Category: Pittsburgh City Paper

Pittsburgh City Paper

A nationally touring dance work was inspired by stories collected by the LGBT Elders Oral History Project

By Steve Sucato The rights of the LGBT community have been in the news, with state courts and legislatures extending or denying those rights to residents. But no matter where you fall on such issues, the human desire for love remains a universal truth which binds us all. That is the subject of choreographer Sean Dorsey’s 2014 Isadora Duncan Dance Award-winning work The Secret History of Love, … Continue reading A nationally touring dance work was inspired by stories collected by the LGBT Elders Oral History Project

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Pittsburgh City Paper

Back from a successful New York show, Texture offers new work at the New Hazlett

By Steve Sucato On the heels of a recent successful performance at New York’s Ailey Citigroup Theater, Texture Contemporary Ballet returns home to the New Hazlett Theater this week for Shades of Light. The program features the premiere of company associate artistic director/resident choreographer Kelsey Bartman’s ballet “This.” Set to the music of Icelandic composer/musician Valgeir Sigurosson, the 15-minute ballet for five dancers is a response … Continue reading Back from a successful New York show, Texture offers new work at the New Hazlett

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Pittsburgh City Paper

Trio of ballets combine for one sparkling program

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre – 3 X 3 August Wilson Center Pittsburgh, PA March 9, 2014 Reviewed by Steve Sucato A world premiere, a company premiere and an old favorite combined to make Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s 3 X 3 program at the August Wilson Center this past Sunday a triumph. The program, which runs through March 16, opened with the company premiere of Julia Adam’s “Ketubah” … Continue reading Trio of ballets combine for one sparkling program

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Pittsburgh City Paper

A rising-star choreographer world-premieres her latest at Pittsburgh’s Kelly-Strayhorn Theater

By Steve Sucato When choreographer Sidra Bell began work on garment during a residency at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater last July, she thought it would take one of two directions: romantic or violent. It took neither. Instead, she focused on the idea of “being in one’s own skin” and how we wear that like clothing. On March 7 and 8, the Kelly-Strayhorn presents the world premiere of garment, … Continue reading A rising-star choreographer world-premieres her latest at Pittsburgh’s Kelly-Strayhorn Theater

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Pittsburgh City Paper

Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève opens North American Tour with Pittsburgh Debut

By Steve Sucato Swiss contemporary ballet company Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève opens its five-city North American tour with its Pittsburgh debut Sat., March 8 at the Byham Theater. Presented by the Pittsburgh Dance Council, the acclaimed 52-year-old company is known for its inventiveness, world-class repertory and virtuosic dancers. Moreover, artistic director Philippe Cohen tells CP via email, “the ballet artists from Genève Ballet are men and women whose sole ambition is … Continue reading Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève opens North American Tour with Pittsburgh Debut

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Pittsburgh City Paper

Annual Faculty Choreography Production Soars to New Heights

Conservatory Dance Company – At Point Park University George Rowland White Performance Studio  Pittsburgh, PA February 22, 2014 Reviewed by Steve Sucato Variety marks the Point Park University Conservatory Dance Company’s annual faculty choreography production. The program, whose six works ranged in style and subject matter from the crucifixion of Christ to a tribute to the late Bob Fosse, led with Keisha Lalama’s “All Together … Continue reading Annual Faculty Choreography Production Soars to New Heights

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Pittsburgh City Paper

New ballet explores one man’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease

By Steve Sucato Bodiography Contemporary Ballet Company‘s ongoing dedication to medical-themed dances may yet earn it a new moniker: “Bodiography, M.D.” Artistic director Maria Caruso’s penchant for evening-length ballets exploring health issues has carved out a niche for the company on the regional dance scene. It’s also helped raise awareness on subjects such as heart health, regenerative medicine and coping with loss. In works like 2010’s Heart (Function … Continue reading New ballet explores one man’s struggle with Parkinson’s disease

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Pittsburgh City Paper

‘Beautiful Struggle’ to explore themes of race, gender and privilege

By Steve Sucato The last time Baker & Tarpaga Dance Project visited the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, a dancer’s injury forced the company to alter its program and present a work-in-progress showing of Beautiful Struggle. This weekend, the contemporary dance company based in Columbus, Ohio, and Burkina Faso returns with the completed version of this thought-provoking dance-theater work. Beautiful Struggle “reflects on questions of belonging … visibility and invisibility, which are themes often … Continue reading ‘Beautiful Struggle’ to explore themes of race, gender and privilege

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Pittsburgh City Paper

Pittsburgh Ballet soloists sound off on ‘Swan Lake’

By Steve Sucato Like professional sports teams, ballet companies go through ups and downs when it comes to talent. While the Steelers have struggled lately with a lack of it, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has been loaded with it. Most impressive have been PBT’s major story ballets. In 2012, the company wowed audiences with Giselle, and followed up with an engaging Cinderella this past April. Now it offers another … Continue reading Pittsburgh Ballet soloists sound off on ‘Swan Lake’

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Pittsburgh City Paper

Nationally rising talent Alan Obuzor debuts a new dance work

By Steve Sucato Ever since Alan Obuzor was young, his mother, Marjorie Liese, encouraged her children to try different things. Having enrolled Alan and his three sisters in gymnastics at Gymkhana, in Point Breeze, Liese had them also try dance classes at a studio in the same building. The move would change Obuzor’s life. “After my first ballet class, I told my mother I wanted … Continue reading Nationally rising talent Alan Obuzor debuts a new dance work

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