
I thoroughly adored Dance Chicago’s Dances from the Heart curated by Artistic Director John Schmitz, the highlight of the show, which featured Canadian guest artist Azalea Kaviani and Jordan Faye, was the premiere of “Of the Sun” from the program; Fish of the Sun. Fish of the Sun tells the story of a little fish who has lost her father and goes on a long, challenging journey to find him again. Children have an innate need to be near their parents or caregivers; their lives revolve around them much like the planets revolve around the sun. As the lost fish struggles to find her father, she recalls the importance of the physical connection. This dance shows the benefit of creating space for work that is for by and about the nuanced experiences and artistic expression of people with disabilities.
Azalea Kaviani, who is also one of the artistic directors, dressed in a blue and white unitard with lighting that appeared to make her and her partner appear underwater was a delight to behold. She danced with grace and sensitivity. They conveyed the inner experience of the delicate, lost fish looking for her father. Jordan Faye was a wonderful supportive and strong dancer and partner. When Faye carried his daughter, the little fish, off of the stage it was the most touching and meaningful moment of this wonderful evening of dance.
Having had two members of my immediate family, paralyzed by genetic ataxia, I sincerely hope that more artistic directors like Kaviani will get the support they need to utilize dancers in various stages of disability showing the world that beautiful interpretive dance is not limited.
Comedy Dance Chicago, with their opening number and titled “L – O – V – E,” brought out the light moments of comic relief and showed that anyone with any level of dance experience can still express themselves and the joy of dancing.
The two largest international dance troops, TRINITY Irish Dance ensemble with twenty-three dancers and Hromovytsia Ukrainian Dance Ensemble with fifty-one dancers, filled the stage with joy and tradition. These group dances, complete with wonderful, colorful costumes from each country, although completely different in style, conveyed how marvelous it is that young boys and girls together can dance together in freedom and safety, while in many parts of the world, this type of performance is either forbidden or impossible.
Gus Giordano Dance Company was fantastic with their numbers entitled “So Hot” and “Issa Vibe”.
Soloist Sophia DeLeon Sanchez with the premiere of the dance, entitled “Letting Go“ was a stand out with her sensual, hypnotic and mature grace.
I was also impressed by tap dancer and soloist Trey Dumas. The first portion of his solo was an improvography in silence, which allowed the audience to hear the intricate beats that this long time tap dance teacher was able to create on the spot. But the second half of his program, which was set to the song autumn leaves with the original French lyrics by Jacques Peurye and performed by Leslie Odom Junior, really brought the light of his tap genius into the romantic program that fit perfectly with Dances from the Heart.
Hip Hop ConnXion family with eleven dancers took over the stage with great energy and verve in their dance entitled “I miss you”. Other wonderful contributions were made by Visceral Studio Company, Christine Rich Dance Theatre, Flamenco, Ramya Ravi, Kalakriti bharatanatyam, Culture Shock Chicago, Tap Icon Tre Dumas, Footprints Tap Ensemble, Forum Dance Theatre, Elevation Studio Company, and Wheatland Dance Theater.
Dances from the Heart at the lovely North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie was a full-length program with a complete variety of highest quality dance troops curated from all over Chicago and the country was two hours of enchantment with a 15 minute intermission. I highly recommend this program in the future for audiences of all ages.
A musical, but it’s just the voices in your head. Sounds just crazy enough to win the 2020 Pulitzer for…
From a "Kung Fu rom-com" to a witchy new musical, The Goodman's popular New Stages Festival in its 22nd year continues…
TimeLine Theatre’s 30th Anniversary Season at its new home in Uptown rolls merrily along in November with the company’s 100th…
Under the leadership of Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director Avery Willis Hoffman and Executive Director Angel Ysaguirre, Court Theatre proudly…
Trap Door Theatre is thrilled to continue its 33rd season with a Chicago Premiere of Oh, Buddy, written by Hal…
Tis the season, in spite of today's unseasonable temps, as A Christmas Carol begins rehearsals for The Goodman's 49th annual…
Nova Entertainment is pleased to announce the upcoming performance schedule and updates for CIRCA Pintig, with a visual rebrand and…
The blurb is: hahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahaha hihihi hahahahahahaha hoho hahahhahaha hehe hahahahahahahahahaha. Julia Masli's award-winning solo phenomenon ha ha ha ha…
Sanctuary Stories plumbs the line between theater and journalism, and the powerful human dramas both can depict. Funded by a Northwestern…
For its sixth Halloween season, Rough House Theater Co. has transformed Steppenwolf’s Merle Reskin Garage into a spectacular puppet haunted…
Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:00 pm, Sundays at 3 pm Additional Saturday matinees at 3:00 pm on November 28 and December…
Let he without sin cast the first stone, Lyric’s “Don Giovanni” seemingly says when they bring up the house lights…
Teatro Vista Productions (TVP), the Midwest's only Latine-led Equity theatre company, in collaboration with Audible, presents Cafecito & Loops: A…
They're creepy and they're kooky, Mysterious and spooky, They're altogether ooky, The Addams Family. Yes, ooky. BrightSide Theatre’s production of…
With Halloween creeping closer, there’s something fitting about revisiting one of opera’s earliest flirtations with macabre horror - especially in…
Avalanche Theatre announces the world premiere production of They Broke Up by Chicago playwright Skyler Tarnas, November 6–22, 2026. Opening…
Oil Lamp Theater is proud to announce the cast and creative team for its next production and the final production…
Christmas Day is in our grasp. Why the vodka? Glad you asked! Who's Holiday! brings R-rated Cindy-Lou Who back to…
The Sarah Siddons Society is pleased to present its 2026 Award to actress and director Victoria Clark, who recently starred…
At fifteen, the world can feel like a television show you haven't quite figured out how to turn off. For…
Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to launch its 51st Season with the world premiere of…
Hell in a Handbag Productions is thrilled to announce its 25th Anniversary Season, featuring three "camptacular" shows guaranteed to delight lovers of…
Chicago’s Theater Wit is now offering new, state-of-the-art closed captioning service, marking a dramatic improvement in making live theater more…
“God bless us, everyone,” because there’s a fresh, new, reimagined version of Charles Dickens’ classic tale A Christmas Carol debuting…
Following last year's critically acclaimed, sell-out engagement, Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce the return of John C. Reilly…
The Saint Sebastian Players open their 45th season of travels to different places with A Murder is Announced, a classic Miss Marple mystery…
Today, Goodman Theatre raises the curtain on its future as leadership and artists share a vision for its next century…
Two Edge Theater, a reincarnation of the Edge Theater Company that enjoyed eight successful seasons in the Denver, Colorado area,…
Chicago's historic Fine Arts Building and Studebaker Theater are thrilled to announce their Halloween co-production of Manual Cinema's acclaimed Frankenstein…
Trap Door Theatre is thrilled to continue its 33rd season with Any Rebellion of Will, written by S.L. Daniels and…
“A Strange Loop” Lets the Intrusive Thoughts Win at Raven Theatre in partnership with About Face Theatre
Announcing Goodman's 22nd New Stages 2026 Festival Line-Up
Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble Announces 2026-2027 Season
Eos Theatre Company Announces Second Production with The Thin Place
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.