Variations/Collaborations 2024
Saturday, March 23rd / 7:00PM
Kurtz Center for the Performing Arts, 3000 West School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144
Metropolitan Ballet brings a showcase of outstanding contemporary choreography to the stage this Spring with premieres by Tommie-Waheed Evans, Guggenheim Fellow & Princess Grace Awardee; Sarah Mettin, Artistic Associate of Metropolitan; and fan favorite, Ashley Walton Pabst.
Family Concert Series: Hansel & Gretel and Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Josephine Muller Auditorium
Abington Friends School
575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Admission: $20 in Advance/$25 at the Door. Purchase tickets HERE!
Metropolitan Ballet opens its 2023-2024 season on November 18-19, with two extraordinary storybook productions and a Contemporary Dance premiere!
The fairytale classic, Hansel & Gretel is a breathtaking production by noted NYC choreographer Kanji Segawa. This vivid and memorable story ballet follows the adventures of the clever Hansel and his brave sister Gretel as they foil the witch’s evil plans and, in the best fairy tale tradition, live happily ever after! Stage designs by NYC set designer Adam Riggar and costumes by Elena Comendador.
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, with sparkling choreography by Jennifer Sommers, is based on the book by award-winning children’s author Kevin Henkes. Lily loves school – the pointy pencils, the squeaky chalk, the fish sticks and chocolate milk in the lunchroom. Lilly loves everything — at least most of the time. Even Lilly has some bad days, but when you have movie star glasses and a purple plastic purse, how bad can it be?
As an added treat, Metropolitan’s resident choreographer, Sarah Mettin, will debut: Atomic, a Contemporary piece featuring 17 dancers, to the music of Ryan Lott. Mettin is a Metropolitan Ballet alumna who graduated from the prestigious dance conservatory at SUNY Purchase, holds a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University, and currently serves as Met’s Artistic Associate.
Showcase 2023: Under the Big Top!
Saturday & Sunday, June 3 & 4 at 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm
Josephine Muller Auditorium
Abington Friends School
575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Admission: $20 in Advance / $25 at the Door. Purchase tickets here or call 215-663-1665.
Join Metropolitan Ballet Academy for our end of year student showcase performances! All students at the Academy perform in this fun display of dance in the production of Under the Big Top, along with additional ballets. Please note: This year all academic levels, including Creative Movement students, will perform in the show together.
Variations / Collaborations
Saturday, April 1st
Kurtz Center for the Performing Arts
3000 West School House Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19144
This year’s Variations/Collaborations concert features works from 2022 Princess Grace Foundation award-winning Choreographer, Maleek Washington; Metropolitan Company alumna and current Artistic Associate, Sarah Mettin; former Company Artist with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Da’Von Doane; and modern dance legend, Martha Graham, set by Martha Graham Dance Company member Anne Souder.
Family Concert Series: Fancy
Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet
and Graduation Ball
Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm
Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 1:00 pm
Josephine Muller Auditorium
Abington Friends School
575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Admission: $20 in Advance/$25 at the Door. Purchase tickets HERE!
Metropolitan Ballet Company will bring two family-friendly ballets – one premiere and one classic – to audiences this fall, as part of its 25th Anniversary celebration. “Fancy Nancy and the Mermaid Ballet” is a premier by choreographer Mary LeGere. The ever-exuberant Fancy Nancy learns to love a less-than-fancy role in her ballet school’s production, while cheering on her best friend who has a lead part. The award-winning illustrator of the Fancy Nancy series is Robin Preiss Glasser, former Pennsylvania Ballet dancer, who, along with Mary LeGere was a dance colleague of Met’s Founder, Lisa Collins Vidnovic. The three performed together and have remained life-long friends.
Also on the program is Graduation Ball, a ballet repertoire favorite! David Lichine’s classic comedy ballet in one act is set in Vienna where the lovely students of a fashionable girls’ school invite young cadets to their graduation ball. This international favorite boasts exuberant dancing, youthful romance, and an atmosphere of fun, all to the sweeping musical score by Johann Strauss II. Another highlight is the flirtatious dance between the Old General, who leads the cadets, and the school’s Headmistress. These parts will be danced by Daniel Mayo, lead men’s faculty for Metropolitan (formerly BalletX), and his real-life wife, Julia Mayo, Head of the Dance Department for DeSales University. The two met as students at Juilliard.
