Sometimes a performance is more than just a show.
That was the mood in the air on Friday for the opening night of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s “Season Premiere” with the PBT Orchestra. The three-day engagement at Downtown’s Benedum Center marked the first time the company has mounted a production in a theater since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Seeing the seats filled with patrons and the dancers back on stage felt so familiar, like a year and a half hadn’t passed since the last time we’d all been here. But as the evening unfolded, it was clear things had changed, which made the occasion bittersweet.
The program opened with a touching tribute to late artistic director Patricia Wilde, who died in July at age 93. Current artistic director Susan Jaffe shared stories about Wilde from past and present PBT artists and staff. Photos from Wilde’s New York City Ballet career and her 15-year tenure with PBT played on a big screen, with additional images on display in the lobby.
The main event could be summed up in three words: something for everyone. For her first Benedum Center program since arriving in Pittsburgh last summer, Jaffe delivered an eclectic mix of innovative works and classics. She picked Helen Pickett’s vibrant “Petal” to start, a premiere for PBT. Its radiant yellow lighting looked like a sunburst after a long, dark winter — or, in this case, a glimmer of hope in a difficult pandemic. There was an airiness about the dancers, too, that complemented well Pickett’s playful choreography.
Jaffe’s picks for the mixed repertory program showcased her dancers’ versatility. Yoshiaki Nakano and Gabrielle Thurlow dazzled in Victor Gsovksy’s bold “Grand Pas Classique” — a technical tightrope packed with balances and turns. There was some hesitancy from Thurlow in some of the early balance work, but she attacked later parts with more confidence and nailed a dizzying series of fouettes and pirouettes. Nakano’s multiple tours and jetes were crowd pleasers.
Arguably the standout of the night was the world premiere of Jennifer Archibald’s “Through the Window.” Dancers moved fluidly as a group — then sharply and separately. But they found their way back to each other, reflective of a community working together. Muted costumes and shadowy lighting heightened the raw emotion of it all, and the unexpected mélange of music styles added to the intrigue.
For the grand finale, we were treated to Balanchine’s “Diamonds.” The company — highlighted by Alexandra Kochis and William Moore — was pristine and crisp in its execution of this classical gem. Glittering white costumes and a hint of sparkle in the sky blue backdrop made for an opulent visual feast.
The PBT Orchestra, under the direction of principal director Charles Barker, brought energy to the program and beautifully interpreted the evening’s classical scores.
In the Wilde tribute, Jaffe closed with a quote from her: “I can’t imagine a life without dance.” I’d be lying if I said tears didn’t fill my eyes a couple times during the program as I reflected on not only all that’s been lost in the past 18 months but also on the resiliency of these dancers and my gratitude for the healing power of the arts.
Performances continue through Sunday. Tickets are available at pbt.org or 412-456-6666. COVID-19 safety measures, including proof of vaccination or a recent negative test and mask wearing, will be enforced.
Sara Bauknecht: sbauknecht@post-gazette.com or on Twitter and Instagram @SaraB_PG.
First Published: October 23, 2021, 7:36 p.m.
