It's called Classic Innovations and it's actually three contemporary works ….all with cutting-edge choreography and in-your-face athleticism and all programmed together for the first time ever.
Dancers began rehearsals, this week, for the production, which kicks off with William Forsythe's Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude.
Roy Kaiser, the artistic director of the Pennsylvania Ballet says "It's just a really fierce high enerygy, non stop piece."
Next up is Polyphonia, a work that solidified Christopher Wheeldon's reputation as ballet's hottest choreographer.
Then there's In the Upper Room by Twyla Tharpe who, in the 1960s, pioneered the art of melding ballet with modern dance.
"There's a group of classical ballet dancers and there are a group of modern dancers that are actually wearing sneakers and performing the movement that they're performing and fusing together," Kaiser added.
While all of the works are contemporary, the styles are distinctly different as are the costumes, which range from traditional leotards to pajama-looking prison suits to vibrant Jetson-esque tutus.
Kaiser said, "I think this program is for, is really a perfect program for people who think they know what ballet is and think they don't like it."
Classic Innovations will be at the Merriam Theatre February 3rd through the 6th. For tickets, visit PABallet.org.
