Verb Ballets gives all in Jam-packed ‘Going Solo’

Verb BalletsGoing SoloDigital Stage ProductionFebruary 26, 2021 Reviewed by Steve Sucato Popular catch phrase, “make it work,” used by fashion guru Tim Gunn of Television’s Project Runway was often uttered to motivate the show’s designer contestants to overcome obstacles in the creation of their works. Verb Ballet’s has seemingly also adopted that mantra in overcoming the obstacles presented to the company by the current global … Continue reading Verb Ballets gives all in Jam-packed ‘Going Solo’

Prejudices, Curiosities and Sexual Power Explored in Cincinnati Ballet’s Latest ‘Kaplan New Works Series’ Production [REVIEW]

Cincinnati BalletThe Kaplan New Works SeriesDigital Stage ProductionFebruary 25-28 & March 5-7, 2021 Reviewed by Steve Sucato Like the classic late 1970’s Heinz Ketchup commercials featuring Carly Simon’s song “Anticipation,” dance fans, because of the global pandemic, have been anxiously anticipating new programming from their favorite dance artists. For fans of Victoria Morgan’s Cincinnati Ballet, that new programming came in the form of this past … Continue reading Prejudices, Curiosities and Sexual Power Explored in Cincinnati Ballet’s Latest ‘Kaplan New Works Series’ Production [REVIEW]

Daring ‘To The Pointe’ Opens Milwaukee Ballet’s 2020-21 Season in Style [REVIEW]

Milwaukee BalletTo The PointeOn Demand Digital Stage ProductionFebruary 25 – March 7, 2021 Reviewed by Steve Sucato Coming on the heels of a year disrupted by pandemic, Milwaukee Ballet artistic director Michael Pink made the bold decision to open the company’s 2020-21 season with a program of challenging classical ballet works. Not fearing dancer technique rust from the sporadic training schedules that have been the … Continue reading Daring ‘To The Pointe’ Opens Milwaukee Ballet’s 2020-21 Season in Style [REVIEW]

Verb Ballets: ‘Carnival Macabre’, ‘Building Bridges Together’ [REVIEWS]

Reviewed by Steve Sucato Carnival MacabreVerb Ballets with Neil ZazaVirtual PerformanceOctober 30, 2020 Created as a stand-in for Verb Ballets and guitarist Neil Zaza’s popular One Dark Night…, A Rock Symphony of the Macabre (2019), Carnival Macabre (2020) was a made for the internet short film seeking to capture the spirit of One Dark Night’s Halloween rock symphony live show. The October 30 pay-to-view virtual … Continue reading Verb Ballets: ‘Carnival Macabre’, ‘Building Bridges Together’ [REVIEWS]

Pivoting and Pitfalls: BalletMet’s Edwaard Liang Talks Programming a New Season in a Time of Pandemic

By Steve Sucato With uncertainty being the underlying theme of 2020, Columbus, Ohio’s BalletMet has taken a wait and see approach to announcing its new 2020-21 dance season. While many ballet companies in the U.S. have given into the inevitability of having to conduct their seasons in the virtual world and have announced their new season, BalletMet artistic director Edwaard Liang and staff have chosen … Continue reading Pivoting and Pitfalls: BalletMet’s Edwaard Liang Talks Programming a New Season in a Time of Pandemic

‘Echo Mine v2’ Brings Message of Loss and Remembrance to Global Audience [REVIEW]

Califone and Robyn Mineko Williams & ArtistsEcho Mine v2Audiotree STAGED Series WebcastOctober 27, 2020 Reviewed by Steve Sucato For those who missed Echo Mine, Robyn Mineko Williams and Artists and Chicago experimental rock band Califone’s acclaimed 2019 collaboration, October 27th’s online restaging, Echo Mine v2 offered up an even more in-depth viewing experience than perhaps the live show.  The evening-length work was inspired by and … Continue reading ‘Echo Mine v2’ Brings Message of Loss and Remembrance to Global Audience [REVIEW]

‘Fall For DANCECleveland’ Virtual Dance Film Series Hits Entertainment Bullseye [REVIEW]

Reviewed by Steve Sucato For DANCECleveland’s second virtual dance film series, Fall For DANCECleveland (October 10 -November 18), the 64-year-old dance-only presenting organization culled together five previously recorded dance films of works by three dance companies familiar to their audiences and one new to them. And as with their other pay-to-view virtual dance film series this summer, Fall For DANCECleveland came with bonus features including … Continue reading ‘Fall For DANCECleveland’ Virtual Dance Film Series Hits Entertainment Bullseye [REVIEW]

‘Inside’ the Class of GroundWorks’ Outdoor Dance Film Screenings [REVIEW]

GroundWorks DanceTheaterDrive In Dance Film ScreeningsDunham Tavern Museum Parking LotCleveland, OhioOctober 31, 2020 Reviewed by Steve Sucato Part of GroundWorks DanceTheater’s nextSPACE Fall 2020 programming, the company presented a screening of two dance films October 31 at Dunham Tavern Museum’s parking lot in Cleveland. Facing a giant inflatable screen provided by Free Akron Outdoor Movies, a select number of audience vehicles were lined up drive-in … Continue reading ‘Inside’ the Class of GroundWorks’ Outdoor Dance Film Screenings [REVIEW]

Grand Rapids Ballet’s Adventurous Dance Season to Reflect New Norm in the Dance World

By Steve Sucato As the world gets used to the global pandemic imposed new normal, Grand Rapids Ballet is forging ahead with its new 2020-21 dance season entitled Moving Beyond and the new realities on how to deliver that season to an audience. Third-year artistic director James Sofranko says because of the pandemic Grand Rapids Ballet has had to turn away from live in-person performance … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet’s Adventurous Dance Season to Reflect New Norm in the Dance World

Despite Inclement Weather and Staging Compromises, Cleveland Ballet’s ‘The Magic Flute’ Delivers Modicum of Artistic Magic [REVIEW]

Cleveland Ballet – The Magic FluteStan Hywet Hall & GardensAkron, OhioSaturday, October 17, 2020 Reviewed by Steve Sucato Adopting the adage “the show must go on,” Cleveland Ballet’s dancers braved forty-degree weather to perform their new production of The Magic Flute outdoors at Akron’s Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens on October 17. Using stage side heaters and a warming tent for the dancers that helped … Continue reading Despite Inclement Weather and Staging Compromises, Cleveland Ballet’s ‘The Magic Flute’ Delivers Modicum of Artistic Magic [REVIEW]