Month: March 2023

BalletX: Challenging Uniformity

Philadelphia’s BalletX gives ballet a bold and contemporary style that strives to expand the vocabulary of classical dance. On March 28, 2023, The Lincoln Center is inviting the community to emerge themselves in the performing art world of ballet. 

Since 2005, when BalletX was founded by Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan, the company has produced over 100 world premieres by nearly 60 choreographers. When Cox and Neenan formed BalletX they had the future of dance on their mind. “If you don’t think about the future of something, it doesn’t have the opportunity to grow. Ballet often looks backwards but we wanted to look at the future,” explained Cox to Discover Philadelphia. 

The dancers and choreographers of BalletX seek to create a new language of dance through incorporating classical ballet technique with modern dance movement. The choreographers encourage their dancers to learn new ways to move while also communicating their stories and their voices through their movement. “I get tons of ideas from the vessel. Once you meet the dancers and see how they move it’s like my mind wraps around their talent and their gift,” says Darrell Grand Moulterie, one of the world’s most sought after choreographers and BalletX collaborator. 

BalletX also stands apart other companies because they challenge classical ballet’s stress on uniformity by emphasizing diversity. “Everybody here is very different. Everybody comes from different backgrounds, different careers, different training and different ways they came about dance. I think you see that a lot in their dancing,” said dancer Andrea Yorita (LA Times).

BalletX works to break barriers in the dance community through their messages, dancers and choreographers. Under Cox’s leadership, BalletX continues to thrive and has been established as a powerhouse in the performing arts industry. The resident company commitment to changing the status quo has made lasting impacts on communities across the country. 

On March 28, 2023, BalletX will be bringing their creativity and innovation across The Lincoln Center stage. Spend your evening watching the danceompany that is “among America’s best” (The New York Times) perform new works with unparallelled athleticism and passion.  

Daily Chronicles: The Beauty of Everyday Life

Daily Chronicles focuses on the beauty and simplicity of everyday life and features the work of Andrew DeCaen, Morgan Ford Willingham, Teddi Parker and Whitney Sage. See the exhibit March 9–April 15 in The Lincoln Center Art Gallery and join us for an Opening Reception on Friday, March 10, 5:30–7:00 p.m.

The included artwork by these four artists guides the visitor through a seemingly mundane narrative, in a way that stirs intrigue. Whether that is through color, scale or media, each of the four artists transforms an ordinary situation into a thought-provoking opportunity to draw attention to and appreciate one’s surroundings.

Included artists:

Andrew DeCaen of Denton, TX uses drawing, printmaking and sculpture to examine rituals and habits surrounding the space, time and manner in which we eat, prepare and acquire our meals.

Teddi Parker of Fort Collins, CO has been exploring the beauty in the everyday and ordinary through painting almost daily since 2014. Without formal training, she has developed her own painting technique with house paint to capture life around her.

Whitney Sage of Naperville, IL focuses her acrylic-ink drawing on the sprawling neighborhoods of Detroit and Highland Park, Michigan, many rendered endangered and unrecognizable due to generations of disinvestment and abandonment.

Morgan Ford Willingham of Emporia KS uses photography and embroidery to allude to the intimate daily circumstances between her and her daughter and the historical and cultural influences that shape them both.

The Lincoln Center Art Gallery is free and open to the public Wednesday and Friday, 12–6 p.m. and for most performances.

To learn more, visit www.lctix.com/daily-chronicles.

In Her Elle-ement

In 2001, when Legally Blonde’s Elle Woods stepped out on the big screen—dressed head-to-toe in pink with her color-coordinated Chihuahua Bruiser in tow—an icon was born. Her cheery, can-do personality interwoven with her firm self-confidence cemented her as an inspirational figure to a whole generation, and that adoration from fans has only grown stronger over the last two decades. Now this cult classic film is a hit musical, and it’s coming to The Lincoln Center March 9–11!

“It’s an absolute honor to bring this show around the country and inspire new generations,” says Hannah Bonnett, who plays Elle Woods in the national tour of Legally Blonde – The Musical. “It warms my heart that people who love the show or, who have never seen it, always leave the theatre with a smile on their face!”

Bonnett’s love for Elle stems from the fact that she is not a cookie-cutter character. In any other story, Elle would be superficial, greedy and brainless but in Legally Blonde, Elle is compassionate, smart and full of pep. “I love that Elle is so multi-dimensional beyond the glitz and glamor,” says Bonnett. “She is a cheerleader for all people, and her joy, tenacity and belief in herself continue to inspire me.”

When asked what Bonnett thinks resonates most with the audience about the show, Bonnett remarks, “It’s an underdog story and everyone can relate to an underdog story.” Then virtually channeling Elle’s own remarkable positivity, she adds, “It’s a beautiful reminder that if you truly believe in your dreams, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to!”

This positivity seems to extend beyond Bonnett’s character and into her real life. When asked to share some behind-the-scenes stories about what it’s like to be involved with a nationally-touring Broadway show, she had nothing but good things to tell. “I will say we have a lot of fun on the stage, but some of the most special moments are what happens in the wings. Everyone has little rituals with one another either before, at intermission or after the show. Those moments are what make this experience so special to me.” Bonnett also remarks, “I am so grateful to have the most hilarious co-actors (who double as amazing friends), so whether we are on or off the stage I find I am always laughing.”

Speaking of laughing, we asked what it is like to work with an animal actor and if there are any funny stories she could share about the pup playing Bruiser. Bonnett quickly responds, “Hazel is the absolute sweetest thing—such an easy dog and so friendly. I wish I could say I had funny stories, but she is so fabulous at her job that she really steals the show! A true professional!”

With the interview drawing to a close, Bonnett reflects on what it means to play Elle and quotes the last line of the show. “Elle says, ‘I thank you one and all. The ones who thought I’d fall. Who taught me how to fail. Who helped me to prevail.’ It’s an amazing acknowledgment at the end of the show to not only thank the audience for our time together but also a really beautiful gratitude moment for myself on how far I’ve come.”

She concludes, “We can’t wait to have you in the audience and make sure to wear your favorite pink outfit! Snaps!” She’s referring to The Lincoln Center’s Think Pink Contest where audience members rockin’ their pinkest pinks can get their photos taken in The Lincoln Center lobby for a chance to win prizes like signed cast posters, Bruiser memorabilia and more!

Tickets to Legally Blonde – The Musical March 9–11 are almost sold out! Get yours before they’re gone at LCtix.com or in The Lincoln Center Box Office.