Oliver Smith News

ABT's 75th Anniversary Gala, a balletomane's dream of a performance on May 18th 2015 at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center, treated the nearly sold-out audience to a joyous celebration in dance and archival images of the American Ballet Theatre's seven-and-a-half decade reign as 'America's National Ballet Company'. That designation became official with an act of Congress on April 27th 2006, but the troupe founded by Richard Pleasant with Lucia Chase and Oliver Smith as Co-Directors in 1940 had embraced the ethos of this country right from the start.

Jerome Robbins choreographic masterpiece, Goldberg Variations, to Johan Sebastian Bach's musical masterpiece of the same name, was first on New York City Ballet's program on Wednesday evening, May 13, replete with many stars of the company. Pianist Susan Walters sat far left on stage level, playing beautifully. The curtain opened on Faye Arthurs and Zachary Catazaro, in Baroque costume, dancing the Theme. Catazaro, a soloist with NYCB, showed himself to be an ideal classical danseur noble. He is handsome, debonair, confident, and secure, dancing with subtle nuances to his movement, which enriches the experience for the audience, as well, no doubt, for his own pleasure. Part I Variations featured dancers wearing contemporary leotards and dance skirts. With a distinctly Robbins flair, they became a painting in motion, exuding feeling. Emilie Gerrity, corps de ballet, and Lauren Lovette, soloist, were captivating in their duet. Part II Variations offered several gems. Tiler Peck and Gonzalo Garcia were playful and fun to see. Amar Ramasar, who joined NYCB in 2001 and became principal dancer in 2009, continues to grow as he matures, with fully developed expression and superb partnering. Maria Kowroski's long lines filled the stage. There was a cornucopia of beauty and joy via this coupling of dancers and choreography. Only the second group of corps de ballet in blue seemed to misunderstand the Robbins' spirit, particularly in their runs with knees bent, kicking back. Towards the end of Part II, the dancers changed into Baroque style costumes. Arthurs and Catazaro then returned in contemporary costumes. Finally, there was a group salute to the pianist, unusual and fitting.

Casting for the first two weeks of American Ballet Theatre's 2015 Spring Season at the Metropolitan Opera House was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie. 

Check out photos from Westchester Broadway Theatre's WEST SIDE STORY, April 9th - July 5th, 2015!

American Ballet Theatre's 2015 season at the Metropolitan Opera House, May 11-July 4, will be highlighted by the New York Premiere of an all-new production of The Sleeping Beauty, a revival of Lar Lubovitch's Othello and repertory programs featuring historic works in celebration of the Company's 75th Anniversary Season. Tickets for ABT's Spring Season at the Metropolitan Opera House go on sale at the box office on Sunday, March 22 at 9:00 A.M.

Based on the 1994 Albert Finney film, the musical A Man of No Importance played at New York's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, Lincoln Center in 2002, then earned 2003's Outer Circle Critics Award for authors Lynn Ahrens (Lyrics), Stephen Flaherty (music), and Terrance McNally (Book.) This past Sunday (for two performances), 54 Below staged a concert version of A Man of No Importance as part of their popular 54 Below Sings . . . series.

Artistic Director Peter Boal has announced to subscribers the line-up for Pacific Northwest Ballet's 2015-2016 season. Highlights include a program devoted to the work of American master choreographers George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, and Twyla Tharp; the return of popular works by Balanchine (The Prodigal Son), Robbins (The Concert), Christopher Wheeldon (Tide Harmonic), and Crystal Pite (Emergence); two story ballets (Romeo et Juliette and Coppelia), PNB premieres by Justin Peck, Jessica Lang, and Alejandro Cerrudo; a newly reconstructed Le Corsaire: A Pirate's Tale for matinee fanily audiences; and the unveiling of Balanchine's The Nutcrackerwith brand-new sets and costumes by Ian Falconer.

