A ballerina’s final bow

    This weekend’s performances of the Pennsylvania Ballet are the public’s last opportunities to see Principal Dancer Riolama Lorenzo on stage, as she is retiring after tomorrow afternoon’s performance of “Pushing Boundaries: Forsythe & Neenan” at the Merriam Theater.

    Lorenzo has been dancing with the Pennsylvania Ballet for 10 years, after starring with the New York City Ballet. A graduate of the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia and a Havana, Cuba, native, Lorenzo has danced the leading roles in “Swan Lake,” “Giselle,” and “Carmen.” She says she’s looking forward to spending more time with her husband and their four-year-old son and six-month-old daughter upon retirement.

    The dancer selected “Keep” by the Pennsylvania Ballet’s Choreographer in Residence Matthew Neenan for her final performance, and she’ll be congratulated on her retirement after the performance in the traditional ballet way, with snapping flashes, large bouquets, cheering ovations and a series of final bows.

     

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    Performances at the Merriam Theater, 250 South Broad Street, this weekend are 2 and 8 p.m. today, and tomorrow at 2 p.m. will be Lorenzo’s final performance.

    More information and tickets are available online at paballet.org.

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