New York City Ballet
"Coppélia"
New York City Ballet
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
May 25, 2018
Though New York City Ballet is renowned for its one-act plotless ballets, it is exceptionally satisfying to watch a character (and a dancer) develop and change over several acts, as Tiler Peck and Joaquin De Luz showed in their magnificent "Coppélia". Story ballets also give dancers a chance to show that ballet is richer than a collection of steps and
American Ballet Theatre
"Harlequinade", "Praedicere", "AfterRite"
American Ballet Theatre
Metropolitan Opera House
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
May 21, 2018
ABT's Spring Gala included three premieres, two of coming attractions ("AfterRite" and excerpts from "Harlequin- ade") and one gala special (tap dancer Michelle Dorrance's "Praedicere"). "Harlequinade" is a reconstruction by Alexei Ratmansky of Petipa's 1900 ballet, based on the Stepanov notations now owned by Harvard, so it is technically not a premiere, but the Petipa version was last
American Ballet Theatre
"Giselle"
American Ballet Theatre
Metropolitan Opera House
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
May 17, 2018
ABT's Giselle Week hooped along with a fine and moving, if not always technically perfect, performance by Stella Abrera and Cory Sterns, supported by an impressive debut by Katherine Williams as Myrta, a haunting mime scene by Nancy Raffa, and a sparkling and elegant peasant pas de deux by Skylar Brandt and Joseph Gorak.
Abrera's Act I Giselle was fresh and
American Ballet Theatre
"Giselle"
American Ballet Theatre
Metropolitan Opera House
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
May 16, 2018, matinee
ABT has a solid version of the Romantic classic "Giselle", with beautiful, traditional designs which, even if the first grape was harvested in 1987, look vivid and fresh. Though some of the stage business could be rethought (Bathilde's nose now almost scrapes the sky, eliminating the sad irony of the two girls sharing their love stories, and why, if all
"The Unsung", "The Body is a House Without Walls", "Querida Herida", "Missa Brevis"
Limón Dance Company
Joyce Theater
New York, New York
May 10, 2018
The Limón Dance Company opened its New York season with a program bookended by two powerful works by José Limón supporting two newer works, both of which sported interesting designs, committed dancers, and somewhat meandering choreography, which put Limón's focused, structured works into sharp relief.
Limón's "The Unsung" from 1970 is a memorial
New York City Ballet
"The Four Seasons", "Circus Polka", "Easy", "A Suite of Dances", "Something to Dance About"
New York City Ballet
David H. Koch Theater
New York, New York
May 3, 2018
New York City Ballet's Spring gala celebrated Jerome Robbins' 100 birthday with three of his works, a premiere by Justin Peck, and a lavish compilation of Robbins' Broadway choreography. Maria Kowroski introduced the evening with a gracious speech and reminded the audience that she is the
"Charm", "Rapid Oxidation", "Shanti"
Tom Gold Dance
The Kay Playhouse at Hunter College
New York, New York
April 10, 2018
Tom Gold, a former soloist with the New York City Ballet, celebrated the tenth year of his chamber company with a brief New York season showing three of his works, including one premiere, "Rapid Oxidation". As a dancer, Gold was noted for his outgoing, engaging personality and his scrupulous but never flashy technique and he has brought these gifts, along
Paul Taylor Dance Company
"Dances of Isadora", "The Beauty in Gray", "Piazzolla Caldera"
Paul Taylor American Modern Dance
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
March 21, 2018
With recorded music and a solo piano on the program, the orchestra got the snowy evening off, though most of the audience, buoyed by a $10 snowstorm special, braved the weather and responded enthusiastically. The program ranged from Isadora Duncan to Bryan Arias' 2018 "The Beauty in Gray", and also included
Paul Taylor Dance Company
"Aureole", "Changes", "Eventide", "Piazzolla Caldera"
Paul Taylor Dance Company
David H. Koch Theater
New York, New York
March 17, 2018, matinee
The generously programmed matinee had four substantial pieces, from the breakthrough "Aureole" (1962) to the more recent "Changes" (2008), in addition to two powerful works from 1997, "Eventide" and "Piazzolla Caldera". While "Changes", to songs by the Mamas and the Papas, was enthusiastic, the earlier works were richer and more imaginative, showing Taylor's magnificent ability to evoke mood
"Poem", "Moods", "Sweet in the Morning", "Preludes", "Dreams"
Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble
The Mark O'Donnell Theater
Brooklyn, New York
March 8, 2018.
Anna Sokolow was a modern dance pioneer whose works, while abstract, are richly theatrical, dealing with both human emotions and broader social themes. Her legacy has been valiantly carried on by Director Jim May and the recently appointed Artistic Director Samantha Géracht, both former Sokolow dancers. The program, subtitled "Moods and Dreams"
Paul Taylor Dance Company
"Arden Court", "Banquet of Vultures", "Promethean Fire"
Paul Taylor Dance Company
David H. Koch Theater
Lincoln Center
New York, New York
March 6, 2018
The three dances performed on the Paul Taylor Dance Company's opening night, which thanks to $5 tickets and an outstanding program, was packed, had various views of light. "Arden Court", from 1981, showed Taylor at his sunniest, "Banquet of Vultures" (2006) with its candles piercing the darkness, shown a clear and uncompromising light on despair,
New York City Ballet
"Romeo + Juliet"
New York City Ballet
David H. Koch Theater
New York, New York
February 21, 2018.
Like Tchaikovsky's final act music for "Swan Lake" Prokofiev's score for "Romeo and Juliet" has protected a number of choreographers by providing a rich emotional resonance no matter how lame the choreography. Fortunately for Peter Martins' "Romeo + Juliet" the balcony scene and suicide music always wraps the audience around the drama and his ballet, despite its repetitive, hyperactive steps and bizarre