On Stage: Another “Nut”-ty Year…

The Clowns. Photos: Rich Sofranko

Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre took to the floorboards in the latest edition of Terrance Orr’s “Nutcracker.” The company has a lot of depth and confidence right now, enough to see it through the entire run. Read about it at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Yoshiaki Nakano flying high as Mr. McTavish.

Dance Beat: Holiday Studio News

A HOLIDAY PACKAGE. Wexford Dance Academy’s Kate Gardinier just finished touring the Southeast with the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular as Clara. She touched down in West Palm Beach, Atlanta and Tamps. Catch up on her blog at pittsburghclara.

NYC. Elva Scapes’ Ballet Baroque is heading for Carnegie Hall in New York Jan. 18 to participate in a program sponsored by Performing Arts Educators. For more info, call Elva at 412-366-0726.

GIFTS OF DANCE. Congrats to Dance Workshop by Shari, which celebrated its 10th annual “Gifts of Dance” Benefit Performance this past weekend at Baldwin High School Auditorium. The studio has raised over $85,000 for various charitable organizations over the years.

 

Dance Beat: Freddie, Our Dance Love

Shari Little

Recently I have been steeped in dance history, so satisfying because of the wonderful outcome we are currently experiencing. Here is the first installment of three: Dr. Freddie Fu. I have been aware of his importance to Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, of course. But his 30th anniversary with the company revealed much, much more. Some of it I have experienced, having been there for Shari Little’s dramatic injury and Tamar Rachelle’s determined response to a knee injury. But Dr. Fu has a mainstay in the company’s development and his staff revealed a lot about the development of dance medicine, where Dr. Fu was a national pioneer. Read about it in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and enjoy additional archival photos of Shari and Tamar.

Tamar Rachelle and Steven Annegarn in “Romeo and Juliet.”