Ballets with a Twist Serves Up 'Cocktail Hour: The Show' at Staten Island's St. George Theatre

NEW YORK - Sept. 2, 2014 - PRLog -- Drama, mystery, humor, romance — New York City’s Ballets with a Twist brings the rich splendor of classic entertainment to Staten Island’s historic St. George Theatre with Cocktail Hour: The Show on Saturday, October 11, at 8:00 pm.

Originally a vaudeville house rivaling Broadway’s best, the St. George provides the perfect backdrop for Ballets with a Twist’s signature sparkling style. The company’s Staten Island debut will feature live musical performances by its exclusive, star-studded B-Twist Orchestra and Newark Symphony Hall's Gospelfest award-winning youth choir, the Special Ensemble. Cocktails on the program include fan favorites such as “Martini,” “Mint Julep” and “Brandy Alexander,” along with the latest additions to Cocktail Hour, the all-American “Boilermaker” and continental quaff “Eau de Vie” (complete with newly crafted couture costumes).

For a taste of true Twist flavor, adventurous audience members are invited to visit the St. George concession stand, where cocktails (and mocktails!) from the show will be made to enjoy in the theater. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com/Ballets-with-a-Twist-tickets/artist/1917497.

The Show
From Lincoln Center to PlayhouseSquare, Marilyn Klaus’s Cocktail Hour is reinventing the glamour and excitement of classic American entertainment with a fresh blend of charismatic choreography, intoxicating live music and exquisite costume design. Deemed a distinctive mix of “Hollywood glitz and New York polish” by The Huffington Post, this cinematic, pop-infused performing arts experience launches the Mai Tai, Martini, Manhattan and more off the menu and onto the stage. It’s high-style fun for the whole family to enjoy!

Klaus, whose background ranges from vaudeville and show dancing to Isadora Duncan and classical ballet, developed Cocktail Hour in collaboration with Grammy-nominated company composer Stephen Gaboury. Gaboury has toured internationally with pop/rock icon Cyndi Lauper for more than a decade, also contributing as co-writer on selections in her hit Broadway musical, Kinky Boots. Gaboury’s music has been heard in film, on television and on stage, and he has performed with many A-listers, including Patti Labelle, Suzanne Vega and Ute Lemper.

Led by Gaboury, The B-Twist Orchestra made its first appearance with Ballets with a Twist in December 2012 at Manhattan’s Beacon Theatre during Cyndi Lauper’s Home for the Holidays benefit concert. The band has since joined the company at venues throughout the New York Tri-State Area.

Catherine Zehr is the artistic force behind Cocktail Hour’s resplendent costume design. Her ingenious creations evoke the origins and essence of each spirit with vivid colors and embellishments.

Critics and audience members agree: Cocktail Hour is an artistically seductive must-see. The Huffington Post raves that Klaus is “blasting the boundaries between high art and entertainment,” while The New York Times praises her as “witty and fantastic.” Ballets with a Twist has also caught the attention of The Wall Street Journal, New York City’s PIX11 Morning News, and WKYC-TV in Cleveland.

Craving more cocktail culture? Visit http://balletswithatwist.com.

The Choir
Founded by award-winning director, vocal coach and composer Hugh Davis, Newark Symphony Hall's Special Ensemble has been performing and competing in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area since 2010. Comprised of a dozen singers ages 13 to 17, the group was named Youth Choir Winner at the 2011 McDonald’s GospelFest, and was Tye Tribbett’s featured guest during the Post-WNBA Gospel Concert at Madison Square Garden this August. Led by Candice Anderson and Nicole Davis, members of the Special Ensemble believe that when their voices come together, they are of "one body, one mind.” They share a love for singing and enjoy being part of a group that allows them not only to express themselves vocally, but also to experience their passion for performing within a supportive environment.

To learn (and hear!) more, visit http://specialensemble.org.

The Venue
The magnificent St. George Theatre is a major cultural and performing arts center for Staten Island, New York City and the entire metropolitan area. The theater presents international headliners, national tours, the best in comedy and dance performances, educational programs and children's productions.

For more information, visit http://www.stgeorgetheatre.com/index.html or call the St. George box office at 718-442-2900.