The Corps de Ballet News

Boston Ballet presents the coming-of-age fairytale The Sleeping Beauty by Marius Petipa with additional choreography by Sir Frederick Ashton. Hailed as one of the Company's trademark works, this quintessential production features soaring music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and sumptuous sets and costumes by Emmy Award-winning designer David Walker. The Sleeping Beauty runs May 11–19, 2018, at the Boston Opera House.

Wolverhampton Grand Theatre today announced that the lovely Debbie McGee has joined the cast of this year's fairytale pantomime SLEEPING BEAUTY joining Doreen Tipton and Ian Adams in the must-see annual festive treat from Saturday 8 December.

Pennsylvania Ballet Soloist James Ihde has announced he will retire after 25 seasons on stage with Pennsylvania Ballet, with a performance of George Balanchine's Diamonds on Sunday, May 13 at 2pm at The Academy of Music.

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.

Casting has been announced for Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA for its highly anticipated return to St. Louis at the Fabulous Fox Theatre May 9-20. With newly reinvented staging and stunning scenic design, this new version of PHANTOM is performed by a cast and orchestra of 52, making this one of the largest productions on tour in North America.

Works & Process, the performing arts series at the Guggenheim, presents 'Breaking Bread with Balanchine'on Sunday and Monday, April 8 and 9, 2018 at 7:30pm.

With 11 titles set to be broadcast to more than 500 UK cinemas and to another 1,000 in 40 countries across the globe, the Royal Opera House's Live Cinema Season 2018/19 will showcase a wide variety of ballet and opera, including three new works, all relayed live from Covent Garden. The 2018/19 Season will feature the great classic of The Royal Ballet's repertory The Nutcracker and world-renowned opera stars including Michael Fabiano, Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko and Eva-Maria Westbroek among other treats.

LOVE NEVER DIES is an unnecessary sequel to the megahit PHANTOM that wisely skips Broadway and hits the national tour road for ALW fans. The ladies of this evening rule even though the guys are (supposed to be) in charge of the action in this passable evening of musical theatre.

Artistic Director Terrence S. Orr has promoted three corps de ballet dancers to the rank of soloist for Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre's 2018-2019 Season, which runs from October 2018 to May 2019.

John Rowe's photographs provide a preview of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba's performances in the upcoming 'Artes de Cuba Festival' at the Kennedy Center, Washington DC: "Don Quixote" May 29 & 30; "Giselle" May 31-June 3 2018.

A brand new season of West End musicals, gripping dramas, dynamic dance and one night concerts will go on sale at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Highlights include the return of the phenomenally successful smash hit musical THE BODYGUARD, a major new production of DOCTOR DOLITTLE THE MUSICAL, Belinda Lang and Oliver Cotton in DUET FOR ONE, Joe Pasquale, Russell Watson, Doreen Tipton's brand new live show DOREEN'S BIG TOP and the National Theatre return in 2019 with MACBETH.

Tchaikovsky's exquisite score meets Nureyev's exhilarating choreography in a sensational grand ballet experience. The National Ballet of Canada brings back their celebrated production of Tchaikovsky's THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, choreographed by the late Rudolf Nureyev. A dancer himself, Nureyev's creative stamp on the piece expands the already technically challenging choreography originally created by Marius Petipa - adding depth to the Prince's role with variations of amplified difficulty. Even the most ardent ballet critic is sure to be impressed by the extreme athleticism required to dance this production.

Casting has been announced for Cameron Mackintosh's spectacular new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA for the premiere South Bend engagement at the Morris Performing Arts Center. 

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.

Houston Ballet Artistic Director Stanton Welch AM and Houston Ballet Academy Director Vicki Attard are pleased to announce that the Academy's own Lower School Principal Melissa Bowman has been named as Houston Ballet Academy's next Director, overseeing a variety of programs designed to take students from their first introduction to movement through a full course of ballet study. Mrs. Bowman will immediately step into her new role within Houston Ballet Academy as Deputy Director, while working hand in hand with Director Vicki Attard. The transition will continue through the summer and on June 4, 2018 Mrs. Bowman will assume the title of Academy Director.

The Washington Ballet (TWB) is proud to present Three World Premieres by choreographers Clifton Brown, Gemma Bond and Marcelo Gomes at the Harman Center, March 14-18, 2018. All three choreographers have had formidable dance careers with internationally recognized ballet companies. This triptych of exquisite new works by the emerging choreographers of our time reflects their own history and experiences as dancers. TWB reaffirms its commitment to advancing dance in the 21st century in this program of commissioned works that support both the evolution of ballet and the dancer.

Carousel is headed back to Broadway and its cast leaves nothing to be desired; get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

Broadway Dance Lab (BDL), a non-profit choreography incubator supporting new works of dance-driven theatre, has announced that former New York City Ballet principal dancer, and Tony Award nominee, Robert Fairchild, will join Loni Landon and Ray Mercer as guest choreographers for the company's Spring 2018 Cycle. The Lab is set to begin on Feb. 26, and will culminate with a Gala performance on April 2 at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

On the evening of Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at the David H. Koch Theater, New York City Ballet featured Romeo and Juliet - a ballet in two acts. It was based on the play by William Shakespeare, music by Sergei Prokofiev, and choreography by Peter Martins.  The scenery was created by Per Kirkeby and the costumes were by Per Kirkeby and Kirsten Lund Nielsen.  The orchestra was conducted by Andrew Litton. The curtain opened to reveal blood red trees and background. This visual was brilliantly conceived by Mr. Kirkeby. It foreshadowed the "flames of lost love and passion". It's opening musical strains evoked a myriad of ominous events yet to occur in the lives of these two star-crossed young people and their families.