Dancers with the Pennsylvania Ballet are gearing up for a special anniversary show to mark two decades of supporting the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutritional Alliance’s mission, which has had a resounding impact on the HIV/AIDS community.
The 20th annual “Shut Up & Dance” will be held 8 p.m. March 24 at Forrest Theater, 1114 Walnut St.
The event usually draws more than 1,000 people who generate over $100,000 for MANNA, which provides nutritional meals to those with life-threatening illnesses — a far cry from the production’s humble beginnings.
“The generations of dancers before us are the ones who put this together and took it from this small show at The Troc that raised a few thousand dollars to this large, beautiful event that is such a huge celebration of life and raises so much for an organization that has done such good for the community,” said Ian Hussey, Pennsylvania Ballet member and this year’s producing director.
Hussey, who is openly gay, has been involved with the production for a number of years — as a dancer, choreographer and production manager — and said his “passion for the show” and what it represents inspired him to take the lead on the anniversary event.
“The opportunity to put together such a special event isn’t an opportunity that comes along that often,” he said. “‘Shut Up & Dance’ has been so important to MANNA and to the whole community of Philadelphians helping each other and helping those in need. And it’s been very special to the dancers of the Pennsylvania Ballet for so long.”
“Shut Up & Dance” features original choreography from members of the Ballet, 28 of whom will dance in this year’s show.
The styles will run the gamut, Hussey said, but much of it is “contemporary, raw and edgy.”
Amir Yogev is in his third season with the ballet and will perform in his third “Shut Up & Dance” next week.
“My first year I thought it was just such a cool opportunity to give something back to the community while still being able to perfect my artform and extend it to places it doesn’t get to usually go,” the out dancer said. “We rarely get to do world premieres, and this is a whole evening just of new works created by my peers, so it’s really exciting.”
While participation is rewarding for the dancers, it comes with its challenges.
Dancers rehearse on top of their full-time schedules with the ballet, meaning after-hours work and skipped lunches.
“Right now, we’re in the middle of performances for ‘Messiah,’ which is a very big undertaking,” Yogev said. “You’re in rehearsal all day and it takes everything out of you. You’re really tired at the end of the day and sometimes you may be like, ‘Is this worth it?’ But in the past two years I’ve seen that you get to the day of the show and it is totally worth everything.”
A number of “Shut Up & Dance” alumni have returned to take part in the 20th anniversary celebration, which Yogev said has fueled the energy around the production.
“It really shows the history of ‘Shut Up & Dance’ and how much people have been dedicated to this throughout their careers and what a special place this show holds for everyone,” Yogev said.
Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased at www.mannapa.org.
Jen Colletta can be reached at [email protected].