Saturday’s Gala at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center had a relaxed, laid-back feel that matched the hot, humid evening, but the outdoor setting and sticky weather didn’t stop the crowds from dressing up for the occasion. Nor was the event lacking in star power: Rita Moreno, who played “Anita” in the film version of [...]

(Tom Gold and a stampede of brides in Makin’ Whoopee! from Susan Stroman’s Double Feature) Thursday evening’s Double Feature, a full-length production choreographed by Susan Stroman, was much more fun that I had anticipated. It was also surprisingly charming and inventive. The piece was a tribute to silent films, with the first half - [...]

Rachel Rutherford and Craig Hall in N.Y. Export: Opus Jazz, photo by Paul Kolnik The Jerome Robbins Celebration is well underway at NYCB, now in its fourth week of the spring season.  Although I’ve already seen several Robbins ballets since the start of the season, Wednesday evening’s “Baroque to Jazz” program was the first one that [...]

Wendy Whelan in costume for Opus 19/The Dreamer photo by Josef Astor, Dance Magazine, March 2003 Wednesday evening’s program at the New York State Theater was a quadruple bill of works by Jerome Robbins with music by three Russian composers. With the exception of the not-so-memorable Andantino, the opening duet that was performed delicately by Megan [...]

Albert Evans, Rebecca Krohn, Jonathan Stafford, and Rachel Rutherford in Russian Seasons (photo by John Ross) Every season, the artistic staff at New York City Ballet has the daunting task of creating a variety of programs that will attract audiences, show variety and breadth - choreographically, musically, and thematically - and will offer the dancers room to [...]