d at the Pennsylvania Ballet<\/p><\/div>\n

Year after year, the Pennsylvania Ballet has been able to present a season schedule that has just the right balance between the old and the new \u2026the right mixture of traditional and contemporary.<\/p>\n

The Pennsylvania Ballet and Artistic Director Angel Corella kicked off the 2018-2019 season at the Academy of Music with a classic ballet — Sir Kenneth MacMillan\u2019s \u201cRomeo & Juliet.\u201d<\/p>\n

From December 7-13, Corella and his talented dancers will return to the Academy of Music to celebrate the company\u2019s 50th<\/sup> season of performing \u201cThe Nutcracker.\u201d<\/p>\n

In between the two productions of timeless ballets, the Pennsylvania Ballet is presenting a contemporary program comprised of three ballets — Ji\u0159\u00ed Kyli\u00e1n\u2019s \u201cPetite Mort,\u201d along with world premieres from award-winning choreographer and Pennsylvania Ballet company member Russell Ducker, and Gallim Dance founder and artistic director, Andrea Miller. The program will run from November 8-11 at the Merriam Theater.<\/p>\n

The piece by Ducker, which is the show\u2019s final number, is titled \u201cThis Divide.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ducker, who is from Basingstoke, United Kingdom, graduated from the Royal Ballet Upper School, Covent Garden in 2007. In 2006, he won the Pamela Self Award for dance. While in school, Ducker performed with the Royal Ballet in its productions of\u202fSwan Lake,\u202fOnegin, The Nutcracker. (He joined Pennsylvania Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet in the 2014\/2015 season and has since danced in a range of classical and contemporary works, including Christopher Wheeldon\u2019s Swan Lake.<\/p>\n

Prior to Pennsylvania Ballet, Ducker performed with Angel Corella and Friends. He later joined Corella\u2019s Barcelona Ballet, where he danced various soloist and principal roles. He also choreographed several ballets for the company, many of which enjoyed international premieres. His choreography with Barcelona Ballet includes Built to Fall Apart, Argon, Epimetheus, and In the Wake of Bliss.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worked with Angel in Spain for eight years,\u201d said Ducker, during a phone interview earlier this week. \u201cWhen he took a position in Philadelphia, I was able to follow.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m lucky that he\u2019s had confidence in my choreography. For this show, he approached me. I had choreographed a couple pieces for the Pennsylvania Ballet\u2019s Second Company and he felt it was the right time for me to have a go with the major company.\u201d<\/p>\n

That was the birth of \u201cThis Divide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAngel said he needed it to be a \u2018closer\u2019 \u2013 the piece that would close the show on a high note,\u201d said Ducker. \u201cHe wanted a high energy piece \u2013 something that contrasted with the first two pieces, both of which are subtle with nuances.\u201c<\/p>\n

\u2018This Divide\u2019 is about division and conflict. I divided the dancers into two groups and divided the stage into two levels with a movable staircase. The dancers dance on the stairs. There is also a third level with dancers in the pit. I wanted to have an interesting way to use the space on the stage..\u201d<\/p>\n

Ducker looked to a Pennsylvania composer for the piece\u2019s score \u2013 the late Glenn Branca.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe score is a piece composed by Glenn Branca, who was from Harrisburg,\u201d said Ducker. \u201cI first learned of him when I read his obituary on New York Times back in May. This is paying homage to him. He was a modern composer whose roots were in rock music. I was impressed by his music and went through his whole back catalog. He was radical.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy piece has two sections. One is a heavy drum line and the second section is very atmospheric. It\u2019s 22 minutes running time with no pauses. It\u2019s quite demanding for the dancers. I\u2019s a very physical piece that features 15 dancers. The ballet will be a journey for the dancers.\u201d<\/p>\n

