Pennsylvania Ballet Kicks off New Season Tonight

Most of us probably have that memory of the school field trip to see The Nutcracker. Our teachers sent notes home a few weeks in advance, asking our parents to make sure we dressed up. Then, the day of, we all got on the bus (single-file, of course!) and headed downtown, into the theatre, where one of two things likely happened: either we were bored or we were in awe.

For those of us in the latter group (and even some in the former, who've outgrown their second-grade "ballet is boring" mentality), an evening at the ballet is surely a treat—and an evening at a performance by the Pennsylvania Ballet, one of the country's finest, is no exception. That's why we were thrilled to receive an invitation to the PA Ballet's "Program I," their opening performance of the season that will bring together three short works instead of an evening-length performance like The Nutcracker—in fact, The Nutcracker is one of only two evening-length works on this season's schedule (the other being John Cranko's choreography of Sergei Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet). "Program I" will feature choreography by George Balanchine and Agnes deMille, as well as a world premiere by BalletX's Matthew Neenan, whose work is much-admired by the Phillyist staff.

And, clocking in at just over an hour for the three pieces, the ballet's season opener promises to give you a big dose of culture without taking up too much of your time. Even those of us who were bored by ballet in grade school have enough attention span for that!

The Pennsylvania Ballet's "Program I"
Academy of Music (Broad and Locust Streets on the Avenue of the Arts)
October 21- 25, times vary
Tickets: $24-129