Ballet and blooms: Phipps and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School present 无毛视频楶oinsettias and Pointe Shoes无毛视频�
Courtesy of Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Ask any gardener and they’ll tell you that plants have a way of soothing the soul-a service that is even more appreciated during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. This is just one of the reasons why Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is pairing up with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School (PBT) to whisk visitors away to a wonderland known as Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes.
The friendly event features a preview of “The Nutcracker,” performed by the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School (PBT School), in a place where guests can also enjoy a profusion of color from pretty poinsettias, festive displays and vibrant evergreens known as Phipps Holiday Magic.
An Annual Holiday Celebration
The show will take place before Thanksgiving to kick off the Christmas season. Raymond Rodriguez, dean of the PBT School, said that the partnership with Phipps began in 2010.
“It’s been going on for quite some time now and is a wonderful event,” he said.
Students will perform ballet vignettes from Terrence S. Orr’s “The Nutcracker” in the Special Events Hall.
“They lay down a Marley floor, which is a type of linoleum so that the performers don’t slip,” explains Rodriguez, adding that dancers will perform a sampling from the full-length version of the same performance that the company dances at the Benedum Center from December 6-27.
“These shows enable our students to understand what it’s like to perform in an alternate venue and also get a head start in preparing for the longer version that will take place at the Benedum Center,” he said, adding that about 195 students participate in the full-length production.
Photos Come Alive
A favorite for many attendees is the opportunity to participate in a meet-and-greet session at the conclusion of the show when they can snap photos of themselves with the dancers before exploring the Conservatory where even more photo opportunities await.
Joe Reed, senior director of communications at Phipps, said that the long-standing tradition is a popular event.
“Both of our institutions provide signature entertainment this time of year. For the PBT School it’s a preview of the annual full-length ‘The Nutcracker’ performance and for us, it’s Phipp’s Holiday Magic Show. It’s a tradition that we hold dear,” he said, adding that audiences enjoy the intimacy of the space with a 200-person capacity.
“Guests can expect a special 40-minute performance in a space where they are very close to the dancers. Afterwards, they can meet them for photos and then tour the flowers and lights of Holiday Magic at their leisure,” he said.
Rodriguez advises guests to purchase their tickets early because the popular performances quickly sell out.
“This year we added an extra day and additional performances since it sold out in September last year. This year, the first show has already sold out,” he said.
Tickets to the performance also include admission to Phipps, as well as a 50 percent savings on tickets to attend PBT’s full-length “Nutcracker” performance onstage at the Benedum Center in December.
Both institutions have a long history in the Pittsburgh area. Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre celebrates its 55th anniversary this year and is a nationally recognized ballet company of 32 professional dancers and a training institution of 1,200 students of all ages. Phipps was founded in 1893 and is a globally recognized green leader with a mission to inspire and educate all of the beauty and importance of plants.
Rodriguez suggests guests arrive early as seating is not assigned and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. “It’s always one of our favorite events of the year. The beautiful floral setting at Phipps is an incredible backdrop for “The Nutcracker” and together they create a magical experience for the audiences,” he said.
For prices, times and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.pbt.org/performances/poinsettias-and-pointe-shoes/, or call 412-454-9107.
Phipps and PBT will offer three sessions of “Poinsettias and Pointe Shoes” on Monday, Nov. 25 with performances at 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 p.m., and two sessions on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 5:30 and 6:45. Admission costs $38 for adults and $20 for children and includes an exclusive 50-percent-off ticket special to attend PBT’s full-length performance of “The Nutcracker” onstage at the Benedum Center Dec. 6-27, 2024 (redeemable after Nov. 25).