Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s ‘Don Quixote’ returns with fresh faces in the lead roles

By Steve Sucato Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre closes its 44th season with an updated production of the comedic classic Don Quixote, to be performed with the orchestra April 11-13 at the Benedum Center. Last staged in 2007, PBT’s production of Miguel de Cervantes’ familiar story of young Spanish lovers Kitri and Basilio, and their encounter with the eccentric Don Quixote on his quest to find Dulcinea, gets a … Continue reading Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s ‘Don Quixote’ returns with fresh faces in the lead roles

Pittsburgh Ballet soloists sound off on ‘Swan Lake’

By Steve Sucato Like professional sports teams, ballet companies go through ups and downs when it comes to talent. While the Steelers have struggled lately with a lack of it, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre has been loaded with it. Most impressive have been PBT’s major story ballets. In 2012, the company wowed audiences with Giselle, and followed up with an engaging Cinderella this past April. Now it offers another … Continue reading Pittsburgh Ballet soloists sound off on ‘Swan Lake’

North Carolina Dance Theatre delights at Chautauqua

By Steve Sucato News Contributing Reviewer For the first of its two performances with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Dance Theatre, in residence at the Chautauqua Institution, presented a stylistically and musically diverse program featuring three works including the world premiere of choreographer Sasha Janes’ “Loss.” The program, Tuesday night in the Institution’s Amphitheater, began with a reprise of choreographer Mark Diamond’s “Appalachian Suite” that premiered … Continue reading North Carolina Dance Theatre delights at Chautauqua

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s pre-professional showcase glimpses ballet’s next wave of dancer talent

By Steve Sucato While Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre is one of the nation’s top ballet companies, its school also has a reputation for turning out top talent. The school draws dancers from around the world to hone their skills in preparation for a professional career. A highlight of that training is the annual Pre-Professional Showcase, May 17-19 at Point Park University’s George Rowland White Performance Studio. … Continue reading Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre School’s pre-professional showcase glimpses ballet’s next wave of dancer talent

AIRINGS: Mini Reviews of Conservatory Dance Company’s ‘The Jazz Nutcracker’, ‘A Son is Given: An Urban Ballet’ and Columbus Dance Theatre’s ‘Cleopatra’

By Steve Sucato Conservatory Dance Company – The Jazz Nutcracker Pittsburgh Playhouse Pittsburgh, PA December 9, 2012 Perhaps no ballet in history has seen more different incarnations than The Nutcracker. From traditional productions after Marius Petipa’s 1892 original to those far from traditional like Maurice Bejart’s pseudo-sexual 2000 production and Mark Morris’ The Hard Nut and everywhere in between, each holiday season brings with it … Continue reading AIRINGS: Mini Reviews of Conservatory Dance Company’s ‘The Jazz Nutcracker’, ‘A Son is Given: An Urban Ballet’ and Columbus Dance Theatre’s ‘Cleopatra’