Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Julia Erickson on Her Farewell Announcement and Why the “Stage Is Like One Big Playground”

By Steve Sucato Elton John, Neil Diamond and the band Rush—2018 just got underway and it already feels like the year of the beloved star retiring. Joining that list today is one of Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s longest tenured principal dancers, Julia Erickson. The 38-year-old Seattle native trained at the Pacific Northwest Ballet School and spent two years with Texas Ballet Theater before joining PBT in … Continue reading Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Julia Erickson on Her Farewell Announcement and Why the “Stage Is Like One Big Playground”

Pittsburgh Ballet launches its 45th season with ‘The Sleeping Beauty’

By Steve Sucato In a great story ballet, the principal roles provide the emotional adrenaline and the corps de ballet the pulse. The corps creates the world for the main characters to play off of, and is integral to advancing the narrative and creating much of the beauty audiences associate with such ballets. What would Swan Lake be without its swans, or Giselle without its ghostly wilis? … Continue reading Pittsburgh Ballet launches its 45th season with ‘The Sleeping Beauty’

Grand Rapids Ballet’s Contemporary ‘Midsummer’ Ballet a Glowing Success

Grand Rapids Ballet Company A Midsummer Night’s Dream Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids, MI May 9-18, 2014 Reviewed by Steve Sucato In keeping with Grand Rapids Ballet Company’s penchant for contemporary reinterpretations of story ballet classics that has included updated productions of Romeo & Juliet and Swan Lake, the world premiere of choreographer Olivier Wevers’ A Midsummer Night’s Dream May 9 at Grand Rapids’ Peter Martin … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet’s Contemporary ‘Midsummer’ Ballet a Glowing Success

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’

With its ‘The Green Swan’, the Pillow Project digs deeper into improv

By Steve Sucato For nearly a decade, Pearlann Porter’ s Pillow Project has been on the leading edge of dance in Pittsburgh. Founded by Porter in 2004, the company created an instant buzz, bolstered by large-scale rock ‘ n’ roll dance extravaganzas like 2005′ s Concept Album Tour, at Shadyside‘ s Hunt Armory. Then, the company transformed itself by producing intimate cutting-edge multimedia works such as … Continue reading With its ‘The Green Swan’, the Pillow Project digs deeper into improv

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

The City Ballet of Cleveland to present Spring Repertory Concert

  (Cleveland, OH) – The City Ballet of Cleveland, formerly Cleveland City Dance Company will be presenting its annual spring repertory concert at the Tri-C Eastern Campus on Saturday May 11th at 7:00 p.m. The diverse and entertaining program includes “Swan Lake, Act III” the classical ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s music. The members of the pre-professional company will also dance a lively “Maypole” and the … Continue reading The City Ballet of Cleveland to present Spring Repertory Concert