The program\u2019s showcase piece will be Ji\u0159\u00ed Kyli\u00e1n\u2019s \u201cPetite Mort.\u201d
\nCreated for the Nederlands Dans Theater in 1991 in honor of the Salzburg Festival on the second centenary of Mozart\u2019s death, Ji\u0159\u00ed Kyli\u00e1n\u2019s \u201cPetite Mort\u201d is danced to slow segments of two of Mozart\u2019s most beautiful and adored piano concertos, Nos.21 and 23. The choreography incorporates subtle sexual imagery, exploring the concept with characteristic wit, humor, and eroticism.<\/p>\n

According to Corella, \u201cPetite Mort is one of the true masterpieces of the 20th century — beautiful, romantic, and moving all at all once. It\u2019s wonderful to see our dancers truly immerse themselves in movement that creates poetry with their bodies, making this the perfect opening to our November program.\u201d<\/p>\n

The third piece will be a world premiere by Andrea Miller.<\/p>\n

Known for her imaginative and visceral work, Miller is a world-renowned choreographer and creative director. She has developed a recognizable artistic voice of thrilling physicality, insatiable curiosity, and riveting emotion that pushes the boundaries of performance by continually discovering connections between movement and other forms of expression.<\/p>\n

Miller\u2019s works have been performed across the world \u2013 from London and Paris to New York City. Two years after graduating from Julliard, she founded Gallim Dance, a New York-based company whose mission has been described as realizing the \u201cendless human capacity for inspiration.\u201d Miller was also the 2017-2018 Artist in Residence at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the first choreographer to hold this position.<\/p>\n

According to Miller, \u201cAfter attending Pennsylvania Ballet\u2019s mixed repertoire program last November, I was very moved by the company. I look forward to working with the dancers to create a demanding and powerful piece that ranges from explosive power to subtle stillness. Together we will explore new movements that bring us out of our comfort zone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Pennsylvania Ballet\u2019s November program — https:\/\/youtu.be\/J9G23le-rW8<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The shows at the Merriam Theatre are scheduled for November 8 and 9 at 7:30 p.m., November 10 at 2 and 8 p.m. and November 11 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices range from $35-$79.<\/p>\n

There is another show beginning a multi-day run in Philadelphia on November 8.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

The UniverSoul Circus<\/p><\/div>\n

The UniverSoul Circus (52nd Street and Parkside Avenue, Philadelphia, 800-345-7000<\/a>, www.universoulcircus.com<\/a>), which opens on November 8, will be treating circus fans to a very different experience.<\/p>\n

The world-class circus\u2019 performances, which will be held in the UniverSoul Big Top next to the Mann Music Center, blend traditional circus attractions with urban culture, hip hop tunes and world beat music. It\u2019s the lively music that elevates the show to another level.<\/p>\n

The UniverSoul Circus is a top-flight live entertainment attraction that has captured the hearts and imaginations of a new generation of families.<\/p>\n

Celebrating its 25tht Anniversary, UniverSoul Circus has come full circle in its influence in the international entertainment marketplace \u2013 garnering the distinction of being known as a one-of-a-kind, must see attraction.<\/p>\n

Since its first performance in 1994, The UniverSoul Circus has presented more than 10,000 performances to live audiences, exceeding 20 million people, and has been seen in more than 60 million households on both local and national television networks. The Emmy-nominated HBO special remained in rotation for more than six years.<\/p>\n

UniverSoul connects with progressive, upwardly mobile, urban pop cultures from around the world. It embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of global cultures and ethnicities into a stellar production that blends circus arts, theater and music.<\/p>\n

Celebrating 25 years under the big top, UniverSoul Circus features music, theatrical performances, incredible circus acts and loads of fun. The show features acts from around the world including flashy Caribbean dancers, acrobats and high-flying trapeze artists, mind-boggling contortionists, funny clowns, lions, zebras and much more.<\/p>\n

The circus will be in town from November 8-December 2 at its site in Fairmount Park.<\/p>\n

Video link for UniverSoul Circus — https:\/\/youtu.be\/UatZSn1JJbQ<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at UniverSoul Big Top will run from November 8-December 2 with early afternoon, late matinee and evening performances. Ticket prices start at $22.<\/p>\n

