Pennsylvania Ballet's "Dracula'

In this production of Dracula, the anemic Transylvanian count isn’t the only character who needs a transfusion. But whatever the deficiencies in Ben Stevenson’s choreography, they were lost on the audience, which lapped up this performance like vampires in a blood bank.

Dracula. Ballet choreographed by Ben Stevenson. Pennsylvania Ballet production through November 3, 2007 at Academy of Music, Broad and Locust Sts. (215) 551.7000 or

Lewis Whittington

Oct 30, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

Pennsylvania Ballet's "Company B'

This is a transitional time for Pennsylvania Ballet, but artistic director Roy Kaiser isn’t hedging any bets in challenging his new dancers or making roster changes in his seasoned corps. Matt Neenan’s still unpredictable As It’s Going will eventually emerge as one of his strongest works.

“Company B.” Pennsylvania Ballet production October 10-14, 2007 at Merriam Theater, Broad St. above Spruce. (215) 551-7000 or

Lewis Whittington

Oct 13, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Wandering Alice' at Fringe Festival.

This fantasy trip with dance and music, based on Alice in Wonderland, received a single tryout performance at the 2007 Fringe Festival. It’s imaginative, superbly executed and blissfully illogical.

Wandering Alice. Choreographer and director: Nichole Canuso. Writer/Co-Director: Suli Holum. Sound Design/Music Composition: James Sugg and Mike Kiley. Nichole Canuso Dance Company production, Septem

Steve Cohen

Sep 25, 2007 · Articles · 2 minute read

Merián Soto/Performance Practice at Christ Church

Even with its many engrossing passages, this movement meditation—first tried out a year ago— still looked sketchy rather than contemplative.

“States of Gravity and Light #2” and “Balancing Acts.” Merián Soto/Performance Practice. August 31, 2007 at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American St. www.pepatian.org/programsMSDP.html.

Lewis Whittington

Sep 04, 2007 · Articles · 1 minute read

Venice Contemporary Dance Festival

The Japanese and Austrian companies I observed at the Venice festival— and, for that matter, everyone else in the beautifully printed but intellectually dense festival book— ran amok in their quest to elucidate and titillate. We in the U.S. have already been there/done that.

Shoku, performed by Batik; Art of Seduction: Posing Project, Part B, performed by Liquid Loft. International Festival of Contemporary Dance. June 14-30, 2007 at

Lesley Valdes

Jul 28, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

Royal Ballet's "Swan Lake'

Anthony Dowell‘s production of Swan Lake proved the more cohesive of this month’s two Royal Ballet productions. Dowell orchestrates four brilliantly structured acts, lavishly full of iconic images, displaying the Royal Ballet’s mastery of narrative balletic storytelling.

Swan Lake. Royal Ballet production July 12, 2007 at The Mann Center, Fairmount Park. (215) 893-1999 or www.manncenter.org

Lewis Whittington

Jul 17, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

Royal Ballet's "Romeo and Juliet'

The Royal Ballet’s production of Kenneth MacMillan’s Romeo and Juliet travels so well that even handling last-minute flight delays and a heat wave on the final stop of its tour couldn’t dent the glorious classicism onstage.

Romeo and Juliet. Royal Ballet production July 10, 2007 at The Mann Center, Fairmount Park. 893-1999 or www.manncenter.org.

Lewis Whittington

Jul 17, 2007 · Articles · 4 minute read

Rennie Harris Retrospective at Perelman

Hip-hop and rap culture may or may not be racist and misogynist. But by constantly pushing its envelope, Rennie Harris demonstrates the best possibilities of this constantly evolving idiom.

Rennie Harris Puremovement: 15-Year Retrospective. June 18-20, 2007 at Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce Sts. (215) 893-1999 or www.kimmelcenter.org.

Lewis Whittington

Jun 30, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

Leah Stein's 'Gate'

Site choreographer Leah Stein’s Gate, performed at Eastern State Penitentiary, is not only a riveting movement drama; it’s allegorically stunning.

Gate. Leah Stein Dance Company June 8-17, 2007 at Eastern State Penitentiary. 215) 438-2688 or www.leahsteindance.org.

Lewis Whittington

Jun 30, 2007 · Articles · 1 minute read

Ballet X at Wilma's DanceBoom!

As usual, DanceBOOM! pleases and confounds, depending on your personal taste. But it continues to establish an aesthetically relaxed and accessible festival environment— a key ingredient for artists and audiences.

Ballet X. DanceBoom! Festival through June 16, 2007 at Wilma Theater, 265 S. Broad St. (at Spruce). (215) 546-7824 or
/www.wilmatheater.org.

Lewis Whittington

Jun 30, 2007 · Articles · 2 minute read