6abc Loves the Arts: Pennsylvania Ballet triple bill

The Pennsylvania Ballet is closing its season with an action-packed triple bill.

The program is called Re/Action and it features some of George Balanchine's most famous duets sandwiched between a company and a world premiere.

The company premiere is Christopher Wheeldon's award-winning Rush, which debuted in 2004.

"Like the name says, it's rush. It's really quick with the dancers just moving on stage from side to side, so it's a great, great energetic ballet to start the program," explains Angel Corella, Artistic Director of the Pennsylvania Ballet.

It's followed by three of Balanchine's classic duets including a piece choreographed to the music of Tchaikovsky that, Corella says, was originally intended for Swan Lake. "The Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, is a very demanding, technical ballet, which all the steps are very, very fast and very bright.

Tarantella is inspired by Italian folk music while Rubies portrays the fast-paced style of New York City.

"It's really energetic but, the same time, really fun," promises Corella, who adds that the duets will feature principal dancer Amy Aldridge, who is retiring this season.

"She has been a principal dancer for 22 years with the company, and we want to celebrate her career," says Corella, "we're really going to miss her."

Aldridge will also dance one of the leads in the world premiere of resident choreographer Matthew Neenan's Somnolence.

"It's about you know that moment where we're about to fall asleep," says Corella, who describes it as a very big production that will serve as a celebration of Aldridge's long career with the Pennsylvania Ballet. "It's going to be very personal and really beautiful."

And this being the last show of the season, the ballet is giving a little tease of what's to come next year. "It's a little surprise, extra for the audience," says Corella. "People shouldn't go to the theater; they should run to theater!"

The Pennsylvania Ballet performs Re/Action May 11-14 at the Academy of Music. You can find tickets and show times at www.TheArtsinPhilly.org.

For a chance to win free tickets to shows around the region, follow @TheArtsinPhilly.