Paul Kolnik News

Today's subject Taylor Stanley is living his theatre life as a company member of  New York City Ballet (NYCB), one of the most famous and prestigious ballet companies in the country. With repertoire works that feature choreography by such greats as George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, it's easy to understand why the company has that status. NYCB begins a one week engagement at the Kennedy Center's Opera House on June 6. The two programs will feature the works of George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Justin Peck, and the DC premiere of a work by Alexei Ratmansky.

Reviewing George Balanchine 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' on Wednesday, May 24 was like visiting an old friend. My father took me to see it as a child soon after it opened in 1962, and while the memory fades as we grow older, Gloria Govrin in the role of Hippolyta bounding around the stage remains steadfast, never diminishing. Thank you, New York City Ballet, for the recollection and for a wonderful theatrical evening.

New York City Ballet continues to include new choreographies in its repertoire, billed this season as the Here and Now Festival. On May 12, 2017 NYCB performed four newer works created in 1994, 1998, 2006, and a world premiere.

The Blue of Distance by Robert Binet, Choreographic Associate with The National Ballet of Canada, returns to the David H. Koch Theater at New York's Lincoln Center for two performances on May 10 and 13, 2017.

As part of their spring NYC season, New York City Ballet (NYCB) presents the Here/Now Festival featuring ten specially curated programs. This is an opportunity for audiences to see the breadth, quality, and range of works that have been developed over the past three decades. On the evening of May 3, 2017, I had the opportunity to see program number 3- dedicated to the repertory of Resident Choreographer, Justin Peck.

New York City Ballet's 'All Wheeldon' program, part of the Here/Now series on April 30, was, in most cases, a great success. Wheeldon is now a celebrity choreographer. He is followed everywhere, has received abundant awards for his ballets and Broadway productions. Together with Justin Peck and Alexander Ratmansky, all City Ballet past or present artists-in-residence, he has come to many to represent ballet's future, although what that future is remains a question mark.

The New York City Ballet kicked off day two of the company's 2017 Spring Season on Wednesday, April 19 at the opulent David H. Koch Theater. A performance dedicated to the iconic playfulness of Jerome Robbin's choreography, the evening started on a high note with the orchestra's charming “See the Music” section, treating the audience to teaser selections of the coming score. The bluesy, sultry notes of Bernstein's music set the scene beautifully; as the orchestra descended back into the pit, the curtain rose on “Fancy Free,” the legendary collaboration between Robbins and Bernstein, which later inspired Broadway's sensation “On The Town.”

On the evening of Saturday, February 25th 2017 at the Koch Theater, a triple bill showed off the versatility and genius of Jerome Robbins, who with George Balanchine was a Founding Choreographer of NYCB.

When Aurora makes her first appearance in SLEEPING BEAUTY, the audience usually sits up-there's a murmur, an anticipation. THE STAR is here, and she's in charge for the next two hours. And THE STAR had better be ready. The audience is watching her every move, not to mention her every mishap.

Today's subject is living his theatre life as a company member of one of the most prestigious dance companies in the country. Daniel Harder is currently on tour with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The company will be performing at The Kennedy Center starting tomorrow evening (Feb 7th) through 12th in the Opera House.

A review of three works presented at the New York City Ballet's 'New Works' program.

Dampened from the chilly rain falling outside, I stepped into the majestic David H. Koch Theater on January 24, 2017 in desperate need of comfort. But I got so much more than that at New York City Ballet's Stravinsky x Five program. As I took my seat, the heavenly timbres of Stravinsky's bluesy score from "Scenes de Ballet" flooded my ears and spirit. In that moment, all was right in the world, and it stayed that way for the entire evening.

George Balanchine said that 'Allegro Brillante' contained everything he knew about classical ballet in 13 minutes. I would say a bit more, depending on the tempo the conductor is taking for the evening. But putting tempos aside, 'Allegro Brilliante' offers a ballet so rich in form and steps that it's hard to take it all in. I've been watching the ballet for over 30 years, and I still marvel and its invention and the sheer stamina it takes to perform the work.

Happy New Year, BroadwayWorld! As we eagerly anticipate the amazing musicals and plays coming up in 2017, we're taking a moment to look back at the significant Broadway closings of 2016.

On Wednesday evening, December 21, 2016, I was fortunate to be present as the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater performed three pieces created in the 21st century by three choreographers, two European, Johan Inger and Mauro Bigonzetti, and one home grown, a veteran dancer of the Ailey company, Hope Boykin. Each piece is a world unto itself, different from the other two.

December 13, 2016 continued the favorite return of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for their joyous annual five-week holiday engagement at the New York City Center. Under the artistic direction of Robert Battle, the company continues to reach audiences of all ages, while using dance as a platform to unify and educate. This evening's program did just that!

Tony-winning director and choreographer Susan Stroman (THE PRODUCERS) is joining forces with writer John Lahr to develop a new musical featuring the music of Broadway and Hollywood lyricist Alan Jay Lerner

The state of any company's dancing can be gauged by looking at how it performs its founder's work. Of course that is no easy feat to assess with City Ballet, what with its glorious repertoire. All the same, Wednesday October 12th's program found the company disconcertingly off the mark. In politics, we follow the money; in ballet, we follow the casting.

Jewels, choreographed by George Balanchine, performed on Friday September 30, 2016 at The Koch Theater was a wonderful beginning to the weekend. This ballet is a truly priceless gem in the repertoire of the New York City Ballet. The three-act storyless ballet is quite distinctive with its style and music.

On Friday, September 23, 2016, the David H. Koch Theater was abuzz with excitement, as the company of the New York City Ballet prepared to take the stage. Each time I get to experience this group of artists perform, it's a completely unique adventure. But what remains constant is their collective ability to remain rooted in Balanchine's essence - in movement, character, and cadence. And this night proved no different.