Paul Kolnik News

In my 2015 review of the Peter Martins version of Swan Lake for the New York City Ballet, I focused on my dismay about the d cor and costumes by Per Kirkeby that strip this classic of its time and place. Yet because I was prepared for that disappointment this time around, I was able to find more to like about the production on the evening of September 20th 2017 when I attended at the Koch Theater in Lincoln Center.

Six alumni of Metropolitan Ballet Academy & Company in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania are advancing in dance companies and conservatories across America, including New York City Ballet (NYCB), Pacific Northwest Ballet, Philadanco, Cincinnati Ballet, and Colorado Ballet.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Center's Principal Dance Company, returns to the theater's stage from November 29th - December 31st, 2017. Artistic Director Robert Battle leads Ailey's 32 extraordinary dancers during this annual five-week engagement, which has become a joyous holiday tradition.

George Balanchine's famous ballet THEME AND VARIATIONS will be performed at Gran Teatro de La Habana in October.

Responding directly to audience requests for "more Broadway, more comedy, more music superstars from Bach to rock," the 26th annual season of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts promises a dynamic playbill of award-winning shows, world-class talents and powerful performances that will generate enthusiastic standing ovations from our discerning audience members of every age and demographic.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Center's Principal Dance Company, returns to the theater's stage from November 29th - December 31st, 2017.

On November 12, 2017, the Auditorium Theatre, The Theatre for the People, commemorates the 50th anniversary of its grand re-opening with a one-night-only mixed repertory program featuring dancers from the world's premier dance companies: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theatre, Dutch National Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Joffrey Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, MOMIX, New York City Ballet, Parsons Dance, The Suzanne Farrell Ballet, and The Washington Ballet.

From July 20th to 23rd 2017 as part of the Lincoln Center Festival in NYC, three of the world's greatest ballet companies danced together for the first time ever in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the premiere of George Balanchine's plotless evening –length masterpiece, Jewels, as well as the 50th anniversary of the festival itself.

Music has been a part of theatre since the dawn of the genre; from the origins of the Greek chorus to opera to Vaudeville to and to musical theatre. However, in recent years the line between the music and the theatre on Broadway has become more blurred as in unique and creative ways, we have seen performers serving as both actors and musicians.

The New York City Ballet's technique, grace, and variety of programming is impeccable. The night feels like a quick tour through the dance and music of the past 100 years, starting with the jazz of George Gershwin and ending with the frenetic electronica of Dan Deacon. There's something for everyone here, whether you prefer your ballet classical or contemporary.

One of the finest ballet companies in the country is in town this week at the Kennedy Center for two programs that feature the work of some of the world's most famous choreographers.

Today's subject Taylor Stanley is living his theatre life as a company member of  New York City Ballet (NYCB), one of the most famous and prestigious ballet companies in the country. With repertoire works that feature choreography by such greats as George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins, it's easy to understand why the company has that status. NYCB begins a one week engagement at the Kennedy Center's Opera House on June 6. The two programs will feature the works of George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, Justin Peck, and the DC premiere of a work by Alexei Ratmansky.

Reviewing George Balanchine 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' on Wednesday, May 24 was like visiting an old friend. My father took me to see it as a child soon after it opened in 1962, and while the memory fades as we grow older, Gloria Govrin in the role of Hippolyta bounding around the stage remains steadfast, never diminishing. Thank you, New York City Ballet, for the recollection and for a wonderful theatrical evening.

New York City Ballet continues to include new choreographies in its repertoire, billed this season as the Here and Now Festival. On May 12, 2017 NYCB performed four newer works created in 1994, 1998, 2006, and a world premiere.

The Blue of Distance by Robert Binet, Choreographic Associate with The National Ballet of Canada, returns to the David H. Koch Theater at New York's Lincoln Center for two performances on May 10 and 13, 2017.

As part of their spring NYC season, New York City Ballet (NYCB) presents the Here/Now Festival featuring ten specially curated programs. This is an opportunity for audiences to see the breadth, quality, and range of works that have been developed over the past three decades. On the evening of May 3, 2017, I had the opportunity to see program number 3- dedicated to the repertory of Resident Choreographer, Justin Peck.

New York City Ballet's 'All Wheeldon' program, part of the Here/Now series on April 30, was, in most cases, a great success. Wheeldon is now a celebrity choreographer. He is followed everywhere, has received abundant awards for his ballets and Broadway productions. Together with Justin Peck and Alexander Ratmansky, all City Ballet past or present artists-in-residence, he has come to many to represent ballet's future, although what that future is remains a question mark.

The New York City Ballet kicked off day two of the company's 2017 Spring Season on Wednesday, April 19 at the opulent David H. Koch Theater. A performance dedicated to the iconic playfulness of Jerome Robbin's choreography, the evening started on a high note with the orchestra's charming “See the Music” section, treating the audience to teaser selections of the coming score. The bluesy, sultry notes of Bernstein's music set the scene beautifully; as the orchestra descended back into the pit, the curtain rose on “Fancy Free,” the legendary collaboration between Robbins and Bernstein, which later inspired Broadway's sensation “On The Town.”

On the evening of Saturday, February 25th 2017 at the Koch Theater, a triple bill showed off the versatility and genius of Jerome Robbins, who with George Balanchine was a Founding Choreographer of NYCB.

When Aurora makes her first appearance in SLEEPING BEAUTY, the audience usually sits up-there's a murmur, an anticipation. THE STAR is here, and she's in charge for the next two hours. And THE STAR had better be ready. The audience is watching her every move, not to mention her every mishap.