by Claire DeMarco
The Pittsburgh Ballet Theater (PBT) held Pointe in Time – The Bippity Boppity Ball on Saturday, November 11 at the Westin Pittsburgh Hotel.
This was PBT’s annual and largest event of the year. It was grand, elegant and welcoming. Formal but fun.
The name Bippity Boppity refers to the song in the Disney classic “Cinderella.” Cinderella was the theme for the evening’s event. Choreographed by Jayne Smeulders it will make its U.S. premier here in Pittsburgh as the final production of the 2023-2024 season.
What a delight to tantalize the audience with selections from this upcoming Cinderella ballet with a wonderful performance by students of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School – Corey Bourbonniere, Hannah Carter, Grace Bookstool.
Excerpts from other upcoming PBT performances were also highlighted.
Since the evening centered on Cinderella, many of the guests were dressed in Cinderella-inspired gowns with large hoop skirts, voluminous fabric and bright colors.
Adam W. McKinney, New Executive Director, was introduced to the audience. He was engaging and delightful in his formal speech and just as welcoming as we watched him in casual conversations with attendees. In an informal conversation with this reviewer, he expressed his utter excitement in his new role.
The Gala was also a PBT fundraiser. Exciting auctions (both silent and live) featured spectacular items. Keeping with the theme of the event one of the live auction items was titled “Cinderella’s Sparkle” and was a beautiful piece of jewelry.
An additional aspect of fundraising was the outreach in support of another of PBT’s missions – the Community Youth Scholarship Program. This program is “need-based, supporting training for talented students who demonstrate financial eligibility.”
What a better way to end a perfect evening by “dancing the night away” with live music featuring Michael Jackson and Earth Wind and Fire selections.
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre – a gem in Pittsburgh’s cultural community.
-CED
For more information and detail on the last four shows of PBT’s season and PBT’s other programs, please click here.
