Gerald Arpino: His time to be celebrated

By Steve Sucato The Joffrey Ballet, co-founded in 1956 by Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino, is proudly described on the company website as “America’s Company of Firsts.” It was the first dance company to appear on American television, the first to grace the cover of Time magazine, the first to perform at the White House, and the first classical dance company to use multimedia and a rock music … Continue reading Gerald Arpino: His time to be celebrated

‘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]

Robyn Mineko Williams’ ‘Undercover Episodes’ returns to Chicago, June 15-18

By Robyn Mineko Williams Choreographer Robyn Mineko Williams and her creative team, composer/musicians Robert F. Haynes and Tony Lazzara of Chicago band Verger and art director/designer JT Williams, are excited to announce the return of Undercover Episodes to Chicago this summer, June 15-18th, 2018. Undercover Episodes, the innovative dance-based performance series spearheaded by in demand, award-winning choreographer, Robyn Mineko Williams, is back this summer with a four show … Continue reading Robyn Mineko Williams’ ‘Undercover Episodes’ returns to Chicago, June 15-18

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

Drugs, Butoh and ‘Events Leading Up to My Death’

By Steve Sucato Cleveland’s longest running annual dance series DanceWorks, presented by Cleveland Public Theatre, opens the second half of its 4-week run with a double bill featuring Tremont-based Antaeus Dance and Erie, Pennsylvania’s Shen & Bones Performance Group, April 24-26 at CPT’s  Gordon Square Theatre. Antaeus Dance will open the double bill with two premieres.  Dancer/choreographer Heather Koniz’s 10-minute trio “Let My Hero In” … Continue reading Drugs, Butoh and ‘Events Leading Up to My Death’

Texture Contemporary Ballet stays in Perpetual Motion

By Steve Sucato The title of Texture Contemporary Ballet’s latest program, Perpetual Motion, also aptly describes the company itself. Led by directors Alan Obuzor and Kelsey Bartman, Texture has seemingly been moving nonstop since its founding two summers ago. The troupe, named one of Dance Magazine‘s “25 to Watch” in 2013, has taught workshops and performed frequently throughout the area, most recently at last month’s PrideFest. … Continue reading Texture Contemporary Ballet stays in Perpetual Motion

Lucky Plush Productions Makes Cleveland Debut May 2-4

CLEVELAND –  Chicago-based Lucky Plush Productions will make its Cleveland debut May 2-4 at the Allen Theatre in PlayhouseSquare with an evening length production of The Better Half, a lively, witty spin on the film noir classic “Gaslight”. Tickets for the Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances at 8 p.m. are available at the PlayhouseSquare ticket office, 216-241-6000 or online at http://www.playhousesquare.org. This highly entertaining, … Continue reading Lucky Plush Productions Makes Cleveland Debut May 2-4