TUTU 2024 - Articles Page 7

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia returns in 2020 for a 22 venue schedule (2 January - 15 March). It will be the Company's 18th UK tour and will feature exquisite performances of three of the world's most popular ballets.

Continuing a series of personal projects away from the mainstay of the Bolshoi repertoire, Svetlana Zakharova returns to the London Coliseum once more with Modanse, a chic double bill of UK premieres with high calibre support from a range of Bolshoi Principals and Soloists. Chic it may be, with opulent costumes and some original choreography but the cumulative effect lacks impact as a vehicle for the ballet superstar to shine. 

Grammy Award-winner and two-time Emmy nominee Steve Tyrell returns to Café Carlyle, May 19-30. The performances follow this month's sold out 15th anniversary shows in Café Carlyle's revered holiday slot, running tonight through New Year's Eve. His spring 2020 performances will feature favorites from the Great American Songbook including songs he has performed in major motion pictures.

ArtsEmerson continues its tradition of hosting world-class theatre pieces in Boston by presenting Isango Ensemble's production of Mozart's The Magic Flute. The troupe, comprised of 21 black South African musicians, alternates nebulously between delivering recitative, dancing ebulliently, and playing marimbas, rawhide drums, and an eclectic mix of instruments in the on-stage orchestra. Upon entering the Cutler Majestic, the fusion of cultures is jarringa?'- an exposed stage behind an opulent proscenium arch is interrupted by simple structures of distressed wood and corrugated steel panels. The (predominantly white) audience is immediately won over by the novelty of hearing Mozart's iconic overture played entirely on wooden marimbas. The expertise of the musicians in questiona?'- as percussionists, vocalists, actors, dancers, et. ala?'- is reason enough to reserve tickets, and as the novelty of hearing western music arranged on djembes and glass bottles wears off, the precision of the performances continues to impress.

The outrageous and flamboyant Jack Bartholet creates the most authentic and genuine cabaret show, Lady With a Song, using devices theatrical, flashy and absolute honesty.

Bartholet has crafted an impressive show that balances the dazzling polish of his tall matinee idol vocals with a more bare, witty, open-hearted storytelling, which he brings to bear on the tragic outcomes born of toxic masculinity, such as gun violence, in a brilliant act of what he calls Cabe-RAGE-a portmanteau of cabaret and rage of his own devising. Where his musical performances approach frozen perfection, his spoken words are more real, more honest, less of a production. The show is ambitious, daring, powerful and entertaining.

The first mixed bill of the season sees the Royal Ballet celebrate a diverse cross-section of 1960s productions - from the clean and tightly choreographed Concerto, to the luscious opulence of Raymonda Act III (so commonly seen as a standalone piece). The two are separated by some picture-perfect Ashtonian charm with Enigma Variations.

THE DANCE GALLERY FESTIVAL was founded in 2007 by Astrid Von Ussar and Mojcar Ussar as a platform to present choreographers in annual showcases in New York City and Texas. This year, there were three performances at the Ailey Citigroup Theatre, September 27, 28, and 29. I attended the September 28th performance which included twelve works. The Festival offers opportunities and community for emerging dance artists, valuable in today's dance world. Today, Astrid Von Ussar is Artistic Director and Andy Noble is Associate Artistic Director.

The Mariinsky Ballet's a?oePaquitaa?? should begin at its end. It's culminating event, the infamous Grand Pas, arrives after roughly two hours and for anyone in the Kennedy Center Opera House who doesn't know it's coming, the temptation to leave at one of two interminable intermissions is hard to resist.

Three-time Grammy Award winner and Benin-born singer Angélique Kidjo brings her intoxicating blend of West African music, American R&B, jazz, and funk to her Perspectives series throughout Carnegie Hall's 2019a?"2020 season. The highly anticipated residency takes audiences on a journey of African music and culture throughout the world including three concerts curated by Kidjo and one spectacular program featuring her as a performer.

By popular demand, Show One Productions presents the anticipated return of the world famous, all-male ballet company Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (Trocks), onstage March 7, 2020 at 8pm and March 8, 2020 at 2pm and 7pm at the Winter Garden Theatre. Following a sold-out run of shows in 2017, these sensational performances will showcase the Trocks' wickedly absurd antics and serious dancing chops a?" featuring sly send-ups of beloved ballet classics and contemporary works. Infused with a heavy dose of highbrow hilarity, this antic-laden production will offer audiences a chance to experience high-powered diva energy as the men strut their stuff in size 11 pointe shoes.

