Ballet Theatre

Leaving Maryland Hall auditorium in Annapolis after the Ballet Theatre of Maryland performance Saturday, I saw Severna Park neighbor George Helwig, who confessed that he has "always been a dance nut from classical ballet to hip-hop" and had just enjoyed his first Ballet Theatre performance. "I'm surprised at what a treasure the citizens of this state have in this company, and I can't understand why all these seats aren't filled," Helwig said. Outside the auditorium, I relayed Helwig's comments to ballet aficionado Thea Pinskey.

Over the years I've attended my share of boring dance recitals at lesser venues, but Saturday's three-hour performance by the Ballet Theatre of Maryland's School of Classical and Contemporary Dance was so good that it more than made up for all those unpleasant experiences. Describing the year-end recital as "the chance to show how much the students have learned," said Dianna Cuatto, the theatre's artistic and school director. "This is the one time all of the students, older and younger, get together in one building and interact."

Familiar music interpreted through dance is always fascinating, and what I saw at a rehearsal at Ballet Theatre of Maryland last week promised dance audiences a treat. Artistic director Dianna Cuatto has selected music by 20th-century American composers George Gershwin, Aaron Copeland and Leonard Bernstein for the Director's Choice program on Feb. 24 and 25. Ballet master Bryan Skates has choreographed two of the pieces: Copeland's Old American Songs, a blend of traditional hymns and folk songs, and Sentimental Saunter, which is set to Gershwin.

America Ferrera, the Emmy-winning star of Ugly Betty, is now the Hispanic Woman of the Year, the Hollywood Reporter and Billboard announced yesterday. The publications will honor Ferrera and the 25 most powerful Hispanic women in film, television and music at their inaugural Hispanic Women in Entertainment breakfast at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Tuesday. Ferrera has won Golden Globe, Emmy and Screen Actors Guild awards for her portrayal of Betty Suarez on the ABC show. Top documentaries Hoop Dreams, Steve James, Peter Gilbert and Frederick Marx's 1994 film about two black teenagers pursuing basketball stardom, has been voted the best documentary in movie history by the International Documentary Association.

Ballet Theatre of Annapolis had an opulent opener in a mixed repertoire that featured the gem "Sapphire Romance," a pas de deux titled "The Golden Age" and a bow to the Duke -- true nobility among American composers -- in "Ellington Suite.""Sapphire Romance" is a multifaceted gem choreographed by Ballet Theatre's artistic director Edward Stewart to the music of Sergei Rachmaninoff. The ballet reflects Stewart's sensitivity, his skill in showcasing each dancer's strengths, and ability to design what is visually arresting.

Don GiovanniWitness the adventures and downfall of the mythical libertine Don Juan when the Baltimore Opera Company opens its 49th season today with Mozart's "Don Giovanni" at the Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mount Royal Ave. International opera star James Morris, who has sung in the world's major opera houses, returns to his hometown to sing the title role. (Greer Grimsley portrays Don Giovanni Sunday afternoon.) Hours are 7: 30 p.m. today and Wednesday, 8: 15 p.m. Saturday and Oct. 29, and 3 p.m. Sunday and Oct. 31. Tickets are $25-$112.

The Ballet Theatre of Annapolis will present a widely eclectic program of dance at Maryland Hall this week.BTA has described its spring production, which includes a variety of dance from classical to abstract contemporary, as "mixed repertoire."Two new works will have their premieres. "The Crown Jewel" choreographed by BTA's artistic director Edward Stewart in memory of his mother, Alice, who died last March, is a non-narrative tribute to the person who strongly supported Stewart's early interest in dance.

Ballet Theatre of Annapolis has announced a new season, to open in two weeks, that will offer classical ballets to delight the most ardent traditionalist and treasured favorites to please the family.This 19th season of the BTA, which since 1980 has been under the artistic direction of Edward Stewart, promises to be one of BTA's most exciting and ambitious ones.The 1999-2000 season will offer four full-length productions to be presented at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.The season will open Oct. 22 with the company's only modern dance program of the season, "Ellington Suite," choreographed by Stephanie Powell, in celebration of the centennial of the birth of musician-composer Duke Ellington.

A ballet company that premieres two original works in one night and includes the "Black Swan Pas de Deux" of Tchaikovsky is offering an adventurous program as it is. Throw in Bizet's "Carmen" in the second half and it becomes an ambitious and exciting evening.But Ballet Theatre of Annapolis pulled it off last weekend at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis.The new works were Anton Wilson's "Seep," an abstract piece based on Emily Dickinson's poem "Almost" and danced to the music of contemporary composer Phillip Glass, and Edward Stewart's traditional "The Crowned Jewel," a moving tribute to his late mother set to the music of French romantic composer Gabriel Pierne.

Four Seasons, teacher nominated for art honorDenise Levitine, art teacher at Four Seasons Elementary School, has been nominated to the Original Works Art Institute 1998 Art Honor Roll.Each year, the institute reviews hundreds of pieces of children's artwork submitted through the Original Works Program by school classes nationwide.Based on this review, the institute selects the top 10 percent of these schools for inclusion on the Original Works Honor Roll. The school and the art teacher are named to the honor roll based on such factors as art design, consistency, creativity and overall artistic excellence across all grade levels.

