Holograms, Ancient Myths, and Aerial Silks Come Together in CWRU’s Department of Dance’s ‘Voyages’ [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato Mythology and technology take center stage in Case Western Reserve University’s (CWRU) Department of Dance’s fall production, Voyages.  Running November 1-9, 2024, at the University’s Mather Dance Center, Voyages includes two new dance works plus reprises from last year of Martha Graham’s modern dance masterwork, “Cave of the Heart,” and Department of Dance chair Karen Potter’s aerial silks duet, “Into the Wind.”  … Continue reading Holograms, Ancient Myths, and Aerial Silks Come Together in CWRU’s Department of Dance’s ‘Voyages’ [PREVIEW]

Cleveland Ballet Brings the Fright to Open its New Dance Season [PREVIEW]

Cleveland Ballet Dracula and The Masque of the Red DeathMimi Ohio Theatre – Playhouse SquareOctober 18 & 19, 2024 By Steve Sucato Cleveland Ballet embraces the macabre spirit of Halloween to open its 2024-25 season on October 18 & 19 at Playhouse Square’s Mimi Ohio Theatre. Continuing the artistic relationship cultivated last season by Cleveland Ballet’s new artistic director, Timour Bourtasenkov, the company will present four … Continue reading Cleveland Ballet Brings the Fright to Open its New Dance Season [PREVIEW]

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]

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]

Imagination Abounds in Two New Nutcracker Productions [PREVIEWS]

By Steve SucatoDecember 8, 2023 ’Tis the season for Nutcracker, and that includes new productions. This month, Milwaukee Ballet and Orlando Ballet each present world premieres that reimagine the holiday ballet’s magical journey with a mix of tradition, cultural sensitivity, and imagination. Milwaukee Ballet Milwaukee Ballet artistic director Michael Pink reconceptualizes his 2003 The Nutcracker with his new The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium. With his new production, Pink set out to solve … Continue reading Imagination Abounds in Two New Nutcracker Productions [PREVIEWS]

Pittsburgh Dance Council 53rd Season Opens With One Of Its Strongest Productions In A Decade [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato After two Covid-related cancellations, Pittsburgh audiences will finally experience the U.S. premiere of contemporary flamenco artist Rocio Molina’s Caída del Cielo (Fallen from Heaven). The one-woman, full-length, multimedia dance-theater piece kicks off the Pittsburgh Dance Council’s 2023-24 season on Saturday, September 23, at the Byham Theater. In it, Molina contrasts light and darkness, celestial and savage. Accompanied by a live band, Caída del Cielo (Contains … Continue reading Pittsburgh Dance Council 53rd Season Opens With One Of Its Strongest Productions In A Decade [PREVIEW]

Gerald Arpino: His time to be celebrated

By Steve Sucato The Joffrey Ballet, co-founded in 1956 by Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, is proudly described on the company website as “America’s Company of Firsts.” It was the first dance company to appear on American television, the first to grace the cover of Time magazine, the first to perform at the White House, and the first classical dance company to use multimedia and a rock music … Continue reading Gerald Arpino: His time to be celebrated