Contemporary Choreographers program is a triumph
Reviewed by Steve Sucato A clap of thunder and the sound of howling winds hailed the four dancers who appeared out of darkness, emerging into the spotlight upstage at Point Park University’s George Rowland White Performance Studio. The startling opening of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre corps de ballet dancer Cooper Verona’s “Very Instinctual” set the tone for an impressive ballet packed with surprises. The work opened … Continue reading Contemporary Choreographers program is a triumph
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’
Spellbound Contemporary Ballet Opens First U.S. Tour with a Program Showing Brilliance but Lacking in Variety
Reviewed by Steve Sucato The old adage about too much of a good thing being undesirable was evident in the program Italy’s Spellbound Contemporary Ballet presented to open their first “official” U.S. tour at Cleveland’s Ohio Theatre at PlayhouseSquare Center. Without equivocation the 9-member troupe from Rome was breathtaking in artistic director/choreographer Mauro Astolfi’s exquisite contemporary ballet choreography for each of the works on the … Continue reading Spellbound Contemporary Ballet Opens First U.S. Tour with a Program Showing Brilliance but Lacking in Variety
Relationship Expectations Explored in the U.S. Premiere Luke Murphy’s ‘Drenched’
By Steve Sucato Romantic relationships are fragile creatures. Fantasy, and expectation of what is desired of them, can cloud partners’ thinking, or simply unravel in the light of reality. That’s the premise of dancer/choreographer Luke Murphy’s Drenched. The 60-minute multimedia work is coming off a successful run this past September as part of Ireland’s Absolut Fringe Festival. Drenched makes its U.S. premiere at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater on … Continue reading Relationship Expectations Explored in the U.S. Premiere Luke Murphy’s ‘Drenched’
Pittsburgh’s Kelly Strayhorn Theater accepts applications for 2013 dance residency and performance
The Next Stage Residency, created by the Kelly Strayhorn Theater five years ago, is designed to support talented choreographers by giving them the opportunity to explore and develop new material and get feedback during a one-week creative residency that culminates with a showing at the end of that week. Choreographers are invited to submit an application to participate in the 2013 Next Stage Residency program. … Continue reading Pittsburgh’s Kelly Strayhorn Theater accepts applications for 2013 dance residency and performance
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre celebrates the holiday season with The Nutcracker
PITTSBURGH, PA – Onstage Dec. 7-30, at the Benedum Center, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre brings the magic of The Nutcracker home for the holidays with a Pittsburgh-inspired production featuring more than 210 costumes, 190 performers and turn-of-the-century Pittsburgh set design. Recognized as one of the most popular ballets of all time, The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic based on the German tale written by E.T.A. … Continue reading Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre celebrates the holiday season with The Nutcracker
Dance Magazine says Grand Rapids Ballet Company ‘is experiencing a renaissance’
By Jeffrey Kaczmarczyk | jkaczmarczyk@mlive.com on November 07, 2012 at 2:25 PM, updated November 07, 2012 at 2:27 PM Reposted from mlive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI – “Grand Rapids Ballet Company is experiencing a renaissance.” That’s the opening of an article in the current issue of Dance Magazine, now available on the newsstand. In its Dance Matters column, titled “Rapids Rising” in its November issue, Steve Sucato gushes about Grand Rapids Ballet Company’s fortunes … Continue reading Dance Magazine says Grand Rapids Ballet Company ‘is experiencing a renaissance’
Rapids Rising
By Steve Sucato Grand Rapids Ballet Company is experiencing a renaissance. An ambitious new repertoire, record-breaking sold-out performances, and a renewed local buzz have revitalized the 41-year-old company. Its resurgence came about with the arrival of former Pacific Northwest Ballet star Patricia Barker as the company’s new artistic director in 2010. In just a few seasons, the first-time director has taken GRBC from a little-known … Continue reading Rapids Rising
Composer Elliott Carter dies at age 103
Composer Elliott Carter, internationally recognized as one of the most distinguished American voices in classical music, has passed away at the age of 103 in New York. In a career that spanned over 75 years, Carter composed 158 works ranging from early masterpieces such as Symphony No. 1 (1942) and Holiday Overture (1944), to Dialogues II (2012) which premiered on October 25 at La Scala, … Continue reading Composer Elliott Carter dies at age 103
Hips Don’t Lie
By Steve Sucato It’s no ordinary dance competition. The Belly-Off 2012, at the Pittsburgh Dance Center, pits belly-dancers against one another in an impromptu skills improvisation to live music by Pittsburgh vintage belly-dance bandIshtar. As organized by local belly-dance queen Janim (pictured) and last year’s winner, Mehira, the second annual competition and show also features demonstrations in belly-dancing, aerial silks and tango. Upward of 20 local and regional … Continue reading Hips Don’t Lie
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