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Who Cares? A Classic Ballet Performance

 by Heather Smith and Toni Swider

The Grand Rapids Ballet is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the electrifying classic ballet Who Cares?, a show that's not your typical ballet performance.

With jazz-influenced music by George and Ira Gershwin, the speed and energy will keep you intrigued and make you want to get up out of your seat and Pirouette with the dancers.

"The community and audiences will truly enjoy watching this wonderful ballet just as much as our dancers will enjoy dancing it," said Patricia Barker, artist director of the Grand Rapids Ballet.

The performance of Who Cares? was originally choreographed by one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers, George Balanchine. Balanchine, also known as the co-founder and balletmaster of the New York City Ballet, brings the powerful essence of Manhattan to the stage in order to energize the crowd and take them on a journey.

The accompanying music was written by brother Ira and George Gershwin. In 1931, George composed the original song "Who Cares?" while his older brother Ira Gershwin wrote the lyrics. Between the years 1924 and 1931, Ira had written lyrics to nearly all of George's vocal music.

The brothers originally created the song "Who Cares?" for their musical Of Thee I Sing, but were able to give Balanchine the groundwork to make an excellent ballet that has lasted four decades.

Hershy Kay originally performed orchestration for Who Cares? Most of Hershy's work was noteworthy for Broadway and for some of Balanchine's 125 New York City Ballet's.

The ballet has a total of 16 musical compositions by the Gershwin brothers including "I Got Rhythm," "The Man I Love," "Strike Up the Band," and "Somebody Loves Me." The New York premiere of Who Cares? may have been in 1970, but this ballet continues to get better with time.

"It's fun and exciting with those wonderful familiar tunes from George Gershwin that we all can hum a few bars," Barker said.

The ballet follows Gershwin's compositions through a press conference with a chorus of reporters, a dramatic scene between the President and First Lady and ends with a love duet. Who Cares? Is a must see and will leave you wanting more.

For more shows check out www.grballet.com