DANCE THEATER REVIEWS

I'm not a fan of the fact that standing ovations, once reserved for truly superb performances, have become almost routine in NYC. Often, in spite of not being able to see the curtain calls while everyone in front of me is up and blocking my view, I remain stubbornly in my seat if I feel that plain o...

Christopher Wheeldon's playful choreography perfectly matches Sergei Prokofiev's talent for combining characters, story and music. Both artists have a unique quality that makes their work instantly recognizable. So it's only fitting that Wheeldon should take on Prokofiev's 'Cinderella.' And he partn...

Tom Gold was one of my favorite dancers when he was a soloist with New York City Ballet. You never expected anything but the very best when he was on stage, and I always got it. After leaving the company in 2007 he founded his own company, Tom Gold Dance, which I attended on Thursday, March 8....

When describing 4CHAMBERS by Jody Oberfelder Projects, one should not take the phrase 'immersive theater' lightly. From the moment choreographer and mastermind Jody Oberfelder personally introduces her audience of 12 to the piece and then selects them one by one, taking both hands into hers and lock...

Gelsey Kirkland Ballet ambitiously presented, per the program notes, an "eclectic program…beginning and ending with ballets by Marius Petipa."...

In celebration of Stanton Welch's tenth anniversary as Artistic Director at Houston Ballet, the company is presenting a mixed repertory program that showcases his work as a choreographer. Across the three acts, audiences are treated to stunningly beautiful stage pictures, fascinating movement, and b...

Produced by Batsheva Dance Company, Sadeh21 was choreographed by Ohad Naharin, the company's Artistic Director....

For the third year, China Arts and Entertainment Group is treating NYC dancegoers to an all-too-limited engagement of a lavish and exquisitely performed dance theater piece at the Koch Theater in Lincoln Center. Opening night of 'The Red Dress' on Thursday March 6th 2014 will be followed by performa...

New York Theatre Ballet's Cinderella at Florence Gould Hall March 2, 2014, 3:30pm is another delightful flower in their garden of wonderful children's ballets....

Casebolt and Smith is a duet dance theatre company (made up of Liz Casebolt and my former dance professor, Joel Smith) hailing from sunny Los Angeles. They performed O(h) as part of the 92nd Street Y's Harkness Dance Festival, 'Stripped/Dressed,' curated by fellow choreographer, Doug Varone. A singl...

I went to see a program with Ariel Rivka's Book of Esther at the Ailey Citigroup as the dance centerpiece and emerged from the performance with admiration for the world premiere of Take...Taken...Taking, by Alan Obuzor, named by Dance Magazine as one of the 25 choreographers of 2013 to watch, and wa...

As a welcome surprise during the New York City Ballet matinee on Saturday, March 1st 2014 at the Koch Theater, the recently renovated orchestra pit rose so that Interim Music Director Andrews Sills could give us an interesting history lesson with the musicians in full view. Under the direction of Gu...

New York Theatre Ballet's CINDERELLA is a lovely spectacle of dance and magic....

The Cincinnati Ballet blew audiences away with its World Premier of King Arthur's Camelot. The completely original ballet truly shows the world what the Cincinnati performing arts scene is capable of. This was my first experience with the Cincinnati Ballet and I am officially a super fan. I have al...

Based on deCamp's experience growing up in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago in the 1960's, Urban Renewal reveals the commonly kept secrets of an era through memories, perceptions, and politics couched cleverly in deCamp's unflinching personal narrative....

It is a challenging and curious task to describe a person you are inextricably linked to, but have never known. Presented as a work in process February 21-23 at the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Festival, Nora Chipaumire's portrait of myself as my father examined the difficult process of tackling tha...

Jessica Lang Dance performed in New York City this week at the Joyce Theater and it did not disappoint. The choreography never failed to be completely original and the cast performed with pristine technique. The show was under two hours and showcased three New York premiers and returning pieces. All...

Balanchine once said, "See the music, hear the dance". The audience at the Koch Theater on the afternoon of February 22nd 2014 had the opportunity to do exactly that when the works of three very different choreographers brought treasured violin concertos to life. Kudos to Concertmasters Arturo Delmo...

When you are dealing with one of the most beloved children's love stories of all time, there is a delicate balance between the story and the dance....

Last night, Houston Ballet presented the American Premiere performance of David Bintley's spellbinding ALADDIN. The ballet, commissioned by National Ballet of Japan, had its World Premiere on November 15, 2008. For this opulent and mesmerizing theatrical treat, choreographer David Bintley pulls his ...

Bill Wade's INLET DANCE COMPANY uses dance to educate and enlighten. His proficient and creative dancers, and collaborative approach to performance, makes it one of the most exciting of Cleveland's dance companies....

During February 2014, the third snowiest on record in NYC, winter weary dancegoers are welcoming the mood-boosting comedy and charm of the New York City Ballet's version of "Coppelia". Staged by Balanchine with the legendary Alexandra Danilova in 1974, the production has musical passages for added m...

The booming applause resounded with meaning last Saturday night, as it practically called out welcome to the club. The dance companies in this club are those well-known few that travel the world and perform at highly regarded dance venues and festivals throughout the nation. It is certainly a sign o...

On February 12th 2014 at the Joyce Theater, Royal New Zealand Ballet under the artistic direction of iconic ballet star Ethan Stiefel opened a five-day run that marks the conclusion of the troupe's first U.S. tour in 21 years. Dancegoers in four cities -- Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Minneapolis, and...

With Fashion Week 2014 under way in the tents at Lincoln Center from February 6th to 13th, New York City Ballet dusted off Peter Martins' 2012 tribute to iconic designer Valentino for the evening performance at Koch Theater on Saturday, February 8th. A description of 'Bal de Couture' on the company'...