American Ballet Theatre's 2015 season at the Metropolitan Opera House was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie. The season will be highlighted by the New York Premiere of Alexei Ratmansky's all-new production of The Sleeping Beauty, a revival of Lar Lubovitch's Othello and repertory programs featuring historic works in celebration of the Company's 75th Anniversary Season.

The Joffrey Ballet celebrates the 27thannual presentation of Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker, Chicago's most popular holiday tradition, in a 24-performance engagement at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, tonight, December 5 - 28.

The Joffrey Ballet celebrates the 27th annual presentation of Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker, Chicago's most popular holiday tradition, in a 24-performance engagement at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, tonight, December 5 - 28.

The Joffrey Ballet celebrates the 27thannual presentation of Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker, Chicago's most popular holiday tradition, in a 24-performance engagement at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway,December 5 - 28.

The Joffrey Ballet celebrates the 27th annual presentation of Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker, Chicago's most popular holiday tradition, in a 24-performance engagement at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, December 5 - 28.

Our national ballet treasure, American Ballet Theatre, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The 2014-2015 season is abundant in new works, classical masterpieces, and signature American Ballet Theatre masterworks.

American Ballet Theatre and the Arts Initiative at Columbia University have formed a new arts partnership that will offer students a unique, in-depth immersion into the process of creating a new ballet. It was announced today by Rachel Moore, ABT CEO and Melissa Smey, Executive Director of the Arts Initiative and Miller Theatre at Columbia University. The partnership was designed as a complement to American Ballet Theatre's Innovation Initiative, a two-week choreographic workshop spearheaded by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie and ABT Principal Dancer David Hallberg.

Today we are turning our attention to the rapturously received Broadway revival of Golden Age classic ON THE TOWN.

American Ballet Theatre's 2015 season at the Metropolitan Opera House was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie. The season will be highlighted by the New York Premiere of Alexei Ratmansky's all-new production of The Sleeping Beauty, a revival of Lar Lubovitch's Othello and repertory programs featuring historic works in celebration of the Company's 75th Anniversary Season.

The complete cast of the Almeida Theatre's acclaimed production of King Charles III began rehearsals today for the play's West End transfer. Directed by Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold, the world premiere of Mike Bartlett's hit new play enjoyed a sell-out run at the Almeida earlier this year and received outstanding critical acclaim. King Charles III will transfer to the Wyndham's Theatre for a limited season previewing from Tuesday 2 September with a press performance on Thursday 11 September.

The Ogunquit Playhouse, America's Foremost Summer Theatre, will be one of the first regional theatres in the U.S. to produce the Tony Award winning Billy Elliot the Musical on stage June 25 to July 26. Billy Elliot tells the story of a young boy who discovers his true passion lies in ballet class and not in the boxing ring, and then finds the strength to defy the convention of his small UK mining town to make his dream come true. The Ogunquit production features a cast of Broadway veterans, including Anastasia Barzee, Armond Shultz and Tony Award nominee Joel Blum.

Today we continue the 2014 edition of our annual BroadwayWorld feature series spotlighting the very best Tony Awards-related moments of all time with a special focus on one of the most adored and highly-awarded musicals ever written, HELLO, DOLLY!

Hilda Morales was born in N.Y. City, and grew up in Puerto Rico. Her early training was with Ana Garcia of the Ballet San Juan. At 14 years of age, Ms. Morales received a Ford Foundation Scholarship to study at George Balanchine's School of American Ballet. She danced as a principal dancer with the Pennsylvania Ballet, soloist with American Ballet Theatre, artist-in-residence with the Colorado Ballet and guest appearances with Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, Albuquerque Ballet and Jacksonville Ballet. During her dancing career, Ms. Morales performed in full-length classic ballets as well as works by George Balanchine, Jerome Robbins, Agnes de Mille, Antony Tudor, John Butler, Alvin Ailey, and Jose Limon. Ms. Morales was featured in the movie The Turning Point, in the role of Sandra, directed by Herbert Ross. She guest teaches and is on the faculty of the Central Pennsylvania summer programs, and joined The Hartt School faculty in 1998.