Pennsylvania Ballet's 'Giselle'

Classical ballet fans who attended the opening night of Pennsylvania Ballet’s Giselle will be able to say that they were there the night a ballet star— the electrifying Gabriella Yudenich— was born. Another new soloist, Sergio Torrado, stalked the stage like a panther.

Giselle. Pennsylvania Ballet production through February 10, 2007 at Merriam Theater, 250 S. Broad St. (at Spruce). 215 339 2000 or

Lewis Whittington

Feb 13, 2007 · Articles · 3 minute read

DanceBrazil at Annenberg

Desafio, Jelon Viera’s study of human conflict and bonds, features some really pissed-off-looking dancers circling each other and stepping into the dance arena, with furious movement results.

DanceBrazil. February 1, 2007, at Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. (215) 898-3900 or www.pennpresents.org.

Lewis Whittington

Feb 06, 2007 · Articles · 1 minute read

Richard Alston Dance Company

This is no pretty dance display; it’s diamond-hard post-Balanchine modernism. And many in the audience found it exhausting.

Richard Alston Dance Company. Presented January 18, 2007, by Dance Celebration, at Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. (215) 636-9000 or www.dancecelebration.org.

Lewis Whittington

Jan 20, 2007 · Articles · 2 minute read

Pennsylvania Ballet's 'Nutcracker'

Balanchine’s technical requirement for every level of dancer comes into play here. The Pennsylvania Ballet’s production more than covers its bases on this score, even though technically this pageant usually ranges all over the place, and that was certainly true in the performance I saw.

The Nutcracker. Ballet by George Balanchine; music by Tchaikovsky. Pennsylvania Ballet production through December 31, 2006 at Academy of Music, Broad and Spruce Sts. 215.551.7000

Lewis Whittington

Dec 30, 2006 · Articles · 4 minute read

Philadanco at Perelman Theater

Philadanco, aka “Philadelphia’s other classic dance company,” is stronger than ever, with several new principals. This concert displayed plenty of range and fire. Plenty of audience appreciation, too.

Philadelphia Dance Co. (Philadanco). Nov. 19, 2006, at Perelman Theater, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce Sts. 215-387-8200 or www.philadanco.org.

Lewis Whittington

Dec 09, 2006 · Articles · 2 minute read

Grands Ballets Canadiens at Annenberg

Under the new artistic directorship of the Macedonian Gradimir Pankov, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens put on a brave tour show, danced with conviction without displaying individual strengths, personalities or even the company’s choreographic variety.

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal. November 18, 2006 at Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 3680 Walnut St. (215) 898-6701 or www.pennpresents.org.

Lewis Whittington

Nov 22, 2006 · Articles · 2 minute read

'42nd Street' at the Walnut (2nd review)

Even with its oozing schmaltz, stale plot and (in this Philadelphia production) dicey production values and uneven cast, Walnut Street Theatre’s staging of the late director-choreographer Gower Champion’s 42nd Street has plenty going for it— most notably a half-dozen superb dancers.

Forty-Second Street. Music by Harry Warren; lyrics by Al Dubin; book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble. Directed by Charles Abbott; choreographed by Mary Jane Ho

Lewis Whittington

Nov 17, 2006 · Articles · 2 minute read

World Dance performances

Three World Dance troupes offer, respectively, electricity, metaphysical reflection and a polished, unfussy tango showcase.

Lewis Whittington

Nov 07, 2006 · Articles · 5 minute read

Paul Taylor Dance Co. at Annenberg

Paul Taylor, one of the architects of the post-modern movement, kicked off Dance Celebration’s 25th season with a program that demonstrated the full range of his 50 years of dance-making.

Paul Taylor Dance Company. Presented October 19, 2006 by Dance Celebration at Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St. (215) 636-9000 or www.dancecelebration.org.

Lewis Whittington

Oct 24, 2006 · Articles · 2 minute read

Pennsylvania Ballet's Jerome Robbins program

It’s a new season for the Pennsylvania Ballet, and you know what that means: Reliable favorites from Jerome Robbins, reliably performed.

Romance & Revelry: An Evening of Dance by Jerome Robbins. Pennsylvania Ballet Oct. 11-15, 2006, at Academy of Music. www.paballet.org.

Lewis Whittington

Oct 16, 2006 · Articles · 4 minute read