Two major ballet companies arrive with the same ballet; South Asian dance meets Bach in Sierra Madre; Louisa May Alcott’s four sisters onstage in Pasadena; new choreography in Lincoln Heights and Koreatown; ballet in Irvine and Beverly/Fairfax; curfew-postponed contemporary choreography downtown, summer dance festivals in West LA and downtown, more SoCal dance this week, and a peek at what’s coming next week.
Live This Week
Swan Lake #1
Two major national ballet companies arrive, both bringing the full-length Swan Lake, with a live orchestra. First up, is Miami City Ballet with its Swan Lake distinguished by choreography from internationally celebrated Alexei Ratmansky. Originally choreographed in 1895 by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, most companies retain the core attributed to Petipa and Ivanov, namely the 2nd and 3rd acts, then add their own choreography. Considered the reigning master of story ballets, Ratmansky is known for rejuvenating classics through research and a keen eye for the story. For Swan Lake, he went to historical notations and other archival material for what he describes as an “historically informed” Swan Lake. Even with multiple swans flying into town, here’s a chance to experience a master choreographer’s thoughtfully researched version. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Fri., June 20, 7:30 pm, Sat., June 21, 2 & 7:30 pm, Sun., June 22, 1 & 6 pm, $55.37-$236.17. https://www.scfta.org/
Miami City Ballet “Swan Lake” – photo by Iziliaev
Swan Lake #2
Perhaps the most popular classical ballet (vying with the Nutcracker), Swan Lake gets a second performance series, this time from Boston Ballet, and with a live orchestra. Making its first LA appearance since the 1980s, the company brings its version choreographed by artistic director Mikko Nissinsen after Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. The five performances offer a chance to see the depth of this major ballet company’s roster. Announced leads include the masterful Viktorina Kapitonova with Sangmin Lee, Ji Young Chae who pairs blistering technique with exquisite musicality with Jeffrey Cirio, and the fast-rising Chisako Oga with Yue Shi. Who is dancing at which performance was not available at press time. Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Thurs.-Fri., June 26-27, 7:30 pm, St., June 28, 1 & 7:30 pm, Sun., June 29, 2 pm, $49-$163. Boston Ballet
Boston Ballet “Swan Lake” – photo courtesy of the artists
Violin meets dance
Bach meets India’s traditional Kuchipudi dance as violinist Vijay Gupta is joined by dancer Yamini Kalluri for the one night only event, When the Violin. The mostly Bach program has Kalluri’s traditional and improvised dance combined with Gupta’s violin to interpret movements from Bach’s Sonata in G minor BWV 1001 and opens with Reena Esmail’s When the Violin that provides the evening’s title. Originally composed for choir and obigato violin, Esmaili adapted her work specifically for Gupta’s solo violin. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre; Sat., June 21, 7:30 pm, $12-$35. www.sierramadreplayhouse.org
Yamini Kalluri. Photo courtesy of the artist
Alcott onstage
After multiple immersive performances amid the Victorian homes of Heritage Square, choreographer/director Emma Andres and the dancers bring the full length version of Little Women Ballet to this historic, Tony Award-winning theater. Louise May Alcott’s beloved novel about the lives and loves of the four March sisters finds new life as a full length ballet. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena; Sat., June 21, 2 & 7 pm, Sun., June 22, 2 pm, $42-$42. Little Women-Pasadena Playhouse
Little Women Ballet. Photo by Edie Tyebkhan Photography
Curfew postponed
Postponed due to last week’s downtown curfew, choreographers Zoe Rappaport and Comfort Fedoke bring A/VOID. An eclectic ensemble of dancers who lead the audience through the ten-thousand foot light and sound installation Chromasonic Field, responding to the evolving light and sound frequencies. Chromasonic Field, 677 Imperial St., Downtown Arts District; Sat., June 21, 4 & 6 pm, Sun., June 22, 4 pm, $35-$55. Zoe Rappaport
Zoe Rappaport. Photo courtesy of the artist
Odyssey Fest #1
The summer edition of the Dance at the Odyssey festival opens with a shared concert. KAIROS Movement Collective brings its debut work, an ode to the bug, choreographed by LA-based Kaley Logan. In her Four Seasons of Hamadan, a duet for violin and dancer, choreographer Annie Kahane views Persian and Jewish dance and music traditions through a contemporary lens. Dance at the Odyssey at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Sat., June 21, 8 pm, $25, $60 festival pass. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
Kairos. Photo by Annie Kahane
Odyssey Fest #2
The second offering of summer’s Dance at the Odyssey festival is a solo The Chronic Caucasian from self-described movement artist, director and aspiring clown, Felicia St. Cyr. The choreographer turns to her last name’s historical association with war and martyrdom to explore how privilege, trauma and denial have become deeply woven into American social fabric. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Sun., June 22, 7 pm, $25, $60 festival pass. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
TRIN Dance Theatre – Photo by Nate Rynaski.
