Verb, Ohio Contemporary Ballet’s ‘Schubert Melodies,’ a Splendid Mix of Music and Dance [REVIEW]

Verb, Ohio Contemporary BalletSchubert MelodiesBreen Center for the Performing ArtsCleveland, OHOctober 15, 2022 By Steve Sucato Newly renamed Verb, Ohio Contemporary Ballet returned to Saint Ignatius High School’s Breen Center for the Performing Arts on Saturday, October 15 with Schubert Melodies, a double bill of ballets celebrating Austrian composer Franz Schubert’s music. The program began with a reprise of Heinz Poll’s 1975 ballet “Schubert Waltzes.” Danced to … Continue reading Verb, Ohio Contemporary Ballet’s ‘Schubert Melodies,’ a Splendid Mix of Music and Dance [REVIEW]

Broadway On Demand’s Release of ‘Metamorphosis’ Captures the Unrelenting Power of Maria Caruso’s Performance for All to Experience [REVIEW]

By Steve Sucato The adage “good things come to those who wait,” certainly applies to Pittsburgh-based dancer, choreographer, and entrepreneur Maria Caruso and her career-defining, one-woman dance theater production Metamorphosis. Four decades in the making, Caruso brought her lifetime of experiences to the hourlong work that became the big break every artist dreams of. A global tour and a bevy of accolades ensued culminating this … Continue reading Broadway On Demand’s Release of ‘Metamorphosis’ Captures the Unrelenting Power of Maria Caruso’s Performance for All to Experience [REVIEW]

Adam W. McKinney Named Artistic Director of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

By Steve Sucato for Pointe Magazine Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre announced today that it has named Adam W. McKinney as its new artistic director, effective March 2023. McKinney becomes the company’s seventh artistic director and first director of color in PBT’s 54-year history. He will succeed Susan Jaffe, who recently took the helm at American Ballet Theatre. The 46-year-old McKinney is a former dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance … Continue reading Adam W. McKinney Named Artistic Director of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PATRICIA BARKER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 43 YEARS IN BALLET

By Siobhan Waterhouse The Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) has today announced the retirement of Artistic Director Patricia Barker. In her five and a half years at the helm of the national ballet company, Barker commissioned 12 new main stage ballets from New Zealand-based or born choreographers including six ballets with original scores by New Zealand composers. New commissions from local and international choreographers are … Continue reading ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET ARTISTIC DIRECTOR PATRICIA BARKER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT AFTER 43 YEARS IN BALLET

After Its Delectable Opening Production, Balletmet’s 45th Anniversary Season Continues With Even More Delights

By Steve Sucato Columbus, Ohio’s BalletMet began its 45th Anniversary season with BalletMet at the Ohio, a tribute to 10-year Artistic Director Edwaard Liang featuring two of his most engaging ballets, Murmuration and Tributary. The production, September 16-18 at Downtown Columbus’ Ohio Theatre, showed Liang’s expert crafting of ballets both contemporary and classical. Murmuration, a contemporary ballet originally created in 2012 for Houston Ballet, takes … Continue reading After Its Delectable Opening Production, Balletmet’s 45th Anniversary Season Continues With Even More Delights

Bliss, Courage & Kong: Gibney Company’s Mixed Rep Program Delivers Mixed Results [REVIEW]

Gibney CompanyThe University of Akron’s E. J. Thomas Performing Arts HallAkron, OhioOctober 8, 2022 By Steve Sucato Call it a homecoming of sorts for Gina Gibney. The Founder, Artistic Director, and CEO of New York City’s Gibney Company returned to Northeast, Ohio with her company for the first time in 20 years this past Saturday at Akron’s E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall for an eclectic … Continue reading Bliss, Courage & Kong: Gibney Company’s Mixed Rep Program Delivers Mixed Results [REVIEW]

New Name, New Ballet, and a Celebration of Franz Schubert’s Music [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato For the third time in its 35-year history Verb Ballets, formerly The Repertory Project, is getting a new name. The slow rollout to becoming Ohio Contemporary Ballet in the next 2-3 years begins this season with the transitional moniker of Verb, “Ohio Contemporary Ballet”. The new name reflects the vision, direction, and branding of the company by Producing Artistic Director Dr. Margaret … Continue reading New Name, New Ballet, and a Celebration of Franz Schubert’s Music [PREVIEW]

Lake Erie to don ‘Swan Lake’ moniker in honor of Cleveland Ballet’s upcoming production

By Julia Tze   CLEVELAND, OH – Mayor of Cleveland Justin M. Bibb has announced that Lake Erie will don the name ‘Swan Lake’ in recognition of the premiere of Cleveland Ballet’s production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, a production sponsored in part by Roe Green and the Roe Green Foundation. “I am honored to offer this Proclamation in recognition of Cleveland Ballet, our City’s resident professional ballet company, … Continue reading Lake Erie to don ‘Swan Lake’ moniker in honor of Cleveland Ballet’s upcoming production

Cleveland Ballet’s ‘Swan Lake’ Looks To Be Its Best Yet [PREVIEW]

By Steve Sucato When Gladisa Guadalupe’s reconstituted Cleveland Ballet emerged on Northeast, Ohio’s dance scene in 2014, it was a fledgling professional ballet company with modest expectations. Now entering its 8th season, with an ever-improving roster of dancers, a growing budget nearing 3 million dollars, and much of the other trappings of a proper ballet organization, expectations are much higher as the troupe has taken … Continue reading Cleveland Ballet’s ‘Swan Lake’ Looks To Be Its Best Yet [PREVIEW]

Milwaukee Ballet Announces  2022/23 Season Roster 

By Addie Prochnow – Company welcomes two new dancers and celebrates Pink’s 20th season –  Milwaukee, WI – September 27, 2022 – Michael Pink announced Milwaukee Ballet’s roster of dancers for the 2022/23 Season, his 20th leading the Company as Artistic Director. The Company of 24 dancers officially returned to Baumgartner Center for Dance this week to begin preparing for the Season of Timeless Tales.  Theatrical productions will include favorites from Pink’s choreographic repertoire in honor of his 20th anniversary: Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Hunchback of Notre Dame, and Peter Pan, all to be performed at Marcus Performing … Continue reading Milwaukee Ballet Announces  2022/23 Season Roster