Francesca Forcella News

For me, an exciting evening in the theater and in the world of ballet. The name Ballet'X' connotes a modern term denoting non-gendered, non-binary, and inclusivity. I instantly discerned that this company was on top of the latest consciousness, and has incorporated not only this, but the latest trend of mixing forms of dance together, the latest in staging and technology, and superbly trained young, up-and-coming dancers. The program for the evening consisted of three new works, by three diverse, world-renowned choreographers, all set on the dancers in the company. This young company, based in Philadelphia, is amazingly together with an eclectic repertoire, presenting a clean, fully executed array of interesting choreography and interpretations.

Sitting through BalletX's 10th anniversary season performance at Philadelphia's Wilma Theater on July 6, 2016, I was struck with some deep pangs of disappointment. It wasn't that the new works presented that evening were bad, quite the contrary. But how does one say that something more was expected, especially when reviewing a new Matthew Neenan production?

Roberto Bolle and Friends was a special evening of dance featuring international Ballet Stars. Roberto Bolle, principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre and Ètoile of La Scala in Milan acted as both artistic director and star as he danced alongside the world's top dancers performing pas de deux and solos from both classic and modern ballets. New York City Center was packed and Roberto Bolle performed to resounding applause. Check out the photos below!

At the 2013 Helen Hayes Awards, Imagination Stage received two awards for The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe. Imagination Stage is extremely proud of this collaboration with The Washington Ballet, and though it was the riskiest production the organization has ever produced, it was also the highest grossing show in Imagination Stage's history and broke attendance records.

Imagination Stage in Bethesda, MD has embarked on a new adventure with its current production of C.S. Lewis' beloved tale, The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe. In collaboration with The Washington Ballet, it has succeeded in putting forth a theatrical revelation- a production that's not a ballet, a musical, or a straight play, but something in between. Although Imagination Stage is generally very much geared towards children, theatre and dance-loving adults are likely to be enamored with this piece, including those who come to the theatre without children! Put succinctly, this is an astounding work of art.

Imagination Stage, in a collaboration with The Washington Ballet, presents its world premiere summer production, THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE. In this fusion of theater, dance, and puppetry, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, the roles of the four children are played jointly by an actor and a dancer, and the courageous lion Aslan is portrayed by a life-size puppet operated by three actor/puppeteers, similar to the puppets used in the Broadway production War Horse. Check out the latest photos from the production below!

Imagination Stage, in a collaboration with The Washington Ballet, presents THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE. In this fusion of theater, dance, and puppetry, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, the roles of the four children are played jointly by an actor and a dancer, and the courageous lion Aslan is portrayed by a life-size puppet operated by three actor/puppeteers, similar to the puppets used in the Broadway production War Horse.

Imagination Stage, in a collaboration with The Washington Ballet, begins its world premiere summer production, THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE, tonight. We have a behind the scenes look at the upcoming show.

Imagination Stage, in a groundbreaking collaboration with The Washington Ballet, presents its world premiere summer production, The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe. In this fusion of theater, dance, and puppetry, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, the roles of the four children are played jointly by an actor and a dancer, and the courageous lion Aslan is portrayed by a life-size puppet operated by three actor/puppeteers, similar to the puppets used in the Broadway production War Horse. Get a first look at the production in the photos below!

Imagination Stage, in a collaboration with The Washington Ballet, has announced casting for its world premiere summer production, THE LION, THE WITCH & THE WARDROBE. In this fusion of theater, dance, and puppetry, based on the novel by C.S. Lewis, the roles of the four children are played jointly by an actor and a dancer, and the courageous lion Aslan is portrayed by a life-size puppet operated by three actor/puppeteers, similar to the puppets used in the Broadway production WAR HORSE.