Classic Hollywood Glitz, Glamour, and Dance and Music Entertainment are Brought to Life in ‘Strictly Gershwin’ [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato The iconic Jazz Age music of American songwriting team George and Ira Gershwin is celebrated in the dance and music extravaganza Strictly Gershwin this weekend, October 4-6, at Playhouse Square’s KeyBank State Theatre. Co-commissioned initially by Playhouse Square President & CEO Craig HassallAM while at the English National Ballet, Royal Albert Hall, and Raymond Gubbay, Ltd., Strictly Gershwin is a two-hour celebration … Continue reading Classic Hollywood Glitz, Glamour, and Dance and Music Entertainment are Brought to Life in ‘Strictly Gershwin’ [PREVIEW]

A Q & A With Maria Caruso On Her New Dance Theater Production at London’s Royal Drury Lane Theatre [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato  Incarnation, a follow-up to the internationally celebrated solo artist Maria Caruso’s critically acclaimed magnum opus Metamorphosis, will premiere October 2-3 at London’s famous Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Inspired by audience reactions to Metamorphosis and a desire to know more about Caruso’s story, Incarnation continues the heartfelt story of one woman’s tragedies and triumphs.  I talked with the Pittsburgh native about the new … Continue reading A Q & A With Maria Caruso On Her New Dance Theater Production at London’s Royal Drury Lane Theatre [PREVIEW]

The Pillow Project Celebrates 20 Years of Evolution in ‘The Long Dream’ [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato Constant evolution has been a hallmark of Pittsburgh’s The Pillow Project. Since its founding in 2004 by artistic director/choreographer Pearlann Porter, the project-based contemporary dance company has gone from early productions resembling long-form music videos to those steeped in video projection and unique lighting design. Throughout those years of change, one thing has remained constant: that of Porter and the creativity flowing … Continue reading The Pillow Project Celebrates 20 Years of Evolution in ‘The Long Dream’ [PREVIEW]

Cleveland Choreographer Morgan Walker to Premiere Dance Work at Detroit Dance City Festival (PREVIEW)

By Guest Contributor Angelina DiFranco Regarded as one of Cleveland’s acclaimed dance artists and burgeoning choreographers, Morgan Walker will premiere her latest commissioned work, Where I End, and You Begin, as part of the Detroit Dance City Festival on Saturday, September 7, at 2:30 p.m.  Walker has created and presented works for Kent State University, Bellingham Repertory Dance, GroundWorks DanceTheater, Dancing Wheels Company, Mark DeGarmo … Continue reading Cleveland Choreographer Morgan Walker to Premiere Dance Work at Detroit Dance City Festival (PREVIEW)

A Conversation With Remi Wörtmeyer, BalletMet’s New Artistic Director

By Steve Sucato This past June, Columbus, Ohio’s BalletMet named Remi Wörtmeyer as its new artistic director. The choreographer, visual artist, fashion designer, and former dancer became BalletMet’s sixth director since its founding in 1978. He succeeds Edwaard Liang, who is now the artistic director of The Washington Ballet. Born and raised in Australia, Wörtmeyer had a notable career as a dancer with The Australian Ballet, American Ballet … Continue reading A Conversation With Remi Wörtmeyer, BalletMet’s New Artistic Director

Contemporary Ballet, Scandinavian Kulning, Bluegrass and Old-time Music come together in Chamber Dance Project’s Ramblin’ [VIDEO PREVIEW]

The production entitled Ramblin’, at downtown Washington, D.C.’s Sydney Harman Hall will feature Tony Award®-winning band The Red Clay Ramblers playing live. Continue reading Contemporary Ballet, Scandinavian Kulning, Bluegrass and Old-time Music come together in Chamber Dance Project’s Ramblin’ [VIDEO PREVIEW]

Fanaticism, Duality, Slavery, and Human Connection are Themes Explored in Cleveland Public Theatre’s DanceWorks 2024 [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato  Launched in 2004, Cleveland Public Theatre’s DanceWorks is the longest-running annual dance series of its kind in the region. The series celebrates the variety of dance local dance artists and companies offer. Audiences each year are treated to productions from established artists and companies while being introduced to new troupes and artists in the series which has become a fixture on the … Continue reading Fanaticism, Duality, Slavery, and Human Connection are Themes Explored in Cleveland Public Theatre’s DanceWorks 2024 [PREVIEW]

How The Nutcracker became the most popular ballet in the world – and a holiday colossus

By Clémence Michallon (The Independent, United Kingdom) It’s Christmas Eve. A girl is given a wooden nutcracker. She falls asleep; suddenly, she’s transported into another world, where toys are as tall as humans, mice rebel against their king, and flowers are free to waltz. Every December, the story gets told anew: At dance companies around the world, Nutcracker season whirls in. The Nutcracker is one of the most popular … Continue reading How The Nutcracker became the most popular ballet in the world – and a holiday colossus