“We are bringing a whole new program for the Miami audience this year, including the brand new Houdini-esque collaboration with Penn& Teller and another raucous romp with frequent collaborator Trish Sie.” – Renee Jaworski, associate artistic director of Pilobolus

“Transformation.” Photo by John Kane

We all need a little magic in our lives, and Pilobolus provides it in abundance. As part of the 2013-2014 Knight Masterworks Ziff Dance Series, “the wildly imaginative, shape-shifting dance troupe Pilobolus” will take center stage at Ballet Opera House on October 25th and 26th. This year the company will premiere five new pieces exclusively in Miami, which includes those created in collaboration with the subversive counter-culture tricksters Penn & Teller.

“Pilobolus’ novel approach to dance has made them favorites of dance aficionados, as well as those who simply enjoy a terrific visual spectacle,” said John Richard, president and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. “Their jaw-dropping athleticism, mixed in with peeks of humor, make Pilobolus an outstanding season opener at Miami’s home for dance.”

Over the last 40 years, Pilobolus has evolved from an experimental dance company founded at Dartmouth College into a cultural phonomenon that has provided pleasure to a billion people across the globe. For two nights only, Pilobolus will premiere works that take inspiration from and works in collaboration with wildly successful (and racially quirky) cultural icons, such as Penn & Teller; Steven Banks, lead writer for the brilliant animated series “SpongeBob SquarePants”; Maurice Sendak, illustrator and writer of “Where the Wild Things Are”; music producer Brian Eno; the Talking Heads; and the list goes on.

The bottom line: Pilobolus is not to be missed.

Pilobolus will perform at the Ziff Ballet Opera House on October 25 and 26. Tickets are $30-90 and can be purchased through the Arsht Center box office by calling 305-949-6722 or visiting www.arshtcenter.org.