Another multi-date show started this week in Philadelphia.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory<\/p><\/div>\n

The National Tour of \u201cCharlie and the Chocolate Factory\u201d is being presented now through November 18 at the Academy of Music (Broad and Locust streets, Philadelphia, 215-731-3333<\/a>, www.kimmelcenter.org<\/a>) as part of the Kimmel Center\u2019s 2018-2019 \u201cBroadway Philadelphia\u201d series.<\/p>\n

The tour features Noah Weisberg as Willy Wonka, James Young as Grandpa Joe and Amanda Rose as Mrs. Bucket.<\/p>\n

The story was originally inspired by Roald Dahl\u2019s experience of chocolate companies during his schooldays. Cadbury would often send test packages to the schoolchildren in exchange for their opinions on the new products.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a show about hope,\u201d said Young. \u201cThere are some real good lessons in it \u2013 like pulling everyone together. The film came out in the early 1960s. It\u2019s pretty iconic. The show stays very close to the movie but has been modernized a bit.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a dark edge but it\u2019s still good for children. We haven\u2019t heard any kids crying out there. The original novel is probably darker, Roald Dahl is a pretty dark writer.<\/p>\n

\u201cAudiences like this show because it\u2019s a wonderful story \u2013 a story of hope. It has good life lessons. It\u2019s a very joyful, fun production.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for \u201cCharlie and the Chocolate Factory\u201d \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/x0nN99ljvFk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show is running now through November 18 at the Academy of Music. Ticket prices range from $25-$139.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

David Cook<\/p><\/div>\n

David Cook, who will be headlining a show on November 8 at the World Caf\u00e9 Live (3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1400<\/a>, www.worldcafelive.com<\/a>) has a CV that is similar to that of many of acts that perform at the venue and, at the same time, very dissimilar.<\/p>\n

Cook is a singer-songwriter who is equally at home performing with a band or doing solo shows with just him and his guitar. That\u2019s the similar part.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, not many acts can match some of Cook\u2019s other entertainment accomplishments. He was the winner on Season 7 of \u201cAmerican Idol\u201d in 2008. Earlier this year, Cook played the leading role in the Broadway production of \u201cKinky Boots.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cook immediately launched to stardom following his Season 7 American Idol title. He broke several Billboard chart records when 14 of his songs debuted on the Hot Digital Songs chart and 11 of his songs debuted on the Hot 100 and went on to sell more than two million albums — including his certified platinum eponymous album. His 2015 studio album, \u201cDigital Vein\u201d debuted in the Top 5 on the Billboard Pop Chart.<\/p>\n

When Cook performs at the World Caf\u00e9 Live, he will not be an American Idol reliving his past, a Broadway star or a sensitive singer-songwriter sitting on a stool accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. He will be a rock musician touring in support of a recently-released EP. His new record \u201cChromance\u201d was released in February 2018.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Chromance\u2019 is my most recent collection,\u201d said Cook, during a phone interview last week. \u201cI\u2019m certainly still pushing that one. But, at the same time, the momentum is heading forward \u2013 on to the next one. I\u2019ve got a band behind me on this tour \u2013 but it\u2019s still an acoustic tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cook suffered a bit of a setback recently that almost jeopardized the tour.<\/p>\n

\u201cI broke my hand two weeks before the tour started,\u201d said Cook. \u201cI\u2019d like to have an exciting story about how it happened, but it just took place when I was letting the dogs out. I broke my left hand \u2013 and I\u2019m left-handed. Fortunately, I avoided needing surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n

On February 15, 2018, it was announced that Cook would be making his Broadway debut playing Charlie Price, in Kinky Boots on April 3, 2018, and would play a limited run through May 5. Cook returned to Kinky Boots for a second limited run from July 17-September 9, 2018.<\/p>\n

