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

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’

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