Elizabeth Streb's "Brave' at Annenberg (2nd review)

The fear factor

Streb is a dance company that's more about physicality than dance. The choreography aspect simply means the movements have been staged so no one gets hurt. The drama lies in the chance that someone might.

Janet Anderson

Feb 09, 2010 · Articles · 5 minute read

Elizabeth Streb's "Brave' at Annenberg (1st review)

The Evel Knievel of dance (but is it dance?)

Elizabeth Streb's take on dance and space has added danger, experimentation and a fascination with things mechanical that can propel the body beyond what it can achieve on its own, but not much in the way of dance moves.

Merilyn Jackson

Feb 06, 2010 · Articles · 4 minute read

Dancing for his life in Rwanda

Rwanda's dancing orphans— the sequel: One boy who fell through the cracks

Eighteen months ago I had the rare privilege of teaching dance to a unique group of orphans victimized by the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. When I returned last month I discovered that the sponsoring group has folded, the safe house is gone, and these kids are back on the streets of Kigali. The solution to their problem is costly by African standards— and piddling by ours.

Rebecca Davis

Jan 05, 2010 · Articles · 4 minute read

Alex Ketley: A choreographer's failure

The itinerant choreographer: What seeds does he plant?

The itinerant choreographer Alex Ketley rolled into town, created something beautiful, and then swept it away into dust. What community does his art create?

Jim Rutter

Dec 19, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

Pennsylvania Ballet's "The Nutcracker'

Once more into the land of Candy Canes and Dew Drops

Anyone can stage a Nutcracker performance. But only the Pennsylvania Ballet and two other companies are authorized to perform the Balanchine version. It's still the ideal antidote for the darkest weeks of the year.

Janet Anderson

Dec 15, 2009 · Articles · 5 minute read

BalletX Fall Series: Three premieres

A mixed bag from BalletX

Of the three premieres offered by BalletX, Alex Ketley's mesmerizing Silt spoke volumes about the human condition. Meredith Rainey's tedious They Break felt like a walk through a museum; and Matthew Neenan's lighthearted Last of the Year left the audience laughing.

Dec 01, 2009 · Articles · 5 minute read

Philadanco's 40th anniversary

A night of happy heinies

Philadanco's 40th anniversary show made for a night of happy heinies”“ one of creation's cutest assets. Three of the four works on the program featured swaying, vibrating and bumpin' butts. Even the company's 77-year-old matriarch, Joan Myers Brown, gave her shapely rear a shake.

Merilyn Jackson

Nov 24, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Fraulein Maria' by Doug Elkins (3rd review)

How do you solve a problem like the Nazis? (Well, you could try ignoring them)

With Fräulein Maria, choreographer Doug Elkins purports to radically deconstruct The Sound of Music. But how radical is it, really?

Judy Weightman

Nov 17, 2009 · Articles · 3 minute read

"Fraulein Maria' by Doug Elkins (2nd review)

A hip-hop Sound of Music

Fraulein Maria is more than a terrific dance presentation; it's great theater as well. Choreographer Doug Elkins has achieved something truly unique by combining an iconic old musical with today's street movement and pure sass.

Janet Anderson

Nov 17, 2009 · Articles · 4 minute read

"Fraulein Maria' by Doug Elkins (1st review)

How do you solve a problem like Maria? Or: Why didn't the nuns think of this?

When is a parody better than the original? When it's choreographer Doug Elkins spoofing The Sound of Music. His Fraulein Maria lets the movements of his gay, Asian and male Marias speak for itself.

Merilyn Jackson

Nov 14, 2009 · Articles · 2 minute read