Author: artsair

International arts writer/critic for newspapers, magazines and websites.
Pittsburgh City Paper

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet brings world-class moves to Cleveland’s PlayhouseSquare (review)

By Steve Sucato When Walmart heiress Nancy Laurie founded New York-based Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet a decade ago, skepticism abounded over the troupe with a big-city budget and a small-town name. Since then, however, the company has created quite the buzz in the dance world for its to-die-for repertory by A-list choreographers and its talented roster of international dancers. Saturday night at PlayhouseSquare’s Ohio Theatre, … Continue reading Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet brings world-class moves to Cleveland’s PlayhouseSquare (review)

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Pittsburgh City Paper

Choreographers debut works-in-progress at Alloy Studios

By Steve Sucato When Mana Kawamura and Gia T. Cacalano show their works-in-progress at The Alloy Studios Feb. 1, the Friendship studio space itself will play a role. The recipients of a Kelly-Strayhorn Theater Next Stage Dance Residency, both choreographers were given a week in The Alloy Studios at the end of January to create new works. Prior to their residencies, both artists told me … Continue reading Choreographers debut works-in-progress at Alloy Studios

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Pittsburgh City Paper

Fiesta Flamenca takes a big step forward

By Steve Sucato Flamenco dance, the most famous export of Spain’s Andalusia region, will take center stage Thu., Jan. 23, at North Side’s New Hazlett Theater — the latest, and largest, celebration of Flamenco Pittsburgh’s bi-annual Fiesta Flamenca. The all-ages program will have a different vibe this time, says Carolina Loyola-Garcia, Flamenco Pittsburgh’s co-founder and director. What started five years ago as a student showcase held at … Continue reading Fiesta Flamenca takes a big step forward

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Pittsburgh City Paper

CorningWorks’ ‘Recipes Our Mothers Gave Us’ works a cooking metaphor for life

By Steve Sucato While life doesn’t come with an instruction manual, the wisdom of those who have come before us is supposed to offer guidance. But what if some of that wisdom — those recipes for happiness, success and fulfillment — turn out to be nothing more than clichés passed from generation to generation? In CorningWorks’ latest Glue Factory Project, Recipes Our Mothers Gave Us, three veteran dancers with … Continue reading CorningWorks’ ‘Recipes Our Mothers Gave Us’ works a cooking metaphor for life

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Pittsburgh City Paper

2013’s Seven Most Transportive Dance Programs in Pittsburgh

By Steve Sucato In a year filled with great dance programs in Pittsburgh, here are seven that transported audiences from their seats to worlds away. Soap Opera (Attack Theatre, Feb. 2-10). Soap Opera mixed dance, mythology and opera music to tell the fictitious story of a terminally ill concert pianist — and his opera-singer lover’s bedside efforts to keep him alive by reading colorful stories aloud. The work … Continue reading 2013’s Seven Most Transportive Dance Programs in Pittsburgh

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Pittsburgh City Paper

Continuum Dance Theater’s ‘Object of DESIRE’ explores the American dream

By Steve Sucato A nuclear family with 2.5 kids, a dog and a house with a white picket fence has been the stereotypical vision of the American dream. But is that vision still relevant? That is the question behind Continuum Dance Theater’s Objects of DESIRE, which the company will world-premiere Sat., Dec. 14, as part of the New Hazlett Theater’s Community Supported Art performance series. The 50-minute, … Continue reading Continuum Dance Theater’s ‘Object of DESIRE’ explores the American dream

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Dance Reviews 2013, The Buffalo News

Greater Niagara Ballet Company’s ‘Nutcracker’ production shows heart

By Steve Sucato News Contributing Reviewer One of Western New York’s oldest productions of “The Nutcracker,” Greater Niagara Ballet Company’s 36th annual version of the ballet, filled the stage of the Performing Arts Center at Niagara Falls High School on Saturday afternoon, mixing “Nutcracker” tradition with a very kid-friendly slant. Choreographed by ballet company founder and artistic director Beverley Feder and danced to a recording … Continue reading Greater Niagara Ballet Company’s ‘Nutcracker’ production shows heart

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Pittsburgh City Paper

Pittsburgh’s father of professional ballet and Point Park’s dance program retires — Conservatory Dance Company honors longtime teacher by staging his ‘Romeo and Juliet’

By Steve Sucato When Nicolas Petrov assumed the directorship of the Pittsburgh Playhouse‘s ballet school, in 1967, no one could have foreseen that within a few years, the Yugoslavian-born dancer and choreographer would forever alter the Pittsburgh dance landscape by founding two of its major institutions: Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and Point Park University‘s renowned dance department.  Now, on the eve of Professor Petrov’s retirement from Point … Continue reading Pittsburgh’s father of professional ballet and Point Park’s dance program retires — Conservatory Dance Company honors longtime teacher by staging his ‘Romeo and Juliet’

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Dance Reviews 2013, The Buffalo News

Neglia, BPO offer a charming ‘Nutcracker’

By Steve Sucato News Contributing Reviewer In its fifth consecutive year, the collaboration between Neglia Ballet Artists and Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on “The Nutcracker” has blossomed into a holiday tradition. That tradition continued Saturday as the two institutions, along with Shea’s Performing Arts Center, once again presented the family-friendly production. The ballet, choreographed by Neglia’s Sergio Neglia and Heidi Halt, told the familiar story of young … Continue reading Neglia, BPO offer a charming ‘Nutcracker’

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