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Community Corner

Original Holiday Production Premiering from Local Dance Company Ballet 180

Ballet 180 will be staging a brand new ballet just in time for the holidays. The performance, A Charlie Brown Christmas, provides a fun alternative to the Nutcracker that audiences of all ages will enjoy. Performances will be held as part of West Chester’s Annual Old Fashioned Christmas on Saturday, December 7th at 4:00pm and 7:00pm at Fugett Middle School located at 500 Ellis Lane, West Chester, PA. Old Fashioned Christmas is sponsored by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce and by MARS Drinks. Tickets for A Charlie Brown Christmas are available for purchase online through www.180dance.org. Admission is $30 for adults and $20 for students and seniors. Group rates for 10 or more are available.

A Charlie Brown Christmas was choreographed by Kelly Murray, Director of Ballet 180,  and will be performed by the professional dancers of Ballet 180. This performance marks the company’s first full length production and first holiday piece. The lead character roles for this new work will be filled by Ballet 180 company members and  supporting roles filled by select students from Studio 180, the new official school of Ballet 180. The students chosen to perform in the production are members of Studio 180’s professional training division, which is available for students ranging from age eight through 18.

The production is aptly titled after the musical score from the classic 1965 film, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” which boasts a wonderful assortment of holiday music by jazz musician and songwriter Vince Guaraldi. Honoring the contemporary style of Ballet 180, the ballet production takes on a fluid, jazzy style that brings to life the upbeat, jazzy tempos from the original score. “As dancers, we are inspired by music. Vince Guaraldi’s holiday music is so cheerful and fun that you can’t help but smile. The familiar songs immediately inspire ideas for choreography and make you want to get up and dance,” says Murray.   Incorporating the music and spirit of the classic 1965 film, the production will tell the familiar Christmas story in a new, creative way for contemporary audiences.  

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Audiences can expect a crowd-pleasing performance of technically challenging dances, entertaining moments of comedy, and even singing. This family friendly production will be sure to leave you in the spirit for the holiday season. Do not miss out on this opportunity to engage with your local community through the performing arts!

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