Philadelphia’s largest dance company, Pennsylvania Ballet, will now be known as Philadelphia Ballet as it returns to live performances in its new venue.

“For me, it’s a natural fit. Most ballet companies have their city’s name because the community supports you,” says executive director Shelly Power. “I by no means want anyone to think we’re abandoning Pennsylvania, but it’s about our identity as one of the most important cities in America.”

Says company artistic director Angel Corella: “Philadelphia has an international recognition. It’s for the Philadelphia Orchestra, for the museums, for the opera — for the city, the city of love. And it’s got such a power that we wanted to feel even more attached to the city.”

The 2021-22 season will open at the intimate venue, Performance Garage. Philadelphia Ballet is not quite sure how comfortable audiences will be with returning to live performance in the fall and so the modest venue felt right. The October program features two world premieres: one by Corella set to a Philip Glass score, and another not yet announced.

Later in December, Philadelphia Ballet will step back into the normalcy of live performance with The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music, with full orchestra.

In February, the company has a run of performances in the Perelman Theater for the very first time in a program of works by Alba Castillo, Juliano Nunes, and a third, as-yet-unannounced choreographer. 

The rest of the season is to be performed in the Academy of Music. Swan Lake, March 3-13, will be choreographed by Corella. Three George Balanchine works are scheduled on a program running March 17-20: Stars and Stripes, Symphony in C, and Divertimento No. 15. And the Dutch choreographer Hans van Manen takes up the May 13-16 program with his Grosse Fuge, Variations for Two Couples, and 5 Tangos.

Harlequin is proud to be a sponsor of the new Philadelphia Ballet.

Read the full article in the Philadelphia Inquirer:
Queuing up to retake the stage, Pennsylvania Ballet has a new name

Philadelphia Ballet’s Story:
Pennsylvania Ballet is now Philadelphia Ballet

Philadelphia Ballet’s Testimonial with Harlequin:
Philadelphia Ballet’s Don Quixote Testimonial