John Cranko News

Background: In 2012 Viktor performed live at National Press Club in DC and spoofed on Baltimore's The List with Vicki Mayo (not aired due to Newtown tragedy). Viktor Shcherbakov is an “Honored Artist of Ukraine” and Principal Dancer for Moscow Ballet. At 10 yrs he was invited to study at John Cranko Ballet Academy in Germany and joined the company itself on graduation. He receives acclaim in roles of romantic and heroic leads in all the classic ballets from Swan Lake to Spartacus.

Rare photographs of Benjamin Britten including family and personal snapshots from his boyhood and professional life, are included from today in a new display at the National Portrait Gallery, ahead of the composer's centenary this weekend.

STARZ announced today the involvement of internationally-renowned dancers in the original drama series 'Flesh and Bone' (previously announced as an 'Untitled Ballet Project') currently in development at the network, from award-winning 'Breaking Bad' Writer and Co-Executive Producer, Moira Walley-Beckett. 'Flesh and Bone' follows a young ballet dancer, Claire Robbins, who has a distinctly troubled past, as she joins a prestigious ballet company in New York. The dark and gritty series will unflinchingly explore the dysfunction and glamour of the ballet world.

STARZ announced today the involvement of internationally-renowned dancers in the original drama series 'Flesh and Bone' (previously announced as an 'Untitled Ballet Project') currently in development at the network.

The fourth South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC), supported by the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund, takes place at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town, from 17 to 23 February 2014. Formerly known as the Cape Town International Ballet Competition (CTIBC) it is the only event of its kind on the African continent and attracts top dancers from SA and the World. A new competitor category has also being announced for the 2014 awards.

Spellbinding premieres by Jiri Kylian and Crystal Pite join Kylian's sensual Petite Mort and raucous Sechs Tänze (Six Dances) in KYLIAN + PITE, Pacific Northwest Ballet's fascinating foursome of contemporary works.

Walnut Creek, CA, November 5, 2013 – Company C Contemporary Ballet opens its 12th season with a program featuring two premieres by Susan Jaffe and Charles Anderson, as well as works by Yuri Zhukov and Charles Moulton in six performances January 30 through February 16, 2014, in Walnut Creek and San Francisco. In addition, a gala performance, cocktail party, dinner and auction to benefit Company C will be given Saturday, February 15. For more information about the performance, gala and season, visit www.companycballet.org

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton will continue Season 36 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park, December 12-15, 2013. Click below for a sneak peek at ONE THOUSAND PIECES!

Alternating principal dancers highlight Russian ballet prowess and beauty on Moscow Ballet North American Eastern Tour of the Great Russian Nutcracker and two performances of Swan Lake. Returning principals Ekaterina Bortiakova and Akshol Mussakhanov perform lead roles with precision, high energy and charm. Ekaterina Bortiakova was described as “Epitome of a classical ballerina…to say that I was impressed would be an extreme understatement. Her performance was flawless,” by Alt Daily, Virginia Beach VA. Honored Artist of Ukraine, Viktor Shcherbakov returns from his 2013 Moscow Ballet premiere with partner Ekaterina Tikhonova in her first appearance as principal Masha. In addition the company of 40 dancers perform Olympic-worthy leaps in the holiday performance for families with magical toys, falling snow and a growing Christmas tree. In Manhatten Thanksgiving weekend on Sat, Nov 30, 4:00 and 8:00pm at Hammerstein Ballroom. For tickets go to www.nutcracker.com . Check out a first look below!

Spellbinding premieres by Jiri Kylian and Crystal Pite join Kylian's sensual Petite Mort and raucous Sechs Tänze (Six Dances) in KYLIAN + PITE, Pacific Northwest Ballet's fascinating foursome of contemporary works.

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, the innovative contemporary Dance Company from the American West led by Artistic Director Tom Mossbrucker and Executive Director Jean-Philippe Malaty, returns to the Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Street, for one performance only tonight, October 5 at 7:30 pm.

Boston Ballet announced today that Barry C. Hughson will resign his post as Executive Director in January 2014. Hughson will join the Toronto-based National Ballet of Canada replacing Kevin Garland as Executive Director.

Smuin Ballet will kick off its 20th Anniversary Season tonight, October 4-12 at San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts with its XXtremes Fall Program.

Curtains up! AIR TWYLA propels Pacific Northwest Ballet into its new season with a trio of works by its first artist-in-residence, renowned choreographer Twyla Tharp. The program includes the world premiere of Waiting at the Station with a commissioned score by New Orleans music legend Allen Toussaint. Sharing the program with Waiting at the Station are the Scottish-inspired Brief Fling (a PNB premiere) and Tharp's homage to Ol' Blue Eyes and ballroom dance, the unforgettable Nine Sinatra Songs. AIR TWYLA runs for only seven performances, tonight, September 27 - October 6 at Seattle Center's Marion Oliver McCaw Hall.

On the heels of a critically acclaimed tour to London, Boston Ballet returns home to kick off the 50th season with Night of Stars on Boston Common, a massive free performance for the greater Boston community. Admirals Bank is the Presenting Sponsor for this sensational one-night-only event taking place tonight, September 21 at 7:00pm.

That Roberto Bolle is the body beautiful, not to mention gorgeous, extraordinaire, beyond belief, is not to be questioned. If he took just one step to the right, you might call it exploitation or something closely resembling that. Mr. Bolle, wisely, did not take that slippery path. He remained an amiable, charming and silent host to the evening that bore his name, Roberto Bolle and Friends Gala. So, if he did take every opportunity to present his buff technique, there was nothing to do but sit back and enjoy it, or carp frequently at what was going on.

From tonight, September 19-29, 2013, Houston Ballet presents Ronald Hynd's comic and enchanting The Merry Widow.Adapted from Franz Lehar's beloved operetta, the internationally-admired British choreographer Ronald Hynd adds a new layer of lavish spectacle and choreography to the original story of The Merry Widow to create an irresistibly charming and intoxicating tale of high jinks, finance, romance, and intrigue. The production features magnificent scenery and costumes by Italian designer Roberta Guidi di Bagno. The company will give seven performances at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston.

SASHA DE SOLA, soloist of the San Francisco Ballet, and TIIT HELIMETS, principal dancer of the San Francisco Ballet, will appear as guest artists in the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet's production of The Nutcracker on December 7 and 8, 2013 at the Riverview Theatre in Shreveport, Louisiana.