Petrushka Premieres with Philadelphia Chamber Music Society
Last week, BalletX, PCMS, and ensemble132 debuted the world premiere of Petrushka by BalletX’s Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Hall Garner at the Kimmel Center’s Perelman Theater—an imaginative collaboration that played to two sold-out houses!
This production was the culmination of a two-year creative process. Petrushka was first previewed during BalletX’s 2025 Summer Series, where Garner and artistic collaborator Nancy Meckler began shaping the work together. In the new year, members of ensemble132 joined BalletX in the studio, rehearsing side by side with the dancers for the first time and deepening the exchange between movement and music that would ultimately define the final production.
The evening began with ensemble132 onstage, performing works by Bartók, Wiancko, and Mozart, before seamlessly transforming into something entirely unexpected.Moments after BalletX company dancer Peter Weil’s Pete wandered onstage and curled up beneath a blanket, a surreal fever dream unfolded as dancers emerged, sweeping Pete into a traveling show and into the world of Petrushka.“It’s like we went to a classical concert and a circus broke out.” — The Philadelphia Inquirer
“His technique and emotion just grabbed us by the throat.” — Broad Street Review
Stravinsky’s iconic composition, newly rescored for piano quintet by Sahun Sam Hong and performed by ensemble132, created an intimate and electric sound world for the ballet. Garner’s reimagining honored the original structure while offering a contemporary narrative centered on innocence, transformation, and agency, bringing fresh clarity and humanity to this historic work.
The ballet’s visual world was brought to life by Emma Kingsbury, whose costume and set designs created a vivid, immersive atmosphere, while Christopher Ash shaped the mood and texture with masterful lighting design.
“This ingenious collaboration reaped phenomenal results: the revised score, fresh choreography and forward-thinking narrative not only breathed new life into Petrushka, but offered a version likely to stand the test of time. We can only hope for more from this high-caliber pairing of musicians and dancers.” — Ballet To The People
This landmark collaboration reflects BalletX’s ongoing commitment to bold partnerships and innovative storytelling, and we are deeply grateful to the supporters who made this artistic exchange possible, including the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, Allen R. & Judy Brick Freedman, Vincent Tseng & Geoffrey Mainland, Pauline Candaux & Sol Katz, and Peggy Wachs. We look forward to future collaborations with the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society.
Photos by Scott Serio.
