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’
Burk Shines in Conservatory Dance Company’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’
By Steve Sucato It’s sometimes easy to forget that Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Company is a student troupe. The company so easily appears like a professional one in contemporary and modern dance works. In its latest production, Nicolas Petrov’s Romeo and Juliet, the unforgiving nature of classical ballet technique was a reminder that CDC’s dancers are indeed still students. Nonetheless, as a student production, … Continue reading Burk Shines in Conservatory Dance Company’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Edwaard Liang continues BalletMet’s history of directors who choreograph
By Steve Sucato Newly appointed BalletMet Columbus artistic director Edwaard Liang says he didn’t know he wanted the position until it fell into his lap. The 39-year-old internationally known choreographer had just returned from creating a work for Bolshoi Ballet’s Svetlana Zakharova in Russia when he received an invitation from the BalletMet executive committee to apply. Though he was reluctant to interview at first, he … Continue reading Edwaard Liang continues BalletMet’s history of directors who choreograph
‘Polar Express’ Author and ‘Wicked’ Designer join with Choreographer Caniparoli and Director Barker to create new ‘Nutcracker’ for Grand Rapids Ballet
By Steve Sucato When it comes to Christmas holiday season entertainment in the U.S., The Nutcracker ballet ranks high on the list. The magical tale of a young girl who dreams of a heroic handsome prince that whisks her off to a land of sweets is a favorite of children and adults alike. So when former Pacific Northwest Ballet star Patricia Barker took over as artistic … Continue reading ‘Polar Express’ Author and ‘Wicked’ Designer join with Choreographer Caniparoli and Director Barker to create new ‘Nutcracker’ for Grand Rapids Ballet
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
BalletMet’s Triple Bill of World Premiere Ballets Finds Beauty in Strange Situations
BalletMet Columbus – Innovations BalletMet Performance Space Columbus, OH October 24 – November 8, 2014 Reviewed by Steve Sucato One thing is clear about Edwaard Liang’s first full season as artistic director BalletMet Columbus; the honeymoon period with him as new director shows no signs of being over. On the heels of this past September’s landmark production of Twisted, Liang and company have kept the … Continue reading BalletMet’s Triple Bill of World Premiere Ballets Finds Beauty in Strange Situations
One misstep aside, Contemporary Choreographers is a strong program
Reviewed by Steve Sucato Emotionally powerful and thrilling was the ultimate effect of this past Sunday’s performance of Conservatory Dance Company’s Contemporary Choreographers program. The annual production showcases works by some of today’s best choreographers and talented up-and-comers. This year’s, however, began with a disappointing performance of David Morse’s “BWV 1063.” Set to vibrant music by J.S. Bach, the neoclassical ballet for 19 female dancers on … Continue reading One misstep aside, Contemporary Choreographers is a strong program
Dance work summons the memory of the passenger pigeon
By Steve Sucato Once they were the most populous bird in North America, accounting for a quarter of all birds. But in less than half a century, starting in the late 1800s, unabated commercial and sport hunting and habitat destruction reduced the passenger pigeon’s numbers from billions to none. Their extinction inspires Passenger, a new program by fledgling company Shana Simmons Dance, staged Nov. 14 … Continue reading Dance work summons the memory of the passenger pigeon
No doubt about it: Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company stuns with ‘If At All’
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’
The renowned Royal Ballet of Cambodia makes its Pittsburgh debut
By Steve Sucato With roots tracing to the seventh century, The Royal Ballet of Cambodia is a unique link to Southeast Asia’s temple dances and mythic tales, as handed down for generations. With their rich, ornate costuming and headdresses, the dancers appear like ancient museum statues come to life. After seeing the company on a rare tour to France in 1906, sculptor Auguste Rodin declared, … Continue reading The renowned Royal Ballet of Cambodia makes its Pittsburgh debut
artsair.art 