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

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’

Another strong outing for Point Park’s ‘Contemporary Choreographers’ showcase

Reviewed by Steve Sucato One thing I have learned over a decade of reviewing Point Park University‘s Conservatory Dance Company’s shows is that they rarely contain a dull moment. The 2013 version of CDC’s annual Contemporary Choreographers program, this past Saturday, was no different. Fate brought former Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre soloist Terence Marling back to Pittsburgh — or at least the subject did. Of his new work … Continue reading Another strong outing for Point Park’s ‘Contemporary Choreographers’ showcase

Traditional music and dance of Hungary come alive

By Steve Sucato News Contributing Reviewer The folk music and dance of Hungry lit up the Mainstage Theatre at UB’s Center for the Arts on Tuesday night as Budapest’s Hungarian State Folk Ensemble presented Hungarian Rhapsody, a delightful gypsy-themed journey through centuries of traditional Hungarian song and dance. From the outset, one got the feeling of being transported to an authentic Hungarian village festival where the … Continue reading Traditional music and dance of Hungary come alive

Case Western Reserve University’s ‘Au Courant’ an Emotional Journey

Case Western Reserve University Department of Dance – Au Courant Mather Dance Center at CWRU Cleveland, Ohio November 1, 2013 Reviewed by Steve Sucato Fervent emotion appeared to be the underlying theme of Case Western Reserve University’s Department of Dance Fall concert Au Courant (aware). The mixed repertory program performed by students, faculty and guest dancers at CWRU’s Mather Dance Center, explored a range of emotions … Continue reading Case Western Reserve University’s ‘Au Courant’ an Emotional Journey

Verb Ballets’ ‘The Masque,’ based on the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, can’t hide its flaws

Reviewed by Steve Sucato Special to The Plain Dealer  “Disappointing” best describes Verb Ballets’ “The Masque: The Stories of Edgar Allan Poe.” The rock opera-styled ballet that had its world premiere at the Breen Center for the Performing Arts at St. Ignatius High School on Friday night had enormous potential, given Verb’s talented dancers, Poe’s iconic poems and stories, and the brilliant musical talents of … Continue reading Verb Ballets’ ‘The Masque,’ based on the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, can’t hide its flaws

Paul Taylor Dance Company brings joy, humor and genius to PlayhouseSquare

Reviewed by Steve Sucato Special to The Plain Dealer  With a body of work that is as rich and celebrated as choreographer Paul Taylor’s, the question when his namesake company comes to Cleveland is not whether it will be a good program but whether it will be a great one. Saturday night’s performance by the Paul Taylor Dance Company at PlayhouseSquare’s Ohio Theatre was the … Continue reading Paul Taylor Dance Company brings joy, humor and genius to PlayhouseSquare

BalletX opens DANCECleveland season with engaging program

By Steve Sucato Special to The Plain Dealer  DANCECleveland hit a home run with its season opener of BalletX Saturday night at the University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall. The contemporary ballet troupe from Philadelphia, in its Northeast Ohio debut, presented a memorable mixed repertory program of three engaging ballets performed adroitly by its versatile dancers. To read the full review click here Continue reading BalletX opens DANCECleveland season with engaging program

‘Rite of Spring’ Highlights Joffrey Ballet’s Program at Blossom Festival

The Joffrey Ballet in Nijinsky’s “The Rite of Spring”. Photo by Roger Mastroianni. Blossom Music Center Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio August 17, 2013 Reviewed by Steve Sucato Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet continued its longstanding relationship with The Cleveland Orchestra that began in 1971 with two performances at the orchestra’s summer Blossom Music Festival. Since 2009 the company has made annual appearances with the orchestra in the Cleveland, … Continue reading ‘Rite of Spring’ Highlights Joffrey Ballet’s Program at Blossom Festival

GroundWorks’ Program Proves Intriguing and Entertaining

Cain Park – Alma Theater Cleveland Heights, Ohio August 18, 2013 By Steve Sucato For the 11th straight summer GroundWorks DanceTheater presented a program of repertory works at Cleveland Heights, Ohio’s Cain Park. The 5-member troupe, which for the past 15-years has been the Cleveland-Akron area’s most consistent in quality continued that trend with a trio of works performed in the Park’s intimate Alma Theater. … Continue reading GroundWorks’ Program Proves Intriguing and Entertaining