Barnett Serchuk

BWW Interviews: A Conversation with Zekai Fenerci of RENEGADE, Germany's Premier Hip Hop Dance Company
June 12, 2013

RENEGADE (under the umbrella of the Pottporus Association) realizes free dance theater productions with national and international partners, dancers, choreographers and cultural institutions - with a focus on street art. The hallmark of Renegade Productions is the equal combination of different dance styles and the influence of the artistic elements of street art (graffiti, breakdancing) and takes this principle nationally and internationally acclaimed. Renegade was awarded the main prize at the theater forced NRW 2004, the Herald Angel 2004, the Guardian's Best Physical Theatre and the Fringe First Award 2004. Recently, Renegade was invited to the Germany Dance Platform 2012 in Dresden, presenting one of the 10 best dance German productions.

Bww Reviews: Ballet in Cinema From Emerging Pictures Presents ROMEO AND JULIET

June 10, 2013

The Bolshoi's production of Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet is, in the words of Rodgers and Hammerstein, 'A Puzzlement.' Big, sprawling, clashing swords, crying on the floor, it just fails to come to life.

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BWW Reviews: American Ballet Theatre's Triple Bill
May 28, 2013

I was looking forward to American Ballet Theater's triple bill on May 21 with anticipation, because I had seen one of the ballets, Frederick Ashton's A Month in the County, years ago, and always held it in warm esteem. I remembered how moved I was as the curtain fell on the dancer (was it Lynn Seymour?) portraying the heroine, Natalia Petrovna, alone on the stage with nothing but a loveless and frustrating future awaiting her.

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BWW Reviews: John Cranko's ONEGIN at American Ballet Theatre
May 20, 2013

John Cranko's Onegin was recently presented by American Ballet Theatre. As I expected, the reviews weren't great. It seems Cranko never commands much respect over here. The reviews all describe the work in the same way: empty, boring, sleep-inducing. But I don't agree. Sure, the ballet could be shortened, but aren't there many ballets like that. One thing it does offer: wonderful acting parts for dancers.

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BWW Remembers: Frederick Franklin, June 13, 1914 - May 4, 2013
May 7, 2013

It is with great sadness that we report Frederick Franklin's death at age 98. One of the most elegant, charming and seemingly versatile male ballet stars of the 20th century, and into the 21st, Franklin brought real class to whatever he was performing. He danced with almost every major ballerina, and had works choreographed for him by Balanchine, Massine and de Mille, among a host of others.

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BWW Reviews: Ballet in Cinema from Emerging Pictures Presents ESMERALDA
April 25, 2013

Being a student of history is enlightening. You can learn about so many new things that may, or may not, be of interest .I felt that way about Esmeralda. I've heard about it. I know there's an Esmeralda variation that's sometimes done at competitions. But it's gone beneath my radar. So, with a great deal of trepidation, I went to see the Ballet in Cinema from Emerging Pictures film on April 22. After watching the performance, transmitted from the Bolshoi Ballet, in what is billed as a new production, I can understand the reason for the ballet's infrequent showings.

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BWW Reviews: Juilliard Dances Repertory
April 16, 2013

The Juilliard School presented an interesting program on the afternoon of April 7, 2013, at the Peter Jay Sharp Theatre. Before I even start my review , I want to extend my congratulations to Lawrence Rhodes, the Juilliard Artistic Director, for his commitment and dedication in producing, what is in my mind, some of the best graduate dancers I have ever seen-and I've seen many of them over the years. These dancers are what we need in our artistic venues, whether as performers, or, as I hope, future administrators, teachers and choreographers. Time will tell. My only problem: will there be enough places for the dancers when they graduate? I hope so. When you scrutinize highly gifted college artists, you want them to exit, blazing and seething with their talent, ready to change the artistic world around them. By their ardor and enthusiasm, they only help to reinforce our country's need for greater commitment to the arts, which is sorely lacking and much needed. Mr. Rhodes, keep up the splendid work. I'm always watching your dancers.

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BWW Remembers: Maria Tallchief--January 24, 1925 - April 11, 2013
April 13, 2013

Maria Tallchief, the first Native American to win acclaim as a prima ballerina, passed away on April 11, 2013. While she worked with many companies and choreographers, she is most renowned for her collaboration with George Balanchine, first at The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and then, most importantly and famously, at the New York City Ballet. She was married to Balanchine from 1946 until 1952 when the marriage was annulled. Despite this interruption in their private lives they continued their professional association.

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