Category: Dance Reviews 2014

Dance Reviews 2014, Pittsburgh City Paper

fireWALL Dance Theater’s ‘Uproar’ an Unexpected Holiday Treat

Reviewed by Steve Sucato For its sophomore effort, fireWALL Dance Theater embarked on a unique project. The resident dance company at Carnegie’s Off the Wall performing-arts center created a companion dance-theater piece to the Liz Duffy Adams play Or, now being staged by Off the Wall’s acting troupe. Adams’ Or, tells a fictional story of 17th-century British poet, spy and playwright Aphra Behn’s efforts to write … Continue reading fireWALL Dance Theater’s ‘Uproar’ an Unexpected Holiday Treat

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Dance Reviews 2014, The Plain Dealer

Flashes of brilliance and child-friendly angle fail to redeem Moscow Ballet’s ‘Great Russian Nutcracker’

By Steve Sucato  Special to the Plain Dealer As professional “Nutcracker” ballet productions go, there was little “great” about Moscow Ballet’s “Great Russian Nutcracker” Dec. 22 at Cleveland Music Hall. The choreography was oversimplified, the corps de ballet’s dancing was poor, and the gratuitous use of local child dancers in many scenes felt forced. However, the production was not without its charm and wow moments. … Continue reading Flashes of brilliance and child-friendly angle fail to redeem Moscow Ballet’s ‘Great Russian Nutcracker’

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Dance International, Dance Reviews 2014

Northeast Ohio Summer Dance in Review

Reviewed by Steve Sucato It’s a tale of two cities when it comes to summer dance in Northeast Ohio; two marquee, municipally run performance series, one in Akron and the other in Cleveland, count for the bulk of the region’s professional dance by local and nationally touring companies. Billed as the oldest, free summer dance series in the United States, the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival … Continue reading Northeast Ohio Summer Dance in Review

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Dance Reviews 2014

BalletMet’s Triple Bill of World Premiere Ballets Finds Beauty in Strange Situations

BalletMet Columbus – Innovations BalletMet Performance Space Columbus, OH October 24 – November 8, 2014 Reviewed by Steve Sucato One thing is clear about Edwaard Liang’s first full season as artistic director BalletMet Columbus; the honeymoon period with him as new director shows no signs of being over. On the heels of this past September’s landmark production of Twisted, Liang and company have kept the … Continue reading BalletMet’s Triple Bill of World Premiere Ballets Finds Beauty in Strange Situations

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Dance Reviews 2014, Pittsburgh City Paper

One misstep aside, Contemporary Choreographers is a strong program

Reviewed by Steve Sucato Emotionally powerful and thrilling was the ultimate effect of this past Sunday’s performance of Conservatory Dance Company’s Contemporary Choreographers program. The annual production showcases works by some of today’s best choreographers and talented up-and-comers. This year’s, however, began with a disappointing performance of David Morse’s “BWV 1063.” Set to vibrant music by J.S. Bach, the neoclassical ballet for 19 female dancers on … Continue reading One misstep aside, Contemporary Choreographers is a strong program

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Dance Reviews 2014, Pittsburgh City Paper

Broken Hearts and Broken Minds Highlight GroundWorks’ Emotionally Penetrating Fall Program

GroundWorks dancers in Johannes Wieland’s wait. now. go. now. Photo by Mark Horning. GroundWorks DanceTheater – Fall Program October 24-25, 2014 Allen Theatre at PlayhouseSquare Cleveland, OH Reviewed by Steve Sucato Whoever coined the phrase “bigger is better” could not have accounted for what Cleveland-based GroundWorks DanceTheater has been able to accomplish with just five dancers.  In its 16th season the tiny troupe led by … Continue reading Broken Hearts and Broken Minds Highlight GroundWorks’ Emotionally Penetrating Fall Program

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Dance Reviews 2014, The Buffalo News

Neglia’s “Baba Yaga” is a bewitching ballet

By Steve Sucato News Contributing Reviewer Neglia Ballet Artists opened its 15th anniversary season Saturday afternoon in Shea’s Performing Arts Center with the often-performed Halloween favorite, “Baba Yaga.” The kid-friendly ballet – based on a Russian folktale and adapted for the stage by Neglia Ballet artistic director/choreographer Sergio Neglia – delighted the audience, many who came in Halloween costumes. With an easy-to-follow and spooky story, … Continue reading Neglia’s “Baba Yaga” is a bewitching ballet

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Dance Reviews 2014

Landmark Production One for the Ages

BalletMet Columbus, Opera Columbus and Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Chorus – Twisted: A Trio of Excellence Ohio Theatre Columbus, Ohio September 25-28, 2014 Reviewed by Steve Sucato It’s a wonderful thing when what sounds good in theory is even better in real life. Such was the case in the landmark collaboration Twisted: A Trio of Excellence featuring BalletMet Columbus, Opera Columbus and the Columbus Symphony … Continue reading Landmark Production One for the Ages

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Dance Reviews 2014, The Plain Dealer

In return to Northeast Ohio, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet wows with ‘Return to a Strange Land’

By STEVE SUCATO Special to The Plain Dealer AKRON, Ohio — DANCECleveland, in conjunction with The University of Akron’s EJ Thomas Hall, kicked off its 2014-2015 with the return of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Sunday. The 11-member touring company, last seen in the region in 2010, brought with it to the former home of the Ohio Ballet — another troupe known for its touring popularity … Continue reading In return to Northeast Ohio, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet wows with ‘Return to a Strange Land’

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Dance Reviews 2014, The Buffalo News

Two world premieres highlight LehrerDance’s solid night of dance

By Steve Sucato News Contributing Reviewer For the third year running, Buffalo’s LehrerDance opened the M&T Bank Dance Series in University at Buffalo Center for the Arts. The internationally touring professional dance company presented six works by artistic director/choreographer Jon Lehrer, including two world premieres Saturday night on the Mainstage Theatre. The vibrant program opened with “Fused by 8” (2009), a work in which its … Continue reading Two world premieres highlight LehrerDance’s solid night of dance

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