A few weeks ago, Cook announced that he would release his brand-new single \u201cDeath Of Me\u201d on October 26 to coincide with his highly-anticipated fall \u201cAcoustic Tour.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI finished my Broadway run with \u2018Kinky Boots\u2019 and went home to Nashville,\u201d said Cook. \u201cI wanted to write a song, record it and out it out to accompany the tour. I got in the studio in Nashville and it took just three days for the whole thing. It was self-produced. I try to bring in universal themes. This song is about rebellion.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis tour is kind of a mix of new stuff and older material that we\u2019ve been playing for 10 years. Trying to re-work the older songs for an acoustic tour was a fun challenge. And, it\u2019s fun to get to perform these songs in a fresh light.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cook\u2019s songs and his diverse career stages have brought him fans from all walks of life.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith \u2018American Idol\u2019 and \u2018Kinky Boots,\u2019 it\u2019s been a unique career path,\u201d said Cook. \u201cWhat \u2018Idol\u2019 has done for my career has been immeasurable. \u2018Idol\u2019 at its best is a great avenue to find new talent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for David Cook — https:\/\/youtu.be\/koKubQMiQe4<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the World Caf\u00e9 Live, which has Matt Hires as the opening act, will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $28.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the World Caf\u00e9 Live are Darwin Deez on November 9, Steve Forbert on November 9, Jennifer Knapp on November 10,<\/p>\n

KT Tunstall on November 13, Elliott Murphy on November 13 and Alan Doyle and Whitney Rose on November 14.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Sister Sparrow<\/p><\/div>\n

When Sister Sparrow takes the stage for a show, it\u2019s like a modern version of a soul band fronted by a female vocalist like Aretha Franklin \u2013 or a concert by the Tedeschi Trucks Band minus the guitar fireworks of Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi.<\/p>\n

Sister Sparrow, a rocking soul band fronted by Sister Sparrow (a.k.a. Arleigh Kincheloe), just released a new album, \u201cGold,\u201d and will be perfomoing songs from the LP at a show on November 9 at the Theatre of the Living Arts (334 South Street, Philadelphia, 215-222-1011<\/a>, http:\/\/www.lnphilly.com<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m back home after just doing a Midwest tour,\u201d said Kincheloe, during a phone interview from her home in New York\u2019s Hudson Valley. \u2018Getying a little bit of fresh air here is helping. It\u2019s nice to come back to someplace quiet.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn tour, it\u2019s me and seven guys. We have Matt Osborne on keyboards, Jackson Kincheloe on harmonica and lap steel, Josh Myers on bass, Dan Boyden on drums, Phil Rodriguez on trumpet and Brian Graham on sax. We\u2019ve been playing with a few different guitar players. Right now, it\u2019s Mark Marshall. In the earlier days, guitar was more upfront. This time, it\u2019s more piano sound.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kincheloe first put the band together in 2008 and released the debut album, \u201cSister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds,\u201d in 2010. But, Kincheloe\u2019s music history goes further back than 2008.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy parents are musicians,\u201d said Kincheloe. \u201cMy dad is a drummer and my mom sings. My dad has a band called Blues maneuver. I\u2019d tag along to their shows. He let me sing onstage when I was nine. I just had a natural way about it. My dad still plays drums in that band \u2013 but he\u2019s also a full-time history teacher. My brother Jackson and I have always played music together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGold,\u201d which was released on October 12 via Thirty Tigers, is Sister Sparrow\u2019s fifth album. The band released \u201cPound of Dirt\u201d in 2012, \u201cThe Weather Below\u201d in 2016 and a live album, \u201cFowl Play,\u201d in 2016. The new album was produced by Carter Matschullat.<\/p>\n

Together, they took the classic brass-fueled Dirty Birds sound and turned it into something altogether new — a soul-blasted contemporary pop sound both timeless yet utterly now. Most of the band\u2019s earlier records were done with more of a live vibe.<\/p>\n

