Partners work their 'Magi' for the holidays

By DELIA O'HARA
The Chicago Sun-Times
November 23, 2003

A new Christmas tradition is in the works in the Chicago area -- "The Gift of the Magi," music and ballet based on O. Henry's short story of selfless love.

Conceived by Crystal Lake dancer and choreographer Judith Svalander, and executed by Svalander, co-choreographer Greg Begley, composer Michael Smith and collaborator Jamie O'Reilly, the complete work will take a while to spool out.

Theater review: 'Roasting Chestnuts: Gina Bell Rock' at The Noble Fool

By CHRIS JONES
The Chicago Tribune

If there's one aspect of traditional holiday entertainment that deserves a satiric lampoon, it's those cheery, capped-toothed citizen carolers, who show up in perfect harmony (and usually matching rouge outfits) everywhere from Radio City's Christmas spectacular to "A Christmas Carol." At the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, they were out in their blow-dried, intergenerational element — waving, prancing, simpering, making us feel inadequate, doing what they do best.

For folks like Mark Goldweber, ballet master at the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, these Disneyfied warblers must be like persistent gnats on a cheetah's back. Goldweber has their number(s).

Top-flight troupes

By HEDY WEISS
The Chicago Sun-Times
December 25, 2003

Who could have imagined it? Who would have believed, even five years ago, that there would be many weekends in Chicago when dance fans would have to make the very painful choice about which of several conflicting dance concerts they would see? But such was the case more than once this year, as resident companies offered expanded schedules, visiting artists arrived in greater numbers and the audience for dance of every variety seemed to be visibly expanding.