Contemporary Choreographers program is a triumph

Reviewed by Steve Sucato A clap of thunder and the sound of howling winds hailed the four dancers who appeared out of darkness, emerging into the spotlight upstage at Point Park University’s George Rowland White Performance Studio. The startling opening of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre corps de ballet dancer Cooper Verona’s “Very Instinctual” set the tone for an impressive ballet packed with surprises. The work opened … Continue reading Contemporary Choreographers program is a triumph

Relationship Expectations Explored in the U.S. Premiere Luke Murphy’s ‘Drenched’

By Steve Sucato Romantic relationships are fragile creatures. Fantasy, and expectation of what is desired of them, can cloud partners’ thinking, or simply unravel in the light of reality. That’s the premise of dancer/choreographer Luke Murphy’s Drenched. The 60-minute multimedia work is coming off a successful run this past September as part of Ireland’s Absolut Fringe Festival. Drenched makes its U.S. premiere at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater on … Continue reading Relationship Expectations Explored in the U.S. Premiere Luke Murphy’s ‘Drenched’

Hips Don’t Lie

By Steve Sucato It’s no ordinary dance competition. The Belly-Off 2012, at the Pittsburgh Dance Center, pits belly-dancers against one another in an impromptu skills improvisation to live music by Pittsburgh vintage belly-dance bandIshtar. As organized by local belly-dance queen Janim (pictured) and last year’s winner, Mehira, the second annual competition and show also features demonstrations in belly-dancing, aerial silks and tango. Upward of 20 local and regional … Continue reading Hips Don’t Lie