Conservatory Dance Company performs impressive lineup at the Byham Theatre Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Point Park University's Conservatory Dance Company will perform their annual concert at the Byham Theater in the Cultural District Feb. 24 - 26. The concert will feature signature works choreographed by dance luminaries George Balanchine, Bill T. Jones, Trey McIntyre and Toru Shimazaki.
George Balanchine's Valse Fantaisie is set to music by Mikhail Glinka and has been described by New York Times critic Anna Kisselgoff as "a windswept pattern of pure dancing, attuned to the joyfulness of its waltz rhythms."
The Bessie Award-winning D-Man in the Water by Bill T. Jones was created in honor of a company member, Demian Acquavella, who died of AIDS. It is an uplifting and accessible celebration of music and life set to the music of Felix Mendelsohn.
Trey McIntyre's Blue until June Suite was created in 2000 for the Washington Ballet. It is a sultry, bluesy, emotionally fluid piece set to music by the legendary Etta James.
Bardo by Toru Shimazaki was created for and premiered by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago in 2006. It is set to international rhythms by Dead Can Dance and presents a mystical and mysterious journey between life and the afterworld. Passionate, fiery and fiercely athletic, the dancers in Bardo weave their way through daring partnerships and striking visual images.
Conservatory Dance Company at the Byham runs February 24 - 26 on Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 - $20 and can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-392-8000 or online at www.pittsburghplayhouse.com. Student and group rates are available.