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Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) will make its debut at ��������Ƶ University on Saturday, March 26, 2011, at 7:30 pm, at the Carol Ann Reichgut Concert Hall in ��������Ƶ University's Performing Arts Center. The evening of mixed repertoire will include “A Gershwin Fantasy,” PBT's newest commissioned work, and “Step Touch,” set to the music of Pure Gold and Charlie Thomas’ Drifters. Tickets for the performance are $35; click here to purchase or call 724-836-8000. Premium tickets are also available for $100 and include a post-performance party with dancers and artistic staff at The Supper Club. To purchase premium tickets, call 412-454-9137.

"Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre (PBT) is only as valuable as the number of people who are uplifted, enriched and inspired by performances, educational programs and classical ballet training. That is why we are thrilled to have been welcomed to Greensburg and ��������Ƶ University. Now audiences in Westmorland County can reap the benefits of a top ranked ballet company in our region. PBT aspires to establish permanent venues beyond downtown Pittsburgh, grow statewide audiences and expand the scope and reach of one of America’s finest companies,” said Executive Director Harris Ferris.

“��������Ƶ is delighted to partner with the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County in hosting the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre,” said JoAnne Boyle, president. “We are thrilled that 'A Gershwin Fantasy,' and ‘Step Touch’ will debut in ��������Ƶ University's Performing Arts Center. The arts are very much alive in the City of Greensburg.”

"Community Foundation of Westmoreland County is proud to play a convening role to engage this world class ballet performance by The Pittsburgh Ballet Company with our community partners,” said Kirk Utzinger, executive director. “This collaborative effort is the first step of many to engage and invest in the performing arts and education, inspiring the lives of Westmoreland County residents young and young at heart. Bravo to all!”

"A Gershwin Fantasy"
PBT continues its long-standing commitment to bring world premiere works by ballet’s best and brightest choreographers to Pittsburgh audiences with "A Gershwin Fantasy." Recalling the glamour and sophistication of a by-gone era, "A Gershwin Fantasy" features Gershwin favorites, including “I Got Rhythm,” “’S Wonderful,” “They Can’t Take That Away From Me,” and “Shall We Dance.” Choreographer Viktor Plotnikov has performed with Donetsk Ballet Company, Ballet Mississippi and Tulsa Ballet Theatre. He has created works for Boston Ballet dancers, Boston Ballet II, the 2002 International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Miss., the Dancer’s Resource Fund and Richmond Ballet.

“Step Touch”
When first performed as part of PBT's "American Rhythms" program in March 2009, Dwight Rhoden’s “Step Touch” was met with audience acclaim. Set to the songs of Charlie Thomas’ Drifters and Pittsburgh’s own Pure Gold, Rhoden created a work that is energetic and fast-paced, combining his unique choreographic style with a hint of the classic doo wop movements. This seamless blending of Rhoden’s dynamic choreography and doo wop’s trademark vocal harmonies will have audiences singing along to such timeless tunes as “Under the Boardwalk,” “Up on the Roof” and “This Magic Moment.” A former principal dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Rhoden also performed with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company and Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal. He has created works for companies across the country, including Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet and The Pennsylvania Ballet. Currently, he and Desmond Richardson are co-directors of Complexions Inc.

Ticket Information: Tickets for the performance are $35; click here to purchase or call 724-836-8000. Premium tickets are also available for $100 and include a post-performance party with dancers and artistic staff at The Supper Club. To purchase premium tickets, call 412-454-9137.

Venue Information: The performance by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre will be held in the Carol Ann Reichgut Concert Hall in ��������Ƶ University's Performing Arts Center, 100 Harrison Avenue, Greensburg, Pa. The Performing Arts Center is a fully accessible and climate-controlled facility. Parking is available in four nearby Greensburg parking areas: the Bell Parking Garage on North Otterman Street (across the street from the Performing Arts Center), the Hellman-Ghrist lot on North Main Street, the Albert Grillo lot on ��������Ƶ Drive, and the Wib Albright lot off West Otterman Street.

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is a community based and internationally recognized professional ballet company that performs traditional and contemporary ballets and develops innovative new works. It seeks to perpetuate excellence in the art of ballet through performances, superior training of student dancers and community engagement initiatives.

��������Ƶ University's Performing Arts Center is 73,000 square feet of everything a performing arts major needs to move from student to professional. The Center houses two dedicated, flexible performance spaces, the Carol Ann Reichgut Concert Hall and the William Granger Ryan Theatre. The Center also includes a performance studio, new classrooms, rehearsal rooms and technical areas that include the best equipment for learning and performing, from Steinway pianos to the latest in lighting, sound, video and acoustics. The Center is located in downtown Greensburg, putting it squarely in the middle of the city’s cultural district yet still only minutes from ��������Ƶ’s main hilltop campus.