25th Anniversary Celebration:
Gala Performance & Party
Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 4:00 pm
Party- 6:00 pm/ Dinning and Libations/ Festive Attire
Josephine Muller Auditorium
Abington Friends School
575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Purchase tickets here or call 215-663-1665.
Metropolitan Ballet presents a dazzling evening of dance, featuring 13 Met Alumni, returning from San Francisco Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Indianapolis Ballet, Colorado Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, and Philadelphia Ballet. Join us for the performance, followed by dining & libations at a beautiful private home in Jenkintown. JESSICA LANG & KANJI SEGAWA are our special guests of honor – for their stellar contributions to the dance world and to Metropolitan Ballet! Together they’ve had a profound influence on audiences worldwide, and hundreds of Metropolitan dancers since they started visiting as choreographers over 20 years ago.Choreography by Kanji Segawa, Sarah Mettin, and Ashley Walton will showcase contemporary and classical beauty.
*25th Anniversary Gala Party at the gracious home and gardens of Arleen Armstrong & David Del Beccaro in Jenkintown, PA (address to be sent separately), including a special toast and presentation to Honorees Jessica Lang & Kanji Segawa. Children ages 12+ are welcome to attend Party if accompanied by an adult*
For safety, all patrons are required to wear masks inside the venue regardless of vaccination status. Please arrive early, doors open 30 minutes before show. Thank you for your participation.
Showcase 2022: The Three
Wishes
Sunday, June 5, 2022 at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm
Josephine Muller Auditorium
Abington Friends School
575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Admission: $20 in Advance / $25 at the Door. Purchase tickets here or call 215-663-1665.
Join Metropolitan Ballet Academy for our end of year student showcase performances. All students at the Academy perform in this joyful display of dance in the production of The Three Wishes, along with additional ballets. Please note: Creative Movement students perform on Sunday morning at the pre-show which does not require tickets.
For safety, all patrons are required to wear masks inside the venue regardless of vaccination status. Children under 5 are welcome, with masks in place and do require a ticket. Please arrive early, doors open 30 minutes before show. Thank you for your participation.
Family Concert Series: The Story of
Ferdinand and Robin Hood
Saturday, January 15, 2021 at 1:00pm and 4:00pm;
Sunday, January 16, 2021 at 1:00pm
Josephine Muller Auditorium
Abington Friends School
575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Admission: $15 in Advance/$20 at the Door. Purchase tickets online here or call 215-663-1665.
Metropolitan Ballet Company is celebrating its 25th Anniversary, kicking off with an exciting production of two new Children’s ballets: “The Story of Ferdinand” and “Robin Hood”. Based on the classic children’s tales, these two new dances will dazzle children and adults alike in a live performance that is suitable for ages 5 – 95.
“The Story of Ferdinand” is based on the beloved children’s book by Munro Leaf, with iconic illustrations by Robert Lawson. Choreography is by the nationally acclaimed Jennifer Sommers, Director of the Houston Ballet Academy, and long-time creative collaborator with Metropolitan.
“Robin Hood,” is an abstract interpretation of the 1938 film is choreographed by John Selya, renowned as a former Twyla Tharp dancer, current Tharp colleague – staging her works worldwide – and Tony Award-nominee for his role in Tharp’s Broadway smash, Movin’ Out! Selya is also a member of Metropolitan’s faculty. Robin Hood is made possible by a generous gift from Joy Falk Schorr, CEO, DJS Associates, Inc., and the support of businesses, foundations, and individuals.
Special guests from The School of the Voloshky Ukrainian Dance will also perform! Metropolitan has enjoyed a two-decade long relationship with these artists, and the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center, which marked its 40th Anniversary this year.
For safety, all patrons are required to wear masks inside the venue regardless of vaccination status. Attendees ages 5 years and older should provide proof of vaccination or a negative test result taken within 24 hours in advance of show. Children under 5 are welcome, with masks in place. Please arrive early. Doors open 45 minutes before show. Thank you for your participation.
Variations/Collaborations
Saturday, March 28, 2020 at 7:00pm
(cancelled due to Covid-19)
Kurtz Center of the William Penn Charter School
3000 West School House Lane / Philadelphia, PA 19144
Admission $20.00 in Advance, $25.00 at the Door. Buy tickets here! Run time is approximately 95 minutes, including one intermission.
