Stanton Welch News

BroadwayWorld.com, the largest theatre site on the Internet, is thrilled to announce a new feature to its comprehensive regional coverage - the Featured Regional Dance Company of the Week! Today, it's all about Ballet West in Salt Lake, Utah!

The Joffrey Ballet heats up the winter season with a mixed repertory program of four sensual, romantic and playful ballets by master choreographers in 'American Legends,' presented in ten performances only at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, February 13 - 24, 2013. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the dancers from 'American Legends' below.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, The Joffrey Ballet heats up the winter season with a mixed repertory program of four sensual, romantic and playful ballets by master choreographers in "American Legends," presented in ten performances only at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, February 13 - 24, 2013.

There is no denying that 2012 was a great year for theatre in Houston. Excellent productions were housed all over the city. And with the way things are shaping up, it appears that 2013 will be another fabulous year for theatre in the city. As I glance at the calendar for 2013, I find that there are many productions that I am already looking forward to. Utilizing the greatest restraint I could muster and considerable effort, I offer to you my top 5 most anticipated shows of 2013 in the order that they open...

On Friday, February 1 and Saturday, February 2, 2013, Houston Ballet presents Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal as part of the Cullen Series. One of the missions of the Cullen Series is to introduce the city to exciting contemporary dance makers. Under the artistic direction of Gradimir Pankov, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal will perform Cantata and Four Seasons by Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti. Four Seasons is set to Antonio Vivaldi's score of the same name. The twelve-movement ballet highlights classical technique with contemporary motion. Cantata features live traditional Southern Italian music by Gruppo Musicale Assurd, a quartet of female singers from Italy. Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal will give two performances in the Cullen Theater at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston. Tickets may be purchased by calling 713 227 2787 or by visiting www.houstonballet.org.

One of Australia's most acclaimed ballerinas will take her final curtain call next month. After a stage career spanning 21 years, 18 of those spent at The Australian Ballet, Principal Artist Rachel Rawlins has announced that she will retire at the end of the Swan Lake season in Sydney. Her last show in the title role of Odette will be today, 19 December 2012.

The Houston Ballet organization is imbued with talent from top to bottom. Last year, they organized an event in which the dancers got to experiment and begin growing their own individual choreographic voices. Thursday, December 13, 2012 was their second event with this goal in mind. A small, invitation only audience was treated to an evening of fantastic talent on display in 14 world première ballets by names that are sure to leave a lasting impression on the world of dance.

The night before Amy Fote and dancers of the Houston Ballet celebrated her impressive career in Houston with JUBILEE OF DANCE, the charming and convivial Amy Fote took a few minutes out of her busy schedule to talk with me. With her retirement from the company drawing near, we took the opportunity to talk about how she got involved in dance, her career, and what she plans to do next.

Tonight, November 30, 2012, Houston Ballet presents its ninth annual Jubilee of Dance: A Tribute to Amy Fote, a special one-night only performance showcasing the talent and artistry of the company dancers in a program of high-energy excerpts from signature works and beloved classics. Houston Chronicle dance critic Molly Glentzer called the 2006 Jubilee of Dance "the event of the season," noting, "The audience gave it a rousing standing ovation." The Jubilee of Dance will be held at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston.

Luna Negra Dance Theater continues its family-oriented winter series, Luna Niños, this season with the second dance "episode" of the adventures of Moniquilla and friends, this year titled "Moniquilla and the Moon Monster," presented in three performances only at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, tonight, November 30 at 7 pm and Saturday-Sunday, December 1-2 at 3 pm.

From November 23 - December 30, 2012, Houston Ballet celebrates the 25th anniversary of Ben Stevenson's breathtaking production of The Nutcracker, seen by over 1,000,000 people since its premiere 25 years ago.

One of Australia's most acclaimed ballerinas will take her final curtain call next month. After a stage career spanning 21 years, 18 of those spent at The Australian Ballet, Principal Artist Rachel Rawlins has announced that she will retire at the end of the Swan Lake season in Sydney. Her last show in the title role of Odette will be Wednesday 19 December 2012.

From November 23 - December 30, 2012, Houston Ballet celebrates the 25th anniversary of Ben Stevenson's breathtaking production of The Nutcracker, seen by over 1,000,000 people since its premiere 25 years ago. The beloved ballet tells the story of a little girl named Clara who is given a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. She encounters the frightful King Rat before embarking on a wondrous journey through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. Young and old alike will experience the many special effects, including the Christmas tree which "grows" to 40 feet, 200 pounds of "snow" falling during the snow scene, and the firing of cannon onstage.

The Joffrey Ballet celebrates the 25th Anniversary of Robert Joffrey's The Nutcracker in a 22-performance engagement at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, December 7 - 27, 2012.

On Friday, November 30, 2012, Houston Ballet presents its ninth annual Jubilee of Dance: A Tribute to Amy Fote, a special one-night only performance showcasing the talent and artistry of the company dancers in a program of high-energy excerpts from signature works and beloved classics. Houston Chronicle dance critic Molly Glentzer called the 2006 Jubilee of Dance "the event of the season," noting, "The audience gave it a rousing standing ovation." The Jubilee of Dance will be held at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston.

Luna Negra Dance Theater continues its family-oriented winter series, Luna Niños, this season with the second dance "episode" of the adventures of Moniquilla and friends, this year titled "Moniquilla and the Moon Monster," presented in three performances only at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, Friday, November 30 at 7 pm and Saturday-Sunday, December 1-2 at 3 pm.

Luna Negra Dance Theater continues its family-oriented winter series, Luna Niños, this season with the second dance "episode" of the adventures of Moniquilla and friends, this year titled "Moniquilla and the Moon Monster," presented in three performances only at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, Friday, November 30 at 7 pm and Saturday-Sunday, December 1-2 at 3 pm.