Madison Ballet Comes Into Its Own Under Director Ja’ Malik
By Steve Sucato for Point Magazine + Madison Ballet’s long-term goal of becoming a full-time professional ballet company finally came to fruition in 2022 with the hiring of new artistic director Ja’ Malik. Founded in 1981 as Wisconsin Dance Ensemble to produce an annual Nutcracker production, the organization’s fortunes had waxed and waned over its four decades. A turning point came in 1999 with the arrival of previous … Continue reading Madison Ballet Comes Into Its Own Under Director Ja’ Malik
Utah Dance Company’s Northeast Ohio Debut was Top-Notch [REVIEW]
SALT Contemporary Dance CompanyNear West TheatreCleveland, OhioSunday, March 3, 2024 By Steve Sucato Like A-list celebrities, the dance world has its own levels of draw and notoriety. A-listers like Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Paris Opera Ballet have a certain cachet with audiences, while others struggle for audience visibility outside their own regions. On tour, those non-A-listers looking to win over new audiences do … Continue reading Utah Dance Company’s Northeast Ohio Debut was Top-Notch [REVIEW]
Taylor Company Triple Bill A Triumph [REVIEW]
Paul Taylor Dance CompanyMimi Ohio Theatre at Playhouse SquareCleveland, OhioSaturday, January 20, 2024 By Steve Sucato To kick off the celebrations of New York City-based Paul Taylor Dance Company’s 70th Anniversary, the company returned to Cleveland this past Saturday night with a triple bill of riveting dance works. The performance at Playhouse Square’s Mimi Ohio Theatre featured two of late choreographer Paul Taylor’s critically acclaimed … Continue reading Taylor Company Triple Bill A Triumph [REVIEW]
How The Nutcracker became the most popular ballet in the world – and a holiday colossus
By Clémence Michallon (The Independent, United Kingdom) It’s Christmas Eve. A girl is given a wooden nutcracker. She falls asleep; suddenly, she’s transported into another world, where toys are as tall as humans, mice rebel against their king, and flowers are free to waltz. Every December, the story gets told anew: At dance companies around the world, Nutcracker season whirls in. The Nutcracker is one of the most popular … Continue reading How The Nutcracker became the most popular ballet in the world – and a holiday colossus
Imagination Abounds in Two New Nutcracker Productions [PREVIEWS]
By Steve SucatoDecember 8, 2023 ’Tis the season for Nutcracker, and that includes new productions. This month, Milwaukee Ballet and Orlando Ballet each present world premieres that reimagine the holiday ballet’s magical journey with a mix of tradition, cultural sensitivity, and imagination. Milwaukee Ballet Milwaukee Ballet artistic director Michael Pink reconceptualizes his 2003 The Nutcracker with his new The Nutcracker: Drosselmeyer’s Imaginarium. With his new production, Pink set out to solve … Continue reading Imagination Abounds in Two New Nutcracker Productions [PREVIEWS]
Philadanco Triumphs in Super-Charged Return to Cleveland [REVIEW]
Philadanco! (The Philadelphia Dance Company)Playhouse Square – Mimi Ohio TheatreNovember 11, 2023By Steve Sucato Absent from DANCECleveland’s dance card since 2006, Philadanco’s triumphant return to Cleveland Saturday night at Playhouse Square’s Mimi Ohio Theatre begged the question, why did it take so long to have them back? Presented by DANCECleveland and Tri-C Performing Arts, the 53+-year-old Philadelphia-based modern dance company kicked butt in four uber-energetic … Continue reading Philadanco Triumphs in Super-Charged Return to Cleveland [REVIEW]
Cincinnati Ballet announces departure of Artistic Director Jodie Gates
By Nicole Doll Cincinnati, OH (September 22, 2023) – Cincinnati Ballet’s Board of Trustees announced todaythat Jodie Gates, Artistic Director of Cincinnati Ballet and the Cincinnati Ballet Otto M. BudigAcademy, has departed the organization to pursue other opportunities. “This mutual decision ensures that Cincinnati Ballet can continue its mission to enrich, expand, andexcel in the art of dance through world-class performance, a high-caliber academy, andimpactful … Continue reading Cincinnati Ballet announces departure of Artistic Director Jodie Gates
Pittsburgh Dance Council 53rd Season Opens With One Of Its Strongest Productions In A Decade [PREVIEW]
By Steve Sucato After two Covid-related cancellations, Pittsburgh audiences will finally experience the U.S. premiere of contemporary flamenco artist Rocio Molina’s Caída del Cielo (Fallen from Heaven). The one-woman, full-length, multimedia dance-theater piece kicks off the Pittsburgh Dance Council’s 2023-24 season on Saturday, September 23, at the Byham Theater. In it, Molina contrasts light and darkness, celestial and savage. Accompanied by a live band, Caída del Cielo (Contains … Continue reading Pittsburgh Dance Council 53rd Season Opens With One Of Its Strongest Productions In A Decade [PREVIEW]
Popular ‘Carmen’ Ballet Returns to Open Cleveland Ballet’s Ninth Season [PREVIEW]
By Rena Vysnionis (with Steve Sucato) Cleveland Ballet opens its 2023-2024 mainstage season at Playhouse Square’s Connor Palace, September 22-23, with the triple bill Carmen & Other Works. Here’s a look: “Pas de Dix” from the 1898 ballet Raymonda features exquisite original choreography by Marius Petipa for five couples to the inspiring score by Alexander Glazunov. It is one of the most performed works by major ballet companies worldwide. Casting: Gabriela Checo, Alexander Guzmán, … Continue reading Popular ‘Carmen’ Ballet Returns to Open Cleveland Ballet’s Ninth Season [PREVIEW]
‘Weave the Wind’ Highlights Program A of Chamber Dance Project’s Festival of Ballets [REVIEW]
Chamber Dance ProjectSLAM: A Festival of Ballets – Program AGreenberg TheaterWashington, DCJune 22, 2023 By Steve Sucato In celebration of the company’s ten years in Washington, D.C., contemporary ballet company Chamber Dance Project (CDP) presented SLAM: A Festival of Ballets, June 22-25 at Washington’s Greenberg Theatre. Program A of SLAM: A Festival of Ballets on June 22 featured two world premiere dance works, reprises of … Continue reading ‘Weave the Wind’ Highlights Program A of Chamber Dance Project’s Festival of Ballets [REVIEW]
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