This article originally appeared in the Culture section of Bloomberg News on February 26, 2009. Dancers Eddie Taketa, left, and Natalie Desch perform in "Alchemy," choreographed by Doug Varone, on Feb. 1, 2008. The dance piece, with music by Steve Reich, is being performed at New York's Joyce Theater through March 1. Photographer: Phil Knott via Bloomberg News Feb. 26 (Bloomberg) -- A delicately built woman with boyish curly hair stands before a backdrop suggesting a prison of impermeable rock. Her head remains unbowed, her fingers … [Read more...]

New York City Ballet: Revival of Balanchine's Swan Lake / David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, NYC / February 12, 2009 Wendy Whelan of New York City Ballet in Balanchine's Swan Lake. Photo by Paul Kolnik. Wendy Whelan was magnificent as Odette. Her many admirers over her long career know that she was born to dance the quirkier, more angular roles in the modern ballet repertory--because of anatomy and perhaps temperament. As time passed, she grew softer and registered more emotion (very delicately). But her Odette is a triumph because she … [Read more...]