Where does master ballet choreographer Alexei Ratmansky get his inspiration from? In a fascinating conversation with writer Hanna Rubin in Dance Magazine‘s March issue, he spoke about what drew him to create his two latest ballets: The Fairy’s Kiss, which recently premiered at Miami City Ballet, and Whipped Cream, which American Ballet Theatre debuts next […]
On October 18, Wendy Whelan will give her last performance as a New York City Ballet principal. The occasion alone is enough to make this night easily top my list of must-see performances this fall. But it gets even better: It’s been announced that Alexei Ratmansky and Christopher Wheeldon are co-choreographing a piece for the […]
American Ballet Theatre is having a good day. Each May, the Benois de la Dance Awards recognize an extraordinary choreographer, select male and female dancers and a lifetime achievement recipient in a star-studded gala at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. This year, three of the four awards, from a group of 18 nominees, went to […]
Mentors are invaluable in dance: The right guide can help a young dancer or choreographer discover aspects of their artistry they’d never even considered. Twenty-three-year-old San Francisco Ballet corps member and rising choreographer Myles Thatcher has just won the mentorship of a lifetime: Choreographer Alexei Ratmansky selected him to be his protégé through the 2014-2015 […]
How does Alexei Ratmansky keep up with all of his commissions? We’re beginning to think that he has a secret clone. Let’s see: thus far in 2012, he’s made Symphonic Dances for Miami City Ballet, Firebird for American Ballet Theatre, and, running now in Denmark, Golden Cockerel for Royal Danish Ballet, which is by all […]
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Toronto, Canada November 16–27, 2011 Performances reviewed: Nov. 26, matinee & evening If you go to this new Romeo and Juliet expecting to see your favorite moments, like The First Kiss, or Lady Capulet going crazy over Tybalt’s death, you won’t find them. There’s no big swooping cape […]
Her career soaring at Miami City Ballet, Taylor Naturkas has ridden on the wings of fabled creatures for her latest successes. After Naturkas performed the titular role in the Balanchine/Robbins Firebird last February, artistic director Lourdes Lopez promoted her to principal soloist. Two months later, Naturkas debuted as Odette/Odile in Alexei Ratmansky’s Swan Lake. This fall she’s ready for a deeper dive into Balanchine’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, after her spring guest appearance in this work with New York City Ballet.
Creative costumes are like moving sculptures, seamlessly blending with sets and lighting to help dancers and choreographers bring another world to life onstage. But they can bring challenges, too. Physical therapist Giovanna Salerno, PT, DPT, OCS, says that she’s worked with several patients whose ailments can be traced to costumes. “You’re having to perform and […]