Odyssey Fest #3
More clowning starts the second week of the Dance at the Odyssey festival as TRIN Dance Theatre draws on drag and clowning for a hero’s journey in The Greatest Show on Earth. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Thurs., June 26, 8 pm, $25, $60 festival pass. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
Korean Contemporary
In cooperation with producer Deborah Brockus and the LA Dance Festival, this show offers Contemporary Dance Stories at two venues. Korean Cultural Center of LA (KCCLA), LA Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, 5505 Wilshire Blvd., Hancock Park; Thurs., June 22, 7 pm. Also at Brockus Project Black Box Theater, 618 B Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Fri.-Sat., June 23-24, 8:30 pm, $15. https://ladancefest.org/
Chengyao Zhou – photo courtesy of the artist
What will come
After matching 12 choreographers with 40 dancers for a two month residency sponsored by Deborah Brockus and her BrockusRed Dance Company, this weekend continues with the second and third of five evenings showcasing what emerged. Saturday’s choreographers are Emilio Castellon, Chorong Yang, and Chengyao Zhou. Sunday includes work by Charlotte Katherine and Jill Gregory. Both shows include contributions from established dancemakers Sean Greene, Deborah Brockus, and Mia Morea. Brockus Project Studios Black Box Theater Space, Brewery Arts Complex, 618B Moulton Ave., Lincoln Heights; Sat., June 21 & 28 (different line up), Sun., June 22 & 29 (different line up), 7 pm, $16. Zelle: 562-412-7429 ( Brockus Project Dance Company), Venmo@BrockusProjectStudios; Paypal www.BrockusProject.org.
To the pointe
The San Diego-based Pointeworks, led by artistic director Sophie Williams, gathered 14 professional ballet dancers on summer hiatus from Philadelphia Ballet, Houston Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Texas Ballet Theater, and New York City Ballet for Ballet Nights. The a mixed bill includes classical excerpts, contemporary works from Reka Gyulai, Laine Habony, and DaYoung Jung, plus Christopher Wheeldon’s pas de deux from the musical Carousel. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine; Fri., June 20, 8 pm, $28-$100. https://www.thebarclay.org/Online/default.asp
Pointeworks. Photo by Rachel Beauchamp
South Bay celebrates
Lots of local dance ensembles, music groups, and family friendly activities celebrate the South Bay in TOCApalooza at James Armstrong Theater, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance; Sat., June 21, 11 am – 5 pm, free with registration at TOCApalooza
Two for the toe shoes
The latest from American Contemporary Ballet is a shared bill with George Balanchine’s luminous Serenade and the premiere of The Euterpides with choreography by artistic director Lincoln Jones to music composed by 20-year old Alma Deutscher. Both works have live music. American Contemporary Ballet at Television City, 7800 Beverly Blvd., Stage 33, Beverly-Fairfax District; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, thru Sat., June 28, $65-$140. https://www.acbdances.com/sxiii-balanchine
American Contemporary Ballet. Photo by Will Davidson.
