The much lauded, deservedly awarded MATTHEW BOURNE'S SWAN LAKE returns to thunderous ovations at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles a third time (second time in 2006) since its auspicious L.A. debut in 1997. What was considered ground-breaking and quite shocking to ballet traditionalists when Matthew Bourne originally switched out the delicate female corps of swans for a forceful, menacing flock of male swans has now remained as avant-garde and striking in its unique interpretation. Sharing the titular role of The Swan/The Stranger is Max Westwell in his debut role with Matthew Bourne's New Adventures' international touring company. I had the marvelous opportunity to pose a few queries to this imposing dancer.
As 2020 approaches, a new appreciation of male virtuosity demands consideration. Possibilities for dancers have exploded over the last decade as extreme stretching and acrobatics have come into vogue, though not always for the best. While circus tricks and random moments now seem to rule the stage, not all 'innovation' has been destructive for men. Where once trying to play it straight was the norm, this generation of performers gives zero f*x for anything other than staying true to their artistry and health.
The Auditorium Theatre announces programming for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's March 4-8, 2020 performances in Chicago, featuring Midwest premieres and Ailey classics. The company gives the Midwest premiere to three works: Ode, created by Ailey dancer and the company's first-ever Resident Choreographer Jamar Roberts; Greenwood, Donald Byrd's ensemble work inspired by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre; and Ounce of Faith, Darrell Grand Moultrie's ode to teachers and mentors. The engagement also includes Chicago premieres of BUSK, Aszure Barton's 2009 work premiered by the Ailey company in 2019, and The Call by Ronald K. Brown, a joyous mix of modern and West African dance. The company brings new productions of Ailey Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison's Divining and Lar Lubovitch's Fandango, along with audience favorites In/Side and Ella by Ailey Artistic Director Robert Battle. Keeping with Chicago tradition, every performance ends with company founder Alvin Ailey's masterpiece Revelations.
General Director Ken McConnell and Artistic Director Tobias Picker today announced Tulsa Opera's 73rd season comprising Verdi's Rigoletto; Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice in a new production with dance; and Mr. Picker and librettist Aryeh Lev Stollman's new opera Awakenings, based on the book by Oliver Sacks and directed by Tulsa native James Robinson.
For many, it simply cannot be Christmas without Nutcracker. The enduring story of Clara and her beloved Nutcracker is one to soften the hardest of hearts. The pair defeat the evil Mouse King and his army and journey to the Kingdom Of The Sweets to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy for a magical adventure. English National Ballet present another Christmas revival of the Wayne Eagling version which both enchants and charms.
Nearly 500 arts organisations, human rights charities, schools, colleges and universities came together in June to present events and activities across the UK; whilst international partners and individuals also flew Ai Weiwei's flag to mark the 70th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights.
Manfred Thierry Mugler and Wayne McGregor are such renowned names in their respective fields, a collaboration between them need only be eponymously titled. But for the thrill of the glamour and high-fashion of McGregor + Mugler, this short duet for Edward Watson or the Royal Ballet and Olga Smirnova of the Bolshoi forms only a small segment of an unusual and intriguing triple bill.
On December 7th and 8th 2019, hot on the heels of Gabrielle Chanel with Svetlana Zakharova, MuzArts presents a triple bill like no other – a rare and wonderful treat for ballet fans.
Continuing a series of personal projects away from the mainstay of the Bolshoi repertoire, Svetlana Zakharova returns to the London Coliseum once more with Modanse, a chic double bill of UK premieres with high calibre support from a range of Bolshoi Principals and Soloists. Chic it may be, with opulent costumes and some original choreography but the cumulative effect lacks impact as a vehicle for the ballet superstar to shine.
Former Principal of Royal New Zealand Ballet, English National Ballet, and Royal Danish Ballet, Martin James has today become Patron of bbodance Australasia, the main international presence of bbodance, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2020.
Shanghai Ballet and China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd. present Derek Deane's Grand Swan Lake from January 17-19, 2020 at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, NYC. Tickets are $36-$176, and will be available online atDavidHKochTheater.com, by phone at 212-496-0600, or by visiting the David H. Koch Theater Box Office at 20 Lincoln Center Plaza. Performances: Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 1pm.
Dutch National Ballet presents the world premiere of Frida, a ballet inspired by the life story of Frida Kahlo. Annabelle Lopez Ochoa choreographs the ballet about one of the most intriguing artists of the 20th century. Frida Kahlo became world famous for her paintings, many of them self-portraits. She was also a great advocate of equal rights, broke taboos, was far ahead of her time in her battle for gender neutrality and did not let the doom that struck her restrain her.
It wouldn't be Christmas without Birmingham Repertory Theatre's family favourite The Snowman, now in its 22nd consecutive year. This beloved dance adaptation of Raymond Briggs' tale returns to Sadler's Wells' Peacock Theatre this week as part of its UK tour. Martin Fenton talks to BroadwayWorld about taking on the all-important title role.
Shanghai Ballet and China Arts and Entertainment Group Ltd. present Derek Deane's Grand Swan Lake from January 17-19, 2020at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, 20 Lincoln Center Plaza, NYC. Tickets are $36-$176, and will be available online at DavidHKochTheater.com, by phone at 212-496-0600, or by visiting the David H. Koch Theater Box Office at 20 Lincoln Center Plaza. Performances: Friday and Saturday at 7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 1pm.
On December 7th and 8th, hot on the heels of 'GABRIELLE CHANEL' with Svetlana Zakharova at the Coliseum (December 3rd, 4th, 5th) MuzArts presents a triple bill like no other - a rare and wonderful treat for ballet fans.
The annual BALLET ICONS GALA, presented by Ensemble Productions, celebrates its 15th anniversary at the Coliseum on January 26th 2020 with a thrilling programme of world class ballet.
This spring Southbank Centre welcomes back artists and companies from the UK and around the world including Holly Blakey and Mica Levi, Iceland Dance Company and English National Ballet alongside the already announced London International Mime Festival. New performance pieces also come from FK Alexander, Lepus Productions with electronic artist James Holden, and Jannette Cheong.
The Joffrey Academy of Dance, Official School of The Joffrey Ballet, announces the recipients of the tenth annual Winning Works Choreographic Competition: Chanel DaSilva, Tsai Hsi Hung, Pablo Sánchez (recipient of the inaugural Zach Lazar Winning Works Fellowship, named in honor of former Joffrey Board Chair Zach Lazar) and Durante Verzola.
Voting continues for the 2019 BroadwayWorld UK Awards, brought to you by TodayTix! Nominations were reader-submitted and now our readers get to vote for their favourites. Check out the current standings and cast your vote.
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