Author: artsair

International arts writer/critic for newspapers, magazines and websites.
Dance Reviews 2021

Improved Cleveland Ballet Shines in ‘The Nutcracker’ [REVIEW]

Cleveland BalletThe NutcrackerPlayhouse Square – Connor Palace TheatreCleveland, OHDecember 3-5, 2021 By Steve Sucato Cleveland’s premier The Nutcracker production by the Cleveland Ballet returned once again to Playhouse Square December 3-5 after a yearlong hiatus because of the global pandemic. The annual production that regularly plays to sold-out audiences, was performed for the first time at the larger Connor Palace Theatre. In doing so, the … Continue reading Improved Cleveland Ballet Shines in ‘The Nutcracker’ [REVIEW]

Unknown's avatarartsairLeave a comment
Film Reviews

NBC’s The Voice Finalist John Holiday Shines in ‘After/Glow,’ a Contemporary Interpretation of Schumann’s Dichterlieben [FILM REVIEW]

By Steve Sucato If director Ryan McKinny’s film After/Glow were nothing visually but 50-minutes of blank screen to the soundtrack of countertenor John Holiday’s angelic voice singing Robert Schumann’s 1840 song cycle Dichterliebe (“A Poet’s Love”), that would still be reason enough to head to the Helio Arts website where the film is now streaming. Add to that new spoken word poems by Marc Bamuthi … Continue reading NBC’s The Voice Finalist John Holiday Shines in ‘After/Glow,’ a Contemporary Interpretation of Schumann’s Dichterlieben [FILM REVIEW]

Unknown's avatarartsairLeave a comment
Airings

From Skateboarding Hooligan to Principal Dancer: BalletMet’s Jonathan Jordan Reflects on his Lengthy Dance Career and Taking his Final Bow

By Steve Sucato After a 22-year career as a dancer, BalletMet’s Jonathan Jordan will take his final bow with the company on Wednesday, December 22 in Gerard Charles’s The Nutcracker.  Jordan will dance the role of the Cavalier opposite Sugar Plum Fairy, Caitlin Valentine. The Arizona native began his dance journey at age 12 at the Academy Ballet of Tucson and then the Phoenix School … Continue reading From Skateboarding Hooligan to Principal Dancer: BalletMet’s Jonathan Jordan Reflects on his Lengthy Dance Career and Taking his Final Bow

Unknown's avatarartsairLeave a comment
Dance Reviews 2021

Slick Meets Surreal in ‘Circles: going in’ [REVIEW]

STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy SosCircles: going inAugust Wilson African American Cultural CenterPittsburgh, PAOctober 28-30, 2021 By Steve Sucato The long-awaited world premiere of STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos’s Circles: going in, felt like the stylistic culmination of years of choreographer Staycee Pearl finding her voice. Not that the evening-length fusion of dance club vibe and contemporary, hip hop, and modern dance … Continue reading Slick Meets Surreal in ‘Circles: going in’ [REVIEW]

Unknown's avatarartsairLeave a comment
Airings

Ballet Legato’s Inaugural ‘The Nutcracker’ Combines Tradition with the Unconventional [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato New to Northeast Ohio’s The Nutcracker ballet offerings this holiday season is Ballet Legato’s first-ever production. It will be presented this Saturday, December 18 at Lorain County Community College’s Stocker Arts Center in Elyria. For Ballet Legato executive artistic director Jennifer Kraynik-Muselin the thought of there not being an audience for yet another The Nutcracker production in the area had crossed her … Continue reading Ballet Legato’s Inaugural ‘The Nutcracker’ Combines Tradition with the Unconventional [PREVIEW]

Unknown's avatarartsairLeave a comment
Dance Reviews 2021

Boston Ballet Celebrates Dancing Again in Stylistically Diverse, ‘reSTART’ [REVIEW]

Boston BalletreSTARTDigital ProductionOctober 28- November 7, 2021 By Steve Sucato Kicking off Boston Ballet’s 2021-22 virtual season, reSTART was a bit of a throwback to the type of programming many dance companies offered up during the early part of the global COVID-19 pandemic. It featured the company dancing outdoors and in the studio, along with a previously recorded performance in South Korea by company dancers … Continue reading Boston Ballet Celebrates Dancing Again in Stylistically Diverse, ‘reSTART’ [REVIEW]

Unknown's avatarartsairLeave a comment
Recycled Air

Pittsburgh’s STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos Seeking Dancers

By Kitoko Chargois STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos is seeking 1-2 highly-skilled dancers for upcoming seasons. Contracts include training, rehearsals, performances, and teaching. Compensation information will be discussed upon invitation to the next stage of the audition process. Upon completing the audition registration, you will receive a private link to access video audition criteria which will include three sections of submission: SPdp&SS repertory, … Continue reading Pittsburgh’s STAYCEE PEARL dance project & Soy Sos Seeking Dancers

Unknown's avatarartsairLeave a comment
Dance Reviews 2021

Dance and Visual Art Combine Superbly in Grand Rapids Ballet’s Season Opener [REVIEW]

Grand Rapids BalletOff the CanvasDigital Stage ProductionOctober 17-31, 2021 By Steve Sucato The opening production in Grand Rapids Ballet’s 2021-2022 virtual season, Off the Canvas, was a filmed version of the triple bill presented live by the company, October 15-17 & 22 at their Peter Martin Wege Theatre. In partnership with SALT Creative Production Studio, the productions featuring the works of three contemporaries of GRB artistic … Continue reading Dance and Visual Art Combine Superbly in Grand Rapids Ballet’s Season Opener [REVIEW]

Unknown's avatarartsairLeave a comment
Recycled Air

FEAST: a ballet will be staged live in Cleveland on March 25, 2022

By Marc Lefkowitz CLEVELAND, OH (November 26, 2021) FEAST: a ballet â€” a production that uncovers the disturbing history of human consumption — marks the one-year anniversary of its premiere online performance with the announcement that the ballet will be staged live in the Cleveland area on the evening of March 25, 2022. Ticketing information and details, including Presenting Partner, coming soon. The online premiere of FEAST was produced … Continue reading FEAST: a ballet will be staged live in Cleveland on March 25, 2022

Unknown's avatarartsairLeave a comment
Dance Reviews 2021

Cleveland Ballet’s Condensed Don Q is a Keeper [REVIEW]

Cleveland BalletDon QuixotePlayhouse Square – Mimi Ohio TheatreCleveland, OhioOctober 15-16, 2021 By Steve Sucato A Don Quixote for a modern audience is how Cleveland Ballet artistic director Gladisa Guadalupe described the 7-year-old company’s new paired-down ballet production. In it, Miguel de Cervantes’s familiar Don Quixote tale was delivered in 2-acts instead of the traditional 3 or 4 acts often used. Guadalupe’s interpretation, with choreography after … Continue reading Cleveland Ballet’s Condensed Don Q is a Keeper [REVIEW]

Unknown's avatarartsairLeave a comment