Hear the spirited sounds of South Africa in this fall's vibrant staging of Aesop's Fables by the Olivier Award-winning Isango Ensemble at The New Victory Theater from November 1 - 3, 2019. 

This Fall DO40 is saluting and celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and the 100th birthday of DO40 Advisory Board member Marge Champion. 

This Fall DO40 is saluting and celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and the 100th birthday of DO40 Advisory Board member Marge Champion. Special guests and performances from the Joseph cast include Bill Hutton (Joseph), Gordon Stanley (Jacob), Conductor David Friedman, along with Stephen McNaughton, Stephen Hope, Lorraine Barrett, Philip Carruba, Jonni Masella, Dorothy Dybisz, Katharine Buffaloe-Harris, Barry Tarallo, Michael Deane and Karen Bogan. There will be representation from the BAM production as well as Broadway. And, musical accompaniment by the always great Steven Webber.

A sexy, slinky, empowering night of Burlesque debuted at The Beechman last night, courtesy of The House Of Noire.

The Kansas City Chamber Orchestra has announced that their 33rd Season will kick off on Thursday, September 26th at Grace and Holy Trinity in downtown Kansas City. The historic downtown cathedral will be the perfect atmosphere for the season-opening program entitled a?oeNight Reflectionsa?? featuring talented guest conductor, Anthony Maglione and music ranging from Haydn to acclaimed young African American contemporary composer Jessie Montgomery. Maglione commented: a?oeI was reminded of the words of Desmund Tutu when I was preparing this concert: 'Hope is seeing that there is light despite all the darkness.'a?? He continued, a?oeIn our darkest, most bitter moments, there are opportunities to see the beauty of the world around us. Sometimes beauty appears to us as boisterous, joyous bursts of light, while other times it reveals itself in a moment of solitude or reflection. I'm delighted to present this season opener in hopes that our audience will find joy, solace, and hope through our musical offering.a??

On August 17, 2019, I attended Ballet Festival's Program D, curated by Edward Watson, principal dancer of London's Royal Ballet and a performer in this program. He was joined on stage by Sarah Lamb, principal dancer of the Royal Ballet; Robbie Fairchild, former New York City Ballet (NYCB) principal dancer; and Maria Kowroski, NYCB principal dancer. There was much anticipation; audiences were eager for what promised to be a highly memorable evening.

Will the real Evita Bezuidenhout please stand up?

Foram anunciados nesta quinta-feira, 1o de agosto, os indicados para a 7a edicao do Premio Bibi Ferreira. Sao cerca de 30 peças concorrendo em 31 categorias. Liderando as indicacoes estao os musicais As Cangaceiras, Billy Elliot e Sunset Boulevard, concorrendo em 10 categorias cada um. O premio sera entregue numa cerimonia, no final de setembro, no Teatro Renault.

Tanya Ronder's TABLE holds the secrets of the Best Family in this intriguing and inventive expression of the old adage 'if this table could talk, the stories it could tell'.

​​​​​​​At New York City's Joyce Theater this week, July 16-21, 2019, Maria Kochetkova is performing eight short pieces by seven contemporary choreographers, joined by five dancers of quality. On Wednesday, July 17th, I experienced the sold-out performance.

Grammy Award-winner and two-time Emmy nominee Steve Tyrell celebrates his 15th anniversary performing in the Cafe Carlyle's revered holiday slot with an all-new show, December 3-31. The performance will feature favorites from the Great American Songbook including songs he has performed in major motion pictures, and of course, holiday classics.

What better way to celebrate World Fringe Day on July 11th than rehearsing for your very own musicals set for the Edinburgh Fringe!

In 1981 a woman appeared out of the dressing room of the Market Theatre, stepped onto the stage and smiled. Before she even gave her name she was a legend. Mrs Evita Bezuidenhout was presented to the audience, the nation and the world. She is still going stronger than ever. No longer a recognised Nationalist as she was during those years of apartheid rule, she is now a member of the African National Congress, secure in her Luthuli House kitchen where she cooks for reconciliation. For nearly forty years she has had to tolerate the impersonation of her by a local comedian. She tried to sue him for libel; she swore never to allow him into her life and yet, now in the 25th year of her democracy, she will be on the stage with Pieter-Dirk Uys at the same time.