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’

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

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre delights at Chautauqua Institution

From a prior performance in March 2013: Luca Sbrizzi & Alexandra Kochis in Antony Tudor’s “Jardin Aux Lilas (Lilac Garden)”. Photo by Rich Sofranko. By Steve Sucato News Contributing Reviewer  Following in the footsteps of the many Pittsburghers who annually make the Chautauqua Institution their summer retreat, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre lit up the institution’s amphitheater and the spirits of those in attendance Wednesday night with a marvelously … Continue reading Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre delights at Chautauqua Institution

North Carolina Dance Theatre delights at Chautauqua

By Steve Sucato News Contributing Reviewer For the first of its two performances with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Dance Theatre, in residence at the Chautauqua Institution, presented a stylistically and musically diverse program featuring three works including the world premiere of choreographer Sasha Janes’ “Loss.” The program, Tuesday night in the Institution’s Amphitheater, began with a reprise of choreographer Mark Diamond’s “Appalachian Suite” that premiered … Continue reading North Carolina Dance Theatre delights at Chautauqua

Russian National Ballet dances a pleasing Swan Lake

Reviewed by Steve Sucato A production of “Swan Lake” without its lovers’ tragic end? It appeared so Tuesday as Elena Radchenko’s Russian National Ballet Theatre performed its version of the ballet classic at the University at Buffalo’s Center for the Arts. The enchanted story of maidens under the spell of the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart who take the form of swans during the day and … Continue reading Russian National Ballet dances a pleasing Swan Lake

Talented young dancers on the rise

Photo courtesy of Dance Theatre of Harlem By Steve Sucato News Contributing Reviewer After an eight-year hiatus because of financial woes, Dance Theatre of Harlem returned to touring last year “leaner and meaner,” according to Virginia Johnson, the company’s artistic director and former prima ballerina. The company looked the part Wednesday night in a mixed repertory program at the University at Buffalo‘s Center for the … Continue reading Talented young dancers on the rise

A Captivatingly Magical ‘Nutcracker’

By Steve Sucato News Contributing Reviewer Perhaps more than just another holiday tradition, “The Nutcracker” ballet is for many like a dear old friend you see once a year or so who, remarkably, never ages and whose warmth never fails to conjure fond memories. For a child seeing “The Nutcracker” for the first time, it is an enchanting experience like no other – one whose … Continue reading A Captivatingly Magical ‘Nutcracker’

Passionate, stirring performances mark Neglia Ballet Artists’ tribute to Tchaikovsky

In one of the most breathtaking openings of a ballet ever created, the curtain rose on 17 female dancers arranged in two adjoining diamonds. The identically posed women in light blue with long tulle skirts stood feet parallel, heads tilted, with one arm lifted at a diagonal in front of them palm outward as if holding back something. To read the full review click here Continue reading Passionate, stirring performances mark Neglia Ballet Artists’ tribute to Tchaikovsky