Washington Ballet – Hemingway: The Sun Also Rises – Washington
…Webre saves the best for last. …watching the bare-knuckle boxing brawl in the end of the ballet, instigated by the disgruntled Robert Cohn, is worth the price of admission alone.
American Ballet Theatre – Symphony in C, Moor’s Pavane, Symphony #9 – Washington
…with choreographic masterpieces by George Balanchine and José Limón and a Washington D.C. premiere of Alexei Ratmansky’s new work, this ABT program was in every way a balletomane’s dream come true.
New York City Ballet – Swan Lake, Allegro Brillante, Tsch Suite No. 3 – Washington
The revitalizing impact of Balanchine’s choreography on Tchaikovsky’s music was particularly evident in the all-Tchaikovsky, all-Balanchine program presented by New York City Ballet at the Kennedy Center Opera House during the last week of March.
GoteborgsOperans Danskompani – Nordic Cool season – Washington
The most successful piece from Göteborg’s troupe was OreloB (Bolero spelled backwards), created by Finnish choreographer Kenneth Kvarnström as part of the program titled 3xBoléro – a dance-triptych which interprets Ravel’s Bolero from three different perspectives.
Tero Saarinen Company – Westward Ho!, Wavelengths, HUNT – Washington
Like the Stravinsky score, HUNT is a tour de force. The monumental orchestral chants of The Rite inspired the choreographer to create a dance-as-ritual in which music, movement, and multimedia blend together…
Iceland Dance Company – Til, The Swan, Grosstadtsafari – Washington
The Swan (2008), a duet created by the company’s artistic director Lára Stefánsdóttir, turned out to be the most intriguing and theatrically effective dance on the program.
National Ballet of Canada – Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Washington
The highly-anticipated and much-talked-about production of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has finally made its way to Washington D.C. for a ten-performance run in January…
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Renee Robinson Farewell and Ailey Classics bill – Washington
The evening felt like a big party, with the Opera House filled to the brim by a cheering, adoring audience. …”Renee Robinson, We celebrate her tonight!” said Robert Battle, artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Renee Robinson – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Oksana Khadarina talks to one of Alvin Ailey company’s leading lights on the eve of her retirement…
Ballet West – The Nutcracker – Washington
From start to finish this Nutcracker …is a true Christmas gift for children and adults alike – one of the most satisfying versions of the holiday classic I have ever seen.
Natalia Makarova Honoured at The 35th Annual Kennedy Center Honours
The Honors are America’s highest award for those whose creative triumphs influenced and enhanced American culture. This is a celebration of their outstanding careers and extraordinary talents and appreciation of their unyielding commitment and contribution to the arts.
San Francisco Ballet – Trio, RAkU, Voices of Spring, Number Nine – Washington
The mixed bill proved once again that San Francisco Ballet is a dedicated promoter of new work…
Suzanne Farrell Ballet – Autumn 2012 Program B – Washington
The company premiere of The Prodigal Son was the centerpiece and highlight of the Suzanne Farrell Ballet’s second all-Balanchine program at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater – a program that also included Divertimento No. 15 and Slaughter on Tenth Avenue.
Suzanne Farrell Ballet – Autumn 2012 Program A – Washington
When watching them perform one understands what dance critic Joan Acocella meant when she said: “Every single time Suzanne Farrell sets a Balanchine ballet – it rises from the dead.”
Interview: Suzanne Farrell – Artistic Director
“It’s very special to dance. And it’s even more special to dance a Balanchine ballet” – Suzanne Farrell
Mariinsky Ballet – Cinderella – Washington
Ratmansky’s vision of Cinderella is bracingly fresh, and the ballet’s harsh, urban setting and grotesque choreography seem suitably attuned to Prokofiev’s darkly sardonic score. His concept, however, does not succeed completely.
Paris Opera Ballet – Giselle – Washington
With its exquisite staging, and most importantly with its understanding and respect of the Romantic ballet style, and whole-hearted dedication of the dancers to their roles, the Paris Opera Ballet demonstrated just how Giselle should be produced and performed.
Bolshoi Ballet – Coppelia – Washington
The Bolshoi’s new Coppelia was heavenly fun. Vikharev’s production brought to the fore the Russian ballet tradition of expressive pantomime and spirited ensemble dances.
Washington Ballet – Alice (in Wonderland) – Washington
With Alice, Septime Webre has a smash hit on his hands. The new ballet has broken all records for the ticket sales (all performances were sold out far in advance, including the standing tickets); and it is already the Washington Ballet’s most successful production to-date…
New York City Ballet – All American bill – Washington
Fortunately, Jerome Robbins’ West Side Story Suite, the final dance of the evening, was anything but tedious. One of the greatest entertainers in ballet, Robbins knew how to keep his audiences awake, engaged, and excited.
