Emily Berger

What did our critic think of BODYTRAFFIC'S THIS REMINDS ME OF YOU at Eisenhower Theater?

Ballet is back at the Kennedy Center for the 2025-2026 season with multiple outstanding companies on the roster this year. This season opened with the Stuttgart Ballet, arguably Germany’s (and one of Europe’s) best ballet company. For the first time in over 30 years Stuttgart returned to the US this weekend’s performances of John Cranko’s Onegin.

DC, and frankly the Kennedy Center, could use some sunny days, and, judging by the giggles, squeals and enthusiastic applause, Sesame Street The Musical succeeded in bringing joy to its intended audience.

Wolf Trap Opera continues to breathe new life into the art form, and this weekend’s performance of Francis Poulenc’s Dialogues of the Carmelites was a special treat.

This is BRB’s Kennedy Center premiere and a testament to both BRB’s Director Carlos Acosta CBE and the Center for supporting risky endeavors like this that seek to stretch the boundaries of what ballet is and should be. 

Beeja - Earth Seed by Malavika Sarukkai is the latest dance offering as part of the Kennedy Center’s Earth to Space festival. Check here for more of the review!

The Mark Morris Dance Group returned to the Kennedy Center this week for two nights of performances of Moon, a new work created for the Center’s Earth to Space festival which runs through April 20. 

What did our critic think of TWYLA THARP DANCE DIAMOND JUBILEE at The Kennedy Center?

What did our critic think of NEW YORK CITY BALLET'S COPPÉLIA at Kennedy Center Opera House?

Saturday evening’s performance of Mulan: A Legend Reimagined at Capital One Hall was a ninety-minute retelling of the classic Chinese folk story of the young woman who impersonates a soldier and ends up successfully defending her country. This dance-based version presented by Greater Washington Chinese Dance featured young dancers from Xuejuan Dance Ensemble and Rong’s Kungfu Academy. 

What did our critic think of THE WASHINGTON BALLET'S TRANSCENDANCE at Kennedy Center?

American Ballet Theatre (ABT) regularly brings new story ballets to DC for their Kennedy Center performances and this year was no different. Crime and Punishment, based on the novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky, premiered in New York in the fall and is the first full-length ballet by a female choreographer in ABT’s repertory. It’s also a highly complex - and long - story to tell through dance, so I was curious to see if it would be a success. 

What did our critic think of ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER PROGRAM C at Kennedy Center?

What did our critic think of ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER PROGRAM B at Kennedy Center?

Baltimore-native Jessica Amber Pinkett returned to the Kennedy Center this week for the annual performances of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Thus it was with great fanfare and symbolism that the National Ballet of China’s return to the Kennedy Center took place Wednesday, with performances of Chinese New Year, a reimagining of The Nutcracker story. 

It’s a unique work for young audiences that treats those audiences like adults, ready to experience the joy and also grapple with the loss and confusion that come with adulthood. 

This year's performance was poignant and joyful, featuring more than 40 dancers from the school.

What did our critic think of GEORGE BALANCHINE’S THE NUTCRACKER® at Kennedy Center?