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Lincoln Park stages world premiere of “Dances with Mancini”
MIDLAND, Pa. – The musical compositions in Henry Mancini’s thick catalog vary in mood from the powerful and energetic to the romantic and sensual – perfect inspiration for dance interpretation. “Dances With Mancini,” featuring energetic choreography and multimedia elements, will have its world premiere April 4 and 5, at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center.
“No one has ever choreographed a program to Mancini's three-movement symphonic suite ‘Beaver Valley ’37,’ which has special meaning to the Pittsburgh region because it was inspired by the composer’s childhood in West Aliquippa, Pa.,” said Dr. Nick Trombetta, founder of the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School and Center (http://www.lppac.org)
Dr. Nick Trombetta, himself a son of Italian immigrants and also a native son of Aliquippa, is CEO of the PA Cyber Charter School. Both Lincoln Park and PA Cyber were chartered by Midland Borough School District while Dr. Nick Trombetta was superintendent.
The Beaver Valley Suite’s first movement, “The River,” is an ode to the Ohio River and its moods; the second, “Black Snow,” recalls the soot and smoke that poured from the steel mills. A tarentella may be heard in the third movement, “Sons of Italy,” as it pays homage to the local ethnic Italian bands that flourished in the valley in the early 20th century.
Dr. Nick Trombetta said the evening’s dance program uses a variety of arrangements of Mancini numbers such as “Peter Gunn” and “Moon River,” as well as Mancini’s hit song arrangement of another artist’s work, the love theme from Zeffirelli’s film “Romeo and Juliet.”
Lincoln Park Managing Director Stephen Catanzarite said Ginny Mancini, the legendary composer’s widow, will attend Saturday’s performance. The show was her idea, after all, and her favorite song is on the program. “Two for the Road” is Mancini’s theme from the 1967 film starring Albert Finney and Audrey Hepburn.
“Not only is it a beautiful, haunting melody, but Leslie Bricusse's lyrics kind of tell the story of what Hank and I were about as a couple,” said Mrs. Mancini. “I think it's a lovely song, and that it would probably be his favorite of all the standards that he wrote.”
Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $15, and may be purchased the Lincoln box office or by calling 724.643.9004. The show is sponsored by the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center, the National Network of Digital Schools and Pittsburgh jazz station DUQ 90.5 FM.
Catanzarite said creating “Dances with Mancini” was a collaborative effort and labor of love and respect for the composer by Lincoln Park’s dance, media arts, theater, music and creative writing departments.The show will be staged in Lincoln Park’s 750-seat state-of-the-art mainstage theater.
The Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center is located 45 minutes northwest of Pittsburgh and southeast of Youngstown in Midland, Beaver County, Pa. The $30 million facility opened in 2006. The Center is home to the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, a Pennsylvania public charter school providing a rigorous academic program along with professional training in music, theater, dance, creative writing and media arts. Information on shows is available at http://www.lppac.org