As a dancer, Abraham has a most distinctive way of moving that blends modern, contemporary and hip hop styles into seemingly steroid fueled movement riffs counterbalanced by tender moments of graceful serenity. Continue reading Wendy Whelan’s ‘Restless Creature’ a sumptuous dance memory to cherish (review)
Reviewed by Steve Sucato CLEVELAND, Ohio — Saturday’s “Founders Showcase” proved an emphatic exclamation point to The International Association of Blacks in Dance’s 27th annual conference and festival held for the first time in Cleveland. The all-star program presented by Cleveland Dance Movement of some of the nation’s top dance companies at PlayhouseSquare’s Ohio Theatre was unlike any in magnitude and quality in recent memory in … Continue reading International Association of Blacks in Dance conference wraps with astounding ‘Founders Showcase’ event
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’
Reviewed by Steve Sucato The idea of circularity in life and our existing in circles of the individual, the couple, and society was the theme for Israeli choreographer Rami Be’er’s 2012 dance work “If At All,” performed last weekend by Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company in the Ohio Theatre at at PlayhouseSquare in Cleveland. The underlying theme of circles, figurative and abstract, is a recurring one … Continue reading No doubt about it: Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company stuns with ‘If At All’
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’
Reviewed by Steve Sucato Special to The Plain Dealer “Disappointing” best describes Verb Ballets’ “The Masque: The Stories of Edgar Allan Poe.” The rock opera-styled ballet that had its world premiere at the Breen Center for the Performing Arts at St. Ignatius High School on Friday night had enormous potential, given Verb’s talented dancers, Poe’s iconic poems and stories, and the brilliant musical talents of … Continue reading Verb Ballets’ ‘The Masque,’ based on the tales of Edgar Allan Poe, can’t hide its flaws
Reviewed by Steve Sucato Special to The Plain Dealer With a body of work that is as rich and celebrated as choreographer Paul Taylor’s, the question when his namesake company comes to Cleveland is not whether it will be a good program but whether it will be a great one. Saturday night’s performance by the Paul Taylor Dance Company at PlayhouseSquare’s Ohio Theatre was the … Continue reading Paul Taylor Dance Company brings joy, humor and genius to PlayhouseSquare
By Steve Sucato Special to The Plain Dealer DANCECleveland hit a home run with its season opener of BalletX Saturday night at the University of Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall. The contemporary ballet troupe from Philadelphia, in its Northeast Ohio debut, presented a memorable mixed repertory program of three engaging ballets performed adroitly by its versatile dancers. To read the full review click here Continue reading BalletX opens DANCECleveland season with engaging program
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