Paul Kolnik News

Choreographer Jerome Robbins was born in New York City in 1918. On this, the occasion of what would be his 100th birthday, the New York City Ballet, for whom he choreographed and became Associate Artistic Director, presents Jerome Robbins 100 with five different programs. On Friday, May 18, 2018, I was in the David Koch Theater to see program #5.

New York City Ballet's Centennial Celebration at the Koch Theater in Lincoln Center of the 100th anniversary of Jerome Robbins' birth honors the prodigiously gifted dancemaker, the company's Co-Founding Choreographer, with a ballet lover's feast of five programs from May 3rd to May 20th 2018. The run include two world premieres as well as 20 ballets by Robbins. He died in 1998 at the age of 80, but “Robbins 100” shows beyond a doubt that his legacy endures.

As the weather warms up, the flowers stretch from their soil towards the sun in all their glory. So do the dancers of New York City Ballet. On May 1, 2018, the company celebrated the experimental prowess of great 21st Century Choreographers in a three-piece program to showcase both the present and future definitions of “ballet.”

For his Centennial, the New York City Ballet chose to honor its former co-ballet master in chief by highlighting his range through three works: the modern and minimalist 'Glass Pieces,' the fun and light-hearted 'Fancy Free,' and the classical and elegant 'The Four Seasons.' Each is distinct, and collectively the productions and the wonderful performances bring to life the work of a master.

The New York City Ballet has completed its annual pilgrimage to the Kennedy Center. This year the venerable company brings an offering of Balanchine, Martins, Peck, and more Balanchine to Washington. The choreography was well danced, and the orchestra sounded excellent. But compared to years past, the simplicity and repetitive nature of this program left me feeling underwhelmed.

The Washington Pavilion was filled with razzle and dazzle Tuesday night as CHICAGO made its latest tour stop in Sioux Falls as part of its 20th anniversary tour.

Two-time Tony Award Winner Norbert Leo Butz is about to take the stage again this year in the Broadway Revival of My Fair Lady as Alfred P. Doolittle -- a part that won George Rose the Tony back in 1976. Butz is one of only nine actors who have won the Best Actor Tony twice (alongside stars like Nathan Lane). As he prepares to take stage yet again, let's reflect on his career: all twenty two years of it!

On March 1, 2018, I saw one of the final performances of New York City Ballet's Winter 2018 season (ending March 4th). The Stravinsky/ Balanchine program presents some of Balanchine's most appreciated ballets, which is exciting to experience. Over the years, many dancers have had the opportunity to perform these ballets. Now, many years since the death of the choreographer/artistic director, April 30, 1983, the NYCB company continues to thrive. While a number of the older dancers take on the style of the Master, many of the corps de ballet members seem to be dancing without the full comprehension of the spirit, even the technique, which created these works. This, of course, can be explained in part by the changes in the world in which they live. We can hope for evolution in a positive direction.

Riveting, Breathtaking! A cultural phenomenon! Worthy of all the standing ovations it received! Yes, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater delivered one of the most spectacular dance masterpieces that I've ever witnessed.

As reported on Broadwayworld.com and elsewhere in December 2017, the New York City Ballet Board of Directors appointed an interim artistic team in the wake of the leave of absence and subsequent resignation of longtime NYCB Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins following accusations against him of sexual harassment.

It's easy for a premier ballet company to delight and amaze, but it's even more exciting when they leave you surprised, and on February 1 2018 at the David H. Koch Theater, New York City Ballet did just that. With an eccentric program that ran the gamut in both content and cadence, it was the world premiere of “dance odyssey” that ended up stealing the show.

Entering its 24th season, the 92Y Harkness Dance Festival spans five weeks and showcases a varied spectrum of work from revivals of classic works to cutting-edge pieces by emerging talent exploring the expressiveness of physicality. The festival reflects the reputation of 92Y's Harkness Dance Center not only as the place where it all started…but where it's all heading.

During their John Guare Festival and the World Premiere of Guare's epic Lydie Breeze Trilogy, EgoPo Classic Theater is collaborating with Drexel University's Performing Arts Department for an evening symposium, Future of American Playwriting, Saturday, February 3 at 4 p.m. The panel will feature John Guare and local playwrights Jacqueline Goldfinger, Bruce Graham, and James Ijames. The panel is moderated by Broad Street Review Editor in Chief Wendy Rosenfield. The symposium will be held in the Stein Auditorium in Nesbitt Hall at Drexel University, 3215 Market Street. Tickets cost $10 and are available on www.egopo.org or by phone at 267-273-1414.

The internationally-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater brings six performances of inspiring, timely works to the Auditorium Theatre, the company's Chicago home for nearly half a century, on March 7-11.

Produced by Barry and Fran Weissler, CHICAGO is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, CHICAGO is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history -- and it shows no sign of ever slowing down!

Chicago returns to the Kravis Center January 19-21! With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, CHICAGO is now the #1 longest-running American musical in Broadway history -- and it shows no sign of ever slowing down!

On Friday, December 8, longtime Ailey star Jamar Roberts made his choreographic debut on the company with Members Don't Get Weary. Set to music by legendary saxophonist John Coltrane, the blues-inspired premiere was attended by Tarell Alvin McCraney, playwright and co-writer of the Oscar-winning film Moonlight a high school classmate of Roberts at Miami's New World School of the Arts. The New York Times called the opening scene striking and the work as emotional as it was virtuosic.

When the opening night curtain rose on the final work of an emotional night - the last performances of the Suzanne Farrell Ballet that has been in residence at the Kennedy Center for 15 years - there was applause even before there was any movement.