Paul Kolnik News

About ten minutes into the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's (AAADT) performance on Tuesday evening at the Kennedy Center I put away my notebook on which I jot down my ideas for reviews. There are only so many times that you can write variations of 'wow, that was incredible' before the phrase becomes redundant. As the Ailey dancers do on every visit to the Center, they delivered an enrapturing evening of dance with new creations and classic items from their repertoire. Yet again, this company proves why it is one of the leading dance companies worldwide.

Today's subject, Jonathan David Martin, came to Washington, DC after accepting a job as Associate Producer of Theater J, but he is currently living his theatre life back onstage in The Heiress at Arena Stage in the role of Morris Townsend This production, which marks his Arena Stage debut, begins performances on February 8th. It plays through March 10th in Arena's Fitchandler Stage space.

In the history of classical ballet, it's hard to find a pair more perfect than Balanchine and Tchaikovsky. Balanchine's choreographic style, defined by quirky syncopations and dramatic port de bras, punctuates the longing percussions of Tchaikovsky's scores. The exchange of movement and music is a call and response; a mutual muse that appears when beckoned. This is the best way to describe New York City Ballet's artistry on the evening of January 29, 2018. As the dancers took the stage for three Balanchine classics, you could feel both the tradition of precedent and excitement of modernity in the air.

There are just 13 chances left to see Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's holiday engagement at New York City Center before the season finale on December 30 at 7:30pm. Highlights include tonight's new production of Robert Battle's Juba;  continuation of Timeless Ailey, Three Visionaries, All Battle, and All New programs; a one-time-only Wednesday matinee performance on December 26; and a Special Season Finale featuring excerpts of this season's thrilling premieres, culminating with Alvin Ailey's timeless and inspiring masterpiece Revelations.

Cultural World Ambassadors, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, makes its return to the New York City Center for a milestone celebration of the company's Ailey Ascending 60th Anniversary. As part of their annual five-week holiday engagement, the company honors the artistry and legacy of Mr. Ailey through special performances featuring an exhilarating mix of new premieres, audience favorites, and rarely seen works by Alvin Ailey himself! This celebration coincides with the City Center's landmark 75th anniversary.

On Tuesday, December 4th, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continued its historic 60th Anniversary season with the world premiere of Ronald K. Brown's The Call, the renowned choreographer's seventh work for the Company which he describes as “a love letter to Ailey.” The New York Times says, “The Call… is something of a conversation between the choreographers, a beauty of a dance that ripples along while highlighting Ailey's formality, his ebullience and how he came to find his choreographic voice.” There are four more chances to see The Call this season: Dec. 8 mat, 9 eve, 20, and 29 mat.

Yes, in the world of Tom Stoppard, post-coital pillow talk can be a debate about human consciousness and whether or not altruism truly exists.  After all, nobody said anything about THE HARD PROBLEM was going to be easy.

October 31, Halloween. I was walking to City Center for the opening of 'Balanchine: The City Center Years.' But then I began thinking of Stephen Sondheim's 'Follies.' You must all know the musical. Everyone returns for a reunion, only to be met with ghosts and remembrances of their past lives. After all, City Center is where New York City Ballet began in 1948. I wondered who I would encounter? I saw Allegra Kent. I think I saw two other members of the company who danced on New York City Ballet's opening night 70 years ago? But perhaps I'd encounter some of the other principal dancers of that time: Maria Tallchief on the stairs? Or Tanaquil Le Clercq at the bar? Or Frank Hobi? Francisco Moncion? Nicholas Magallenes? Yvonne Mounsey? Diana Adams?

Lincoln Center Theater presents The Hard Problem, a new play by Tom Stoppard, to be directed by Jack O'Brien.

My theatre life subject for today is one I've wanted to interview for a long while now. Tiler Peck is one of those performers that automatically brings any stage to life from her first entrance and keeps you captivated until her final bow.

An admission. I didn't go to the New York City Ballet fashion gala. Why? Because I didn't care. The New York City Ballet is probably the only company in the world that never had to pander to an audience seeking couture thrills, at least when Balanchine was alive. I know that's changed and the company has to bring in the bucks, but when the draw seems to be clothes and not choreography, it gets me thinking. What's in store for us?

Broadway San Jose, a Nederlander Presentation, welcomes the return of Broadway's record-breaking, Tony Award-winning musical smash CHICAGO to San Jose's Center for the Performing Arts(255 S. Almaden Blvd.) for a limited engagement from Thursday, November 15 through Sunday, November 18, 2018. With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, CHICAGO is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history-and it still shows no sign of ever slowing down!

New York City Ballet announced today the programming for Principal Dancer Joaquin De Luz's farewell performance, which will take place on October 14 at 3pm, closing the Company's 2018 Fall Season. After a 15-year career with New York City Ballet, for his final performance De Luz will dance 'Theme and Variations' from George Balanchine's Tchaikovsky Suite No. 3, Jerome Robbins' A Suite of Dances, and Peter Martins' Todo Buenos Aires. Also on the program will be Balanchine's Concerto Barocco, a personal favorite of De Luz's, which he will not perform that afternoon.

Na-Young Jeon is a Dutch-Korean actress and singer. She's played Fantine in Les Miserables in the West End and has been a part of the Miss Saigon UK Tour, and is currently playing Tuptim in The King and I at London Palladium.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's latest seven-performance stint at New York City's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts reinforced that the beloved company brings an unrivaled level of artistry and athleticism to everything they do – from classical ballet to jazz and contemporary.