Paul Kolnik News

On May 21, 2015, at the David Koch Theater, New York City Ballet performed three works created by choreographers of today.

So how far does an afternoon of Bournonville go? I would love to say a long way, yet in the performance on Sunday, May 24 at the Koch Theater, the dancers of the New York City Ballet proved that, while soaring high octane is definitely in their blood, the softer sounds and characterizations of Bournonville may be beyond their considerable and powerful techniques.

The story of Anna and the King of Siam returns in a majestic, multi-Tony-nominated revival.

Jon Viktor Corpuz, who currently plays the role of Prince Chulalongkorn in Lincoln Center Theater's Broadway revival of THE KING AND I, is set to make his 54 Below solo debut, titled 'Confessions of a Drama King,' on Monday, June 15, at 7 p.m. Doors open shortly after 5 p.m.

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.

A new look at the creative team of the dynamic performance piece!

Suzanne Farrell, one of the greatest ballerinas of her generation, proved herself to be a charming and thoroughly engaging raconteur when she appeared on the evening of May 12th 2015 as a guest of LIVE from NYPL. The event at the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in NYC was ably hosted by LIVE founder Paul Holdengraber and co-presented with Jennifer Homans' Center for Ballet and the Arts at New York University as well as the Friends of the Jerome Robbins Dance Division at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

A new look at the dynamic performance piece!

A look inside rehearsals for the dynamic new performance piece!

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: The Divine Miss M heads out on tour, a new Bob Marley musical debuts in Maryland, and the Lortel Awards are set for this weekend!

The Daily Mail writes that Mel Brooks is reimagining the musical adaptation of his film YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN for the London stage. The musical will be making its West End debut (no word yet on when) with help from original Broadway helmer and THE PRODUCERS colleague Susan Stroman.

The School of American Ballet announces the Workshop Performance Benefit 2015 on Tuesday, June 2, 2015. The evening begins with cocktails at 5:30pm in Juilliard's Morse Hall, followed by the performance at 7pm in the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Lincoln Center. A seated dinner at 9pm at the Mandarin Oriental will conclude the evening. For more information, please contact the special events office at SAB at (212) 769-6610. Tickets and tables are available at www.sab.org/workshopbenefit.

Lincoln Center Theater (under the direction of Producing Artistic Director,  Andre Bishop) has extended the run of its critically acclaimed production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's THE KING AND I, directed by Bartlett Sher, indefinitely at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street).  In addition, the Ambassador Theatre Group and NETworks Presentations LLC will launch a national tour of the Lincoln Center Theater production, which was recently nominated for 9 Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Musical, in November 2016 in Providence, RI.   The National Tour will play multi-week and single week engagements throughout the 2016-17 touring season and beyond. Casting and additional engagements for the tour will be announced at a future date.

The spring 2015 season of the New York City Ballet at the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center boasts not one but two programs featuring George Balanchine's minimalist masterpieces that are affectionately referred to as the "leotard ballets" by dancers and devotees alike. On the evening of May 1st, "Balanchine Black & White 1" proved once again that plotless ballets stripped of elaborate sets and costumes do indeed achieve Mr. B's goal of focusing on the movement and the music. What is so remarkable is that each of the three works on the bill, all of them with the dancers in practice clothes, is uniquely compelling. This feast of Mr. B's earliest neoclassical creations holds the audience in thrall from start to finish without ever becoming repetitious.

Kelli O'Hara stars in a Bartlett Sher Rodgers and Hammerstein revival that mimics his previous Rodgers and Hammerstein revival.

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? This weekend's big news: WOLF HALL stars come to THEATER TALK, and FUN HOME opens on Broadway this Sunday!

Lincoln Center Theater presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I, led by Kelli O'Hara (as Anna Leonowens) and Ken Watanabe (as the King of Siam), directed by Bartlett Sher. The production opens tonight, April 16, 2015 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street). Let's see what the critics had to say...

Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: THE KING AND I sweeps onto Broadway, A CHORUS LINE marks its 40th anniversary, AMERICAN BUFFALO starts in the West End and more!

Lincoln Center Theater presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's The King and I, led by Kelli O'Hara (as Anna Leonowens) and Ken Watanabe (as the King of Siam), directed by Bartlett Sher, and opening tonight, April 16, 2015 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street).

Lincoln Center Theater's THE KING AND I, which features a cast led by Kelli O'Hara (as Anna Leonowens) and Ken Watanabe (as the King of Siam), is directed by Bartlett Sher, is currently in previews ahead of an official opening night on Thursday, April 16 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65 Street). Below, BroadwayWorld has an extensive and stunning first look at the cast onstage!