Charlotte Ballet: Celebrating 50 years / Stuart, Pite, Caniparoli, Aiello [REVIEW]

Reviewed by Steve Sucato Charlotte Ballet’s 50th Anniversary Celebration program, delayed from 2020 because of the global pandemic, was worth the wait. The final production for outgoing artistic director Hope Muir (now artistic director at the National Ballet of Canada), the program cast a wide net in terms of audience tastes, with four topflight works that not only celebrated the company’s past, but also how … Continue reading Charlotte Ballet: Celebrating 50 years / Stuart, Pite, Caniparoli, Aiello [REVIEW]

Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘Extremely Close’, Extremely Good [REVIEW]

Grand Rapids Ballet – Extremely Close Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids, MI April 12-14, 2019 Reviewed by Steve Sucato In the company’s first season under new artistic director James Sofranko, Grand Rapids Ballet appears to be continuing on the path of upward trajectory begun by former artistic director Patricia Barker now the director of The Royal New Zealand Ballet. The company’s program Extremely Close, … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘Extremely Close’, Extremely Good [REVIEW]

‘Polar Express’ Author and ‘Wicked’ Designer join with Choreographer Caniparoli and Director Barker to create new ‘Nutcracker’ for Grand Rapids Ballet

By Steve Sucato When it comes to Christmas holiday season entertainment in the U.S., The Nutcracker ballet ranks high on the list. The magical tale of a young girl who dreams of a heroic handsome prince that whisks her off to a land of sweets is a favorite of children and adults alike.  So when former Pacific Northwest Ballet star Patricia Barker took over as artistic … Continue reading ‘Polar Express’ Author and ‘Wicked’ Designer join with Choreographer Caniparoli and Director Barker to create new ‘Nutcracker’ for Grand Rapids Ballet

Landmark Production One for the Ages

BalletMet Columbus, Opera Columbus and Columbus Symphony Orchestra and Chorus – Twisted: A Trio of Excellence Ohio Theatre Columbus, Ohio September 25-28, 2014 Reviewed by Steve Sucato It’s a wonderful thing when what sounds good in theory is even better in real life. Such was the case in the landmark collaboration Twisted: A Trio of Excellence featuring BalletMet Columbus, Opera Columbus and the Columbus Symphony … Continue reading Landmark Production One for the Ages