An Evening of dynamic dance and music, with live music from ATLYS quartet, featuring twins Genevieve and Sabrina Tabby, Settlement Music School Alumnae. Metropolitan Ballet Company will present contemporary ballets by two Princess Grace Foundation Award-winning artists: Tommie-Waheed Evans and Jenelle Figgins. Their extraordinary dances will premiere alongside new work by their artistic contemporary, Sarah Mettin, Metropolitan’s Artistic Associate. Sharing the stage with Metropolitan are special guest artists from the Washington Ballet’s Professional Training Division.
Family Concert Series: Peter Pan Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm;
Sunday, November 24 at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm
Josephine Muller Auditorium
Abington Friends School
575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Admission: $15 in Advance/$20 at the Door. Purchase online at Met Ballet’s Ticketleap page or call 215-663-1665. Run time is 90 minutes, and one intermission. Schools and groups are welcome.
Metropolitan Ballet Company will present an exciting production of Peter Pan, a rollicking story ballet, brought to life with exuberant dancing, and magical costumes and sets.
Showcase 2019: COLORS
Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 11:00am (pre-show), 1:00pm & 4:00pm Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 1:00pm & 4:00pm
Josephine Muller Auditorium
Abington Friends School
575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Admission: $20 in Advance/$25 at the Door
Celebrate the end of the year! Join the students of Metropolitan Ballet Academy for their sparkling Showcase Performance of COLORS. Program will also feature contemporary works by choreographers, Denise D’Angelo, Sarah Mettin, Jessica Lang, and Ashley Walton.
Our Creative Movement students (ages 3/4) will perform on Saturday morning at 11:00am — No tickets are necessary to attend this pre-show performance.
Variations/Collaborations
Saturday, March 23, 2019 at 7:00pm
Kurtz Center of the William Penn Charter School
3000 West School House Lane / Philadelphia, PA 19144
An Evening of Music and Dance with Settlement Music School, featuring special guest artists, San Francisco Ballet School Trainee Program.
Admission $20.00 in Advance, $25.00 at the Door. Run time is approximately 95 minutes, including one intermission.
Brilliant live music and contemporary choreography by Jessica Lang, Sarah Mettin, and Ashley Walton.
New! Join us before the show! “Trolley to the Barre” for a beer and a bite! Complementary Trolley to Wissahickon Brewing Company!
Complementary Trolley – “Trolley to the Barre” for a beer and a bite! A complementary trolley will shuttle roundtrip from the Kurtz to the Wissahickon Brewing Company.
Beginning at 4:45, final return to the Kurtz at 6:30. Lite bites provided by Metropolitan Ballet Company’s Board of Directors, cash bar.
Family Concert Series: Cinderella
Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 2:00pm & 6:00pm
Sunday, November 18, 2018 at 2:00pm
Josephine Muller Auditorium
Abington Friends School,
575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Admission: $15 in Advance/$20 at the Door
Run time is 90 minutes, and one intermission.
Metropolitan Ballet Company will open its season on Saturday and Sunday, November 17-18, 2018, with an enchanting production of the classic children’s storybook ballet, Cinderella. In this family-oriented program, Cinderella is a sparkling faerie-tale ballet complete with glass slippers, fairy godmother, pumpkin coaches, wicked stepsisters, and ballroom entertainment. This magical story ballet, brought to life with exuberant dancing, will delight children of all ages.
Schools and groups are welcome! These performances made possible by the generous support of community businesses, foundations and individuals. Thank you!
Showcase 2018: Under the Big Top
Saturday, June 2, 2018 at 11:00am (pre-show), 1:00pm & 4:00pm
Sunday, June 3, 2018 at 1:00pm & 4:00pm
Josephine Muller Auditorium
Abington Friends School
575 Washington Lane, Jenkintown, PA 19046
Admission: $20 in Advance/$25 at the Door
Celebrate the end of the year! Join the students of Metropolitan Ballet Academy for their sparkling Showcase Performance of Under the Big Top. Program will also feature contemporary works by choreographers, Denise D’Angelo, Sarah Mettin, Kanji Segawa, and Ashley Walton.
Our Creative Movement students (ages 3/4) will perform on Saturday morning at 11:00am — no tickets are necessary to attend this pre-show performance.