Summer dancing with venue/time change
The show will go on for the Music Center’s summer dance party, as Dance DTLA, opens with a venue shift and time change, acknowledging the unsettled situation continuing downtown. Instead of the Music Center Plaza, Disney Hall will host and start at 5 pm. Part performance, part participatory event, Dance DTLA opens its weekly summer season with Bollywood with Blue 13 Dance Company led by Achinta S. McDaniel and company dancers. A beginner/refresher lesson at 5 pm is followed by a chance to dance or just watch and enjoy until 10 pm. If this week is not your style, the full line up of upcoming dance options is at the website. Music Center Disney Hall, BP Hall and Blue Ribbon Garden, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown; Fri., June 20, 5 pm, free. Music Center | Dance DTLA.
Dance DTLA Bollywood. Photo courtesy of the Music Center
Coming from the fringe
Now midway through its three weeks, Hollywood Fringe Festival 2025 takes to various venues within a short radius, with performances that include dance and dance-influenced physical theater. Many of the performers are scheduled for multiple performances at different times on different days. The long list of performers, venues, days and times are at the website, and allows for a search that links to “dance/physical theater.” Various venues in Hollywood; thru Sun., June 29, various times. Hollywood Fringe Dance & Physical Theater
Shakespeare moves
Adapter, director and choreographer John Farmanesh–Bocca returns with Lear Redux: A Quantum Fantasia, the latest in his “Redux” series boldly reconsidering the classics. The event also reunites him with choreographic collaborators Not Man Apart-Physical Theatre Ensemble along with New American Theatre and the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble. Jack Stehlin tackles the part of King Lear, surrounded by Eve Danzeisen, Dennis Gersten, Dash Pepin, Jade Sealey, Ahkei Togun, and Emily Yetter. The Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., WLA; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm, Wed. June 25, 8 pm, thru Sun., July 13, $20-$43. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
LA Opera’s “Rigoletto” – Photo by Kyle Flubacker.
Dancers and clowns
When the LA Opera opened Verdi’s Rigoletto last week for six Music Center performances, it more closely resembled the 2023 Atlanta Opera production than the original 2019 and 2022 performances in Houston and Dallas, Texas, all directed by Tomer Zvulun. After the Texas shows, the director Zvulun tasked Atlanta-based choreographer Ricardo Aponte with lightening the dark tale of lust, revenge, and privileged cruelty with dancers and clowns. In addition to the dance moves, Aponte’s assignment included choreographing banana juggling into the opera. Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown; Sat., June 21, 7:30 pm. $37.50-$450. https://laopera.org/performances/2025/rigoletto
A Peek at Next Week (June 27-July 3)
Rangoli Dance Company – Moksha 40th Anniversary at Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; Sat., June 28, 7 pm, $25 presale, $30 at door. Rangoli 40th Anniversary
Rosanna Gamson/WorldWide – Sugar Houses at Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre; Sat,-Sun., June 28-29, 7:30 pm, $12-$35. Sugar Houses
Rosanna Gamson/WorldWide. Photo by Rebecca Green
Nastia Yavorski and ABSOLEM Dance Theatre – Bang! The Most patriotic Show in the History of the United States of America at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Fri., June 27, 8 pm, $25, $60 festival pass. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
Victoria Marks – A Dear Walks Into a Dance at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA; Sun., June 29, 5 pm, $25, $60 festival pass. Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
Volta Collective – Loneliness Triptych at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery, 925 N. Orange Dr., Hollywood; Fri., June 27, 7:30 & 8:30 pm, free. Volta Collective
Tamagusuku Ryu Kansen Atae no Kai (formerly Kansenkai) – Kansen nu Michi Tirashi (Lighting the Path for Future Generations) at James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance; Sat., June 28, 2-5 pm, $45. $40 students. https://kansen.live/tickets
Featured photo: Miami City Ballet “Swan Lake.” Photo by Iziliaev
Ann Haskins’ Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
