Joseph Walsh News

San Francisco Ballet announces the premiere of Dance of Dreams, a new dance film directed by Benjamin Millepied, featuring San Francisco Ballet dancers performing choreography by Justin Peck, Dwight Rhoden, Janie Taylor, and Christopher Wheeldon.

Opening night of San Francisco Ballet's triumphant production of George Balanchine's a?oeA Midsummer Night's Dreama?? was both a thrilling and heartbreaking occasion. Thrilling because SFB gave a masterful performance of this Balanchine classic that has gone missing from its repertoire for far too long. Heartbreaking because mere moments after the final curtain came down, a notice was issued that all subsequent performances of a?oeMidsummer'sa?? scheduled run had been cancelled due the Mayor's efforts to prevent the spread of the corona virus. Of course, health concerns must take precedence, but it was still incredibly sad to think that others would not be able to experience this glorious production, at least for the time being. I also couldn't help feeling for the dancers and artistic staff who had clearly poured their hearts and souls into this huge endeavor. In the meantime, though, let's not let current events dim the glowing memories of opening night.

San Francisco Ballet's latest mixed repertoire program, a?oeDance Innovations,a?? covers a lot of territory thematically and choreographically, and has a wealth of transcendent moments. Two of the ballets were made expressly for SFB, and the other is a classic from the mid-20th century.

Program 05, Lyric Voices, opens on March 27 at San Francisco Ballet with works that navigate the fine line between self-interest and self-obsession, and illuminate society's obsession with gadgets and devices. SF Ballet's Choreographer in Residence Yuri Possokhov's  “. . . two united in a single soul . . .” premieres during the triple-bill program, which runs through April 7 at SF War Memorial Opera House, and Christopher Wheeldon's Bound To and Trey McIntyre's Your Flesh Shall Be a Great Poem both return after their critical successes during 2018 Unbound: A Festival of New Works.

Some pieces of theater require your undivided attention because of some deep underlying message that the playwright doesn't want you to miss. This is not the case for MetroStage's return holiday engagement of Catherine Flye's Christmas at The Old Bull & Bush and that's totally ok. This British Variety Music Hall Entertainment is full of music, good performances, and some really corny jokes. In other words, it is everything you would expect from a show set in 1918 in Hampstead, London.

Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin is pleased to announce that Christmas at the Old Bull and Bush 2018 will be returning to MetroStage (Nov 29-Dec 30). The play, written and directed by Catherine Flye, had an acclaimed six year run at the Old Vat Room at Arena Stage (1997-2003) before debuting at MetroStage last season. Two members of the original Bull and Bush cast will be joined by some new members of a very eccentric British troupe to entertain audiences for the holidays.

Producing Artistic Director Carolyn Griffin is pleased to announce that Christmas at the Old Bull and Bush 2018 will be returning to MetroStage (Nov 29-Dec 30). The play, written and directed by Catherine Flye, had an acclaimed six year run at the Old Vat Room at Arena Stage (1997-2003) before debuting at MetroStage last season. Two members of the original Bull and Bush cast will be joined by some new members of a very eccentric British troupe to entertain audiences for the holidays.

The Women's Voices Theater Festival may be winding down in D.C. proper, but Alexandria's MetroStage is looking to keep the focus on female-centered stories with their Spring Solo Series. The second of these one-woman shows, George-Don't Do That: The Music and Magic of Joyce Grenfell, is a love-filled tribute to British comedienne Joyce Grenfell who became a global sensation in the mid-20th century thanks to her intellectual satire and good natured spirit. Despite clear adoration for the play's subject, the work doesn't properly explain who Ms. Grenfell is or why she became so famous, information which would be helpful for a modern American audience.

Back in the late 90's I went to the old Vat Room at Arena Stage to see this Christmas show that my Catholic University professor talked about. Being the grandchild of a British war bride, I had many British Christmases growing up, so I knew what to expect. What I didn't expect back then was how enjoyable that night would be. Sometimes you go to the theater to have fun and escape from the troubles of your day.

When Ghost the movie premiered in 1990, it became an instant sensation. The combination of romance, comedy and fantasy made for a movie going experience that men and women could relate to. Everyone wanted Demi Moore's haircut, pottery classes and the song Unchained Melody performed at proms and weddings.

Now in its 36th year, The In Series announces a diverse season of 'Opera & more'. The 2017-2018 season includes a new English adaptation of Mozart's The Magic Flute to be performed in DC's Scottish Rite Temple, a sizzling double-bill of Cuban zarzuela, and Viktor Ullmann's haunting Emperor of Atlantis. Popular and concert offerings include a Jacques Brel cabaret in French and English, a revue featuring the music of Jerome Kern, the family musical Duke Ellington's Neighborhood and Operetta Holiday, a staged-concert evening of light opera favorites.

Now in its 36th year, The In Series announces a diverse season of 'Opera & more'. The 2017-2018 season includes a new English adaptation of Mozart's The Magic Flute to be performed in DC's Scottish Rite Temple, a sizzling double-bill of Cuban zarzuela, and Viktor Ullmann's haunting Emperor of Atlantis. Popular and concert offerings include a Jacques Brel cabaret in French and English, a revue featuring the music of Jerome Kern, the family musical Duke Ellington's Neighborhood and Operetta Holiday, a staged-concert evening of light opera favorites.

MASTER CLASS is McNally's fictionalized and highly entertaining play where "La Divina" once again brings her passions to the stage, this time as a teacher of young opera students. For the production now lighting up MetroStage, Illona Dulaski embodies Callas in a tour de force performance.

Before ballet stages everywhere become crowded with nutcrackers and their gala holiday accouterments, there is still time for other sturdy folk tales of enchantment set to Russian music and popular with children with which to spin off imaginative ballets.

Now in its 35th year, The In Series opens its season with Who's The Boss?, a rollicking double bill of short comic opera, pairing Pergolesi's La Serva Padrona (in English) with Gilbert & Sullivan's Trial By Jury.

Now in its 35th year, The In Series opens its season with Who's The Boss?, a rollicking double bill of short comic opera, pairing Pergolesi's La Serva Padrona (in English) with Gilbert & Sullivan's Trial By Jury.

Lincoln Center at the Movies, the new cinema series recently announced by Lincoln Center in partnership with Fathom Events, will open in fall 2015 with Great American Dance presenting performances by four of America's leading companies: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico, New York City Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet. Each event will be shown in select cinemas nationwide at nearly 400 locations.

San Francisco Ballet kicks off the new cinema series, Lincoln Center at the Movies: Great American Dance, with Artistic Director & Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson's Romeo & Juliet on September 24 at 7:00pm. Shown at select cinemas nationwide, the screenings will feature the full production in HD, along with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews. SF Ballet Principal Dancers Maria Kochetkova and Davit Karapetyan perform the title roles of Juliet and Romeo, with Company Principal Dancers Pascal Molat, Joseph Walsh, and Luke Ingham performing the roles of Mercutio, Benvolio, and Tybalt, respectively.

I talk to Allison Miller, a dancer whose sparkling personality manages her sparkling performance, about Houston Ballet's THE NUTCRACKER.

In this Broadway World interview, I have a very serious conversation with Lauren Strongin, soloist for the Houston Ballet. Really folks, I just could not think of one joke. But, this interview doesn't need my comedy. Lauren and I discussed FROM HOUSTON TO THE WORLD, in which she dances in all four pieces, overcoming injury, and making the move from Sarasota, Florida to Houston, Texas.