Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's 51st season opens with 'Cinderella'

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s 51st season will feature five productions running from October through May 2021.

The season is anchored, as always, by “The Nutcracker” for the Christmas season — in more than three weeks of performances.

The company also will present a version of “Cinderella” it hasn’t danced before, the classic ballet version of “The Merry Widow” and Derek Deane’s popular “Alice in Wonderland,” as well as the traditionally adventurous mixed program at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center.

The Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre Orchestra will play the music for Sergei Prokofiev’s “Cinderella” and Franz Lehar’s “The Merry Widow.”

The season was planned by Terrence Orr, who is retiring in June after 23 years as artistic director. It will be implemented by his successor, who is expected to be named in the spring.

Performances of Pittsburgh Ballet’s 2020-21 season are in the Benedum Center in Downtown Pittsburgh, except as noted:

“Cinderella,” Oct. 23-25. The classic fairy tale romance about Cinderella, her prince, the slippers and her nasty stepsisters will be presented in Kent Stowall’s production, which he created in in 1994 as founding director of Pacific Northwest Ballet in Seattle, Wash.

Stowall added several other pieces by Prokofiev to his sharp and witty score for this ballet.

“The Nutcracker,” Dec. 4-27. Orr’s production of this ballet has become a local classic since it was first presented in 2002. He sets the story in Pittsburgh, where Marie has a magical Christmas Eve. Uncle Drosselmeyer’s magic feats are wonderful in this production, and culminate in turning the nutcracker into Marie’s prince.

Together in Act II, they are feted colorfully by lively dancing in The Land of Enchantment. Tchaikovsky’s music for this ballet is famous for its magical charm, beauty and excitement.

“The Merry Widow,” Feb. 12-14, 2021. This ballet was created for The Australian Ballet in 1975 by choreographer Ronald Hynd and conductor John Lanchbery, who adapted the score to Franz Lehar’s famous operetta. The romantic story and its elegant costumes are perfect for ballet, with Count Danilo trying to save his country by marrying the ultra-rich widow Hanna in lavish Belle Epoque Paris.

“Modern Masters,” April 9-18, 2021, at the August Wilson Center. Programming that features contrasting and contemporary choreographic voices makes the ballet’s annual presentations at this wonderful venue a highlight of its seasons. Mark Morris’ “Maelstrom,” set to Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ghost Trio, is one of the American choreographer’s most celebrated achievements.

Spanish choreographer Nacho Duato creates a magical landscape in “Duende” by blending the human form with the shape of Claude Debussy’s music. The third piece will be selected by the company’s as-yet-unnamed new artistic director.

“Alice in Wonderland,” May 7-16, 2021. Derek Deane’s surreal production of Lewis Carroll’s famous tale is filled with fun, fantasy and illusion. It was created in 1995 for English National Ballet in London. The music is by Tchaikovsky as arranged and elaborated by Carl Davis.

Subscriptions cost $81 to $510. Single tickets will go on sale in August.

Details: pbt.org