\u201cI met Carter during a writing session for the song \u2018Gold,\u2019\u201d said Kincheloe. \u201cI really liked working with him on that one song. So, we decided that he should produce the record. We did it in Brooklyn at a studio in Greenpoint.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started making the album before my pregnancy. I worked on it during my pregnancy. Then, we did the bulk of the work after my son was born. I only had a few hours a day because I had a young baby to take care of so Carter worked a lot on it on his own without me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Now, Sparrow and her bandmates are bringing the new songs to life as they tour back-and-forth across the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbout one-third of our live show is songs from \u2018Gold,\u2019\u201d said Kincheloe. \u201cWe\u2019re also doing songs from all our records \u2013 including \u2018Untie My Shoelaces\u2019 from our very first record.\u201d<\/p>\n

Video link for Sister Sparrow \u2013 https:\/\/youtu.be\/9vs3zpNj8nk<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The show at the Theatre of the Living Arts, which has Levee Drivers, as the opening act will start at 8 p.m. Tickets are $17.<\/p>\n

Other upcoming shows at the TLA are Max on November 10, Saves the Day on November 11, Tasha Cobbs on November 12, Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians on November 13 and Hobo Johnson on November 14.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Ha Ha Tonka<\/p><\/div>\n

Kennett Flash (102 Sycamore Alley, Kennett Square, 484-732-8295<\/a>,\u00a0http:\/\/www.kennettflash.org<\/a>) presents Brian Filone\u2019s Bowie Experience – A Tribute to David Bowie on November 9, Ha Ha Tonka and Apache Trails on November 10, and We Kids Rock Guitar Lesson Showcase on November 14.<\/p>\n

The Steel City Coffee House (203 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-4043<\/a>, www.steelcitycoffeehouse.com<\/a>) will host Jutaun and Lily Anel on November 9, \u201cThe Beatlws Breadbasket: Benefit for PACS\u201d on November 10 and the Philadelphia Main Line Ukulele Group on November 11.<\/p>\n

The Ardmore Music Hall (23 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, 610-649-8389<\/a>,\u00a0www.ardmoremusic.com<\/a>) will host Marcus Miller with special guest Daniel Weatherspoon on November 8, Star Kitchen featuring members of Disco Biscuits, Eric Krasno Band, Lauryn Hill on November 9, Yonder Mountain String Band with special guest Brad Parsons on November 10, and The Travelin\u2019 McCourys with special guest Hezekiah Jones on November 14.<\/p>\n

The Keswick Theater (291 N. Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 215-572-7650<\/a>,\u00a0www.keswicktheatre.com<\/a>) hosts Iron & Wine on November 8, Lucia Micarelli on November 9, Richard Thompson on November 10 and Gary Trudeau on November 13.<\/p>\n

The Sellersville Theater (24 West Temple Avenue, Sellersville, 215-257-5808<\/a>,\u00a0www.st94.com<\/a>) will present Norman Taylor on November 8, Humble Pie on November 9, Trout Fishing In America on November 10, Joe Conklin on November 10, Celtica: Pipes Rock with First Highland Watch on November 11, Survivorman: Les Stroud on November 12, and The Alarm with Velvet Shelter on November 13.<\/p>\n

The Locks at Sona (4417 Main Street, Manayunk, 484- 273-0481<\/a>, sonapub.com<\/a>) will have Rik Emmett & Dave Dunlop on November 9, John Byrne Band on November 10, and Andy Cabic (Vetiver) and Eric Johnson (Fruit Bats) on November 14.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times Year after year, the Pennsylvania Ballet has been able to present a season schedule that has just the right balance between the old and the new \u2026the right mixture of traditional and contemporary. The Pennsylvania Ballet and Artistic Director Angel Corella kicked off the 2018-2019 season at the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":41341,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8457],"tags":[11691,10056,7426,8000,11703,11702],"class_list":["post-41339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-d-arts-entertainment","tag-charlie-and-the-chocolate-factory","tag-david-cook","tag-featured","tag-pennsylvania-ballet","tag-sister-sparrow","tag-the-universoul-circus"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=41339"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":41360,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41339\/revisions\/41360"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/41341"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=41339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.unionvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=41339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}