Alexei Ratmansky Ballet to Feature in BalletMet’s ‘For the Love of Dance’ [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato Hot off the heels of their memorable performances of Trey McIntyre’s Peter Pan in February, BalletMet continues its 48th season with For the Love of Dance, March 20-28, 2026, at the Davidson Theatre at The Riffe Center Theatres in Columbus. The mixed-repertory program features a world premiere and two Columbus premieres, including renowned Russian-Ukrainian-American choreographer Alexei Ratmansky’s “Seven Sonatas.” Ratmansky, the former … Continue reading Alexei Ratmansky Ballet to Feature in BalletMet’s ‘For the Love of Dance’ [PREVIEW]

Ballet Excel Ohio Celebrates 50th Anniversary with New ‘Aladdin’ Ballet [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio-based Ballet Excel Ohio, formerly Cuyahoga Valley Youth Ballet, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this weekend with the world premiere of choreographer Erich Yetter’s Aladdin at Akron Civic Theatre.  Founded in 1975 by the late Nan Klinger, the pre-professional ballet troupe grew out of Klinger’s widely respected Excellence in Dance Studio. Now led by Artistic Director Mia Klinger, Nan’s daughter, … Continue reading Ballet Excel Ohio Celebrates 50th Anniversary with New ‘Aladdin’ Ballet [PREVIEW]

Attack Theatre’s 30th Anniversary Season Continues with the Grateful Dead Scored ‘Once in a While’ [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato Who the f-word is Attack Theatre? Those words were uttered in frustration by a famous rock singer some years back after Attack’s longtime music director, Dave Eggar, told them he couldn’t perform with them because of a prior commitment with the small-scale Pittsburgh dance troupe. Rock star aspersions aside, Attack has answered the question of who they are over the past 30 … Continue reading Attack Theatre’s 30th Anniversary Season Continues with the Grateful Dead Scored ‘Once in a While’ [PREVIEW]

Premieres and Recent Works Feature in Ohio Contemporary Ballet’s ‘Ballet Unbound’ in Akron [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato Primed to chase away the winter doldrums, Ohio Contemporary Ballet (OCB) returns to the University of Akron’s E. J. Thomas Hall on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with Ballet Unbound*. The mixed repertory program will showcase four diverse dance works, including two premieres.   Choreographer Avree Walker’s commissioned work for OCB, “Eternal,” is a world premiere danced to music by Johann Sebastian Bach, including … Continue reading Premieres and Recent Works Feature in Ohio Contemporary Ballet’s ‘Ballet Unbound’ in Akron [PREVIEW]

Choreographer Trey McIntyre Details His Re-envisioned ‘Peter Pan’ Ballet For BalletMet [INTERVIEW]

By Steve Sucato Columbus, Ohio-based BalletMet will whisk audiences off to Neverland this Valentine’s Day weekend, February 13-15, in a brand new adaptation of choreographer Trey McIntyre’s 2002 ballet, Peter Pan. Based on J.M. Barrie’s beloved early 20th century tale about Peter Pan, a boy who never grows up, and his adventures with Wendy Darling and her siblings, Captain Hook and his pirates, Tinkerbell and … Continue reading Choreographer Trey McIntyre Details His Re-envisioned ‘Peter Pan’ Ballet For BalletMet [INTERVIEW]

Lessons in Caring Highlight Dancing Wheels’ Production of “Puff the Magic Dragon” [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato First, there was the 1962 song made famous by folk trio Peter, Paul, and Mary. Then, a 1979 juvenile fiction book adaptation by Romeo Muller. Now, Puff the Magic Dragon, the familiar children’s tale about childhood imagination and growing up, is being told as a multimedia ballet. On Saturday, February 7, 2026, at Lake Erie College’s Rickel Theater, Cleveland’s Dancing Wheels Company … Continue reading Lessons in Caring Highlight Dancing Wheels’ Production of “Puff the Magic Dragon” [PREVIEW]

Dance Magazine’s 2026 “25 to Watch”

Steve Sucato Whose careers will skyrocket in 2026? Dance Magazine’s editors and contributors, including myself, from across the dance world, have a few predictions—namely, the artists on our annual “25 to Watch” list. These dancers, choreographers, directors, and companies are already doing exceptional work, but we’re betting on them to break through in a major way in the year to come. Click here to check … Continue reading Dance Magazine’s 2026 “25 to Watch”

BEST OF 2025 

By Steve Sucato 2025 was a year of experimentation for me as a professional dance writer/reviewer. I launched a monthly Airings digest on my website, artsair.art, featuring select dance news, performance impressions, and upcoming event listings, and expanded my arts coverage to include more non-dance events. So, why not end the year with one more experiment, compiling best-of-2025 lists from the dance productions and dancer … Continue reading BEST OF 2025 

Former Dancer Losing Her Vision Is Granted a Nutcracker Wish

By Steve Sucato for Pointe Magazine The holiday season is the perfect time for wishes to come true. So it was for former dancer Jennifer Levine, who received hers thanks to Wish of a Lifetime, a charitable affiliate of AARP that grants life-changing wishes to adults 65 years or older. Jennifer, who is in the advanced stages of macular degeneration, had hoped to once again experience a live … Continue reading Former Dancer Losing Her Vision Is Granted a Nutcracker Wish

The 16th Season of Cleveland Dance Project’s ‘Choreographer Showcase’ to Feature 31 Dancemakers and over 225 dancers [PREVIEW]

By Angelina DiFranco, guest contributor  Cleveland Dance Project’s (CDP) Choreographer Showcase is returning to the stage for its 16th season at Berea Midpark High School this Saturday, November 22, for two shows. The showcase will feature the work of 31 choreographers and over 225 dancers. CDP was founded by local dancer Anna Cerveny in 2017, as she sought a space to train and perform with … Continue reading The 16th Season of Cleveland Dance Project’s ‘Choreographer Showcase’ to Feature 31 Dancemakers and over 225 dancers [PREVIEW]