Dances Patrelle presents the World Premiere of Francis Patrelle’s GILBERT & SULLIVAN, The Ballet!, an evening-length work featuring live music and singers, as well as characters from Gilbert and Sullivan favorites, from May 12-15, 2011 at Dicapo Opera Theatre, 184 E. 76th Street, NYC. Tickets are $20-35 and are available at 212-868-4444 or www.smarttix.com.

Following the performance on May 14, Dances Patrelle will host a Salsa Party Benefit at The Great Hall at St. Jean Baptiste Community Center, 184 E. 76th Street, NYC. The benefit will provide an opportunity to meet and mingle with the dancers, as well as to partake in a professional salsa lesson. Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served, as well as a raffle drawing. For tickets and more information, email info@dancespatrelle.org.

GILBERT & SULLIVAN, The Ballet! is a fun-filled look at the staging of three favorite comic operas, as Patrelle’s choreography highlights the joys, trials and rewards of a life in the theater. Sir William Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan battle over casting, bond over music, and get ripped off by their producer as a marvelous cast of dancers, singers, and musicians bring "The Pirates of Penzance", "The Mikado" and "HMS Pinafore" to life. Dancers include: Jesse Marks of Colorado Ballet and Ballet X; Alexander Brady of Twyla Tharp’s "Movin’ Out" and "Come Fly Away"; Julie Voshell, also of "Movin’ Out"; Amy Brandt of Suzanne Farrell Ballet; Therese Wendler of Ballet International; and John-Mark Owen of Ballet NY and American Repertory Ballet. Select students from premier ballet schools in the NYC area will also be featured, with Music Director Warren Helms, Set Designer Gillian Bradshaw Smith, Costume Designer Rita B. Watson, Lighting Designer David Grill, and co-creation of the original story by award-winning novelist Justin Allen.