Arizona: The new global ballet crossroads

One more reason to move to Arizona

To retired Americans with creaky joints, Arizona beckons with its warm temperatures and dry air. To up-and-coming dancers from places like Poland, Albania and Taiwan, increasingly, Arizona has become a magnet for cutting-edge ballet. Who knew?

Merilyn Jackson

Mar 10, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

Pennsylvania Ballet's "Messiah' (1st review)

Easter special

Robert Weiss's Messiah may be a Bible-based ballet, but it offers the physical strength and highly charged interactions of real theater.

Janet Anderson

Mar 10, 2012 · Articles · 2 minute read

Jasperse's "Fort Blossom revisited' at Bryn Mawr

Turning the tables on the ‘male gaze'

In his newest work, John Jasperse challenges conventional taboos with the help of four dancers— two graceful nude males and two fully clothed female dancers sporting backpacks. Ultimately, Fort Blossom revisited re-examines the arbitrary nature of the clothed body— what's hidden from us.

Jonathan M. Stein

Feb 28, 2012 · Articles · 4 minute read

2011 highlights: Critic's choice

Theater or dance— who cares?

Even a dance critic can't help stumbling into the theater now and then— especially since so many plays these days seem to be about dance. Here are a few of my serendipitous highlights of the past year.

Merilyn Jackson

Jan 08, 2012 · Articles · 3 minute read

Critic's choice: Dance highlights of 2011

A year of dancers who think for themselves

Even with a six-month toothache, I took in countless wonderful dance performances in 2011. The programs I mention here especially stand out for the way they caught me by surprise and often left me flustered and panting for more.

Merilyn Jackson

Jan 08, 2012 · Articles · 5 minute read

A four-year-old's "Nutcracker' (2nd comment)

Fear of mice, conquered

Our granddaughter was not quite three when we introduced her to The Nutcracker. Last week we brought her back for a second helping. Anyone interested in early childhood development may well ask: What was different this time around?

Dan Rottenberg

Dec 27, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Pennsylvania Ballet's "Nutcracker' (1st review)

Even Scrooge's heart would melt

Once again, Pennsylvania Ballet trotted out a new corps of sugar plum fairies and little angels in what's become a Christmas tradition for the whole Philadelphia metropolitan region.

Janet Anderson

Dec 20, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

Compagnie Marie Chouinard at Annenberg

Chopin and Stravinsky confront an alien universe

Marie Chouinard's expressive aggressiveness may be a dated dance genre, but her sheer power propelled her audience into either a future or a past that reminded us that perhaps our present isn't all that bad.

Jonathan M. Stein

Dec 13, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

When choreographers talk (too much)

Here's what I meant to say…..

Why do choreographers engage in post-performance talkbacks to explain what they were trying to say? Why don't they let the artwork speak for itself?

Jim Rutter

Dec 05, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read

KÓ¹lÓº Mèlé's "Sacred Journeys' at the Painted

African roots: The real deal

KÓ¹lÓº Mèlé is no mere group of well-meaning ethnics performing to amuse themselves and their audience; it invites us into the infectious beauty, mystery and glamour of the true African aesthetic— which is a long way from tap dancing and shuffling.

Janet Anderson

Nov 29, 2011 · Articles · 3 minute read