When founding director Edward Stewart and the board changed the name of Ballet Theatre of Annapolis to Ballet Theatre of Maryland in 2001, they envisioned a professional company of national renown that would "represent and service the whole state," said artistic director Dianna Cuatto. This year the group is "taking steps to fulfill that vision" by creating partnerships across the state. Maryland's premier professional ballet company and dance school starts its 31st season with plans to perform in venues outside Annapolis and conduct classes beyond Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts.

Ballet Theatre of Maryland marked its 30th anniversary last weekend with a program that looked at its beginnings, its present and its future, creating a performance covering dance forms from classic to modern. The company was founded in 1978 by Edward Stewart, who served as director until his death in 2002. The program opened with a commissioned work that debuted in December 2007, Celtic Book of Days, featuring music created and performed by Maryland resident Maggie Sansone with three musicians.

Ballet Theatre of Maryland launched its 30th anniversary season - and its most successful opener ever - with a sizable audience Saturday for the opening performance of Cinderella and a sold-out show Sunday at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts. The draw was a sparkling choreographic recreation of the fairy tale favorite by BTM artistic director Dianna Cuatto. Clearly relishing the project, Cuatto explained that she had "combined the best parts of favorite versions including Ever After, Disney, Rodgers and Hammerstein and others to create this version of the beloved tale."

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland is a company of paid professionals who teach and share technical responsibilities in addition to performing. At a recent rehearsal it was clear that their camaraderie is strong. With the troupe's 30th-anniversary season set to start this month, members lent their talents where needed as ballerina Jessica Fry demonstrated how to sew costumes she had designed. She was joined by Kathryn Carlson, both dancers in their sixth season with the BTM. The two are joined by six other returning dancers: Calder Taylor, Meagan Helman, Brian Walker, David McAlister, Margaret Hannah, and Scali Riggs.

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland's Summer Intensive 2008 Gala Performance was an entertaining event showcasing student progress. The program at Anne Arundel Community College's Pascal Center for the Performing Arts included selections from classical, modern and contemporary repertoires. Included was an excerpt from Ballet Theatre Artistic Director Dianna Cuatto's Dawn Songs, as well as excerpts from La Bayadere, Paquita and Coppelia. A whimsical acting segment featured interpretations of "Cinderella," illustrating how the dancers had learned to tell stories without words.

The Ballet Theatre of Maryland closed its 2007-2008 season last weekend with memorable performances from the entire company in a new major work honoring an Annapolis ballet teacher. Dancers were also at the top of their form in preceding selections that included Italian Symphonette, a work choreographed earlier by Dianna Cuatto, and her Tango Dramatico, requested by four principal dancers: Bryan Skates, his wife, Jamie Skates, and principal dancers Alexis Decker and Christi Bleakly. Wherever these dancers appeared, they set higher standards than before, giving cause to celebrate along with the bittersweet realization that we will no longer be able to see their magic.

Ballet Theatre of Maryland artistic director Dianna Cuatto told the audience that she never gets tired of The Nutcracker, even though she often danced in it during her performing career and has choreographed versions of the classic ballet. Cuatto continues to tweak and improve her choreography to make The Nutcracker the best yet. Packed with nostalgia, this ballet is comfortably familiar but fresh, lively and joyous. It is often breathtakingly beautiful, both in dance and in scenery. The scenery has been color-coordinated with costumes so that every detail bespeaks creative commitment.

Book fair and dance performance -- The Ballet Theatre of Maryland will hold a book fair and mini-performance at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Barnes & Noble Cafe in the Annapolis Harbour Center, 2516 Solomons Island Road. Dancers will perform highlights of their upcoming production of "The Nutcracker" as a part of the "Taste of the Ballet" series. 410-263-8289.

Leaving Maryland Hall auditorium in Annapolis after the Ballet Theatre of Maryland performance Saturday, I saw Severna Park neighbor George Helwig, who confessed that he has "always been a dance nut from classical ballet to hip-hop" and had just enjoyed his first Ballet Theatre performance. "I'm surprised at what a treasure the citizens of this state have in this company, and I can't understand why all these seats aren't filled," Helwig said. Outside the auditorium, I relayed Helwig's comments to ballet aficionado Thea Pinskey.

America Ferrera, the Emmy-winning star of Ugly Betty, is now the Hispanic Woman of the Year, the Hollywood Reporter and Billboard announced yesterday. The publications will honor Ferrera and the 25 most powerful Hispanic women in film, television and music at their inaugural Hispanic Women in Entertainment breakfast at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Tuesday. Ferrera has won Golden Globe, Emmy and Screen Actors Guild awards for her portrayal of Betty Suarez on the ABC show. Top documentaries Hoop Dreams, Steve James, Peter Gilbert and Frederick Marx's 1994 film about two black teenagers pursuing basketball stardom, has been voted the best documentary in movie history by the International Documentary Association.