Reviews
- "The [2012 Vail International Dance Festival's] program began strongly with Mr. Neenan's Switch Phase, in which
four men and four women from BalletX display what might be called a modern folk style."
- "BalletX's…dance style [is] appealing…powerfully bending… [and] especially refreshing."
- "Subtle tenderness, athleticism of movement…just plain sexy."
- "The dancers of BalletX,from Philadelphia, look sleek."
- "Mysterious, sexy, funny, and surprising"
- "BalletX regularly conceives scintillating programs!"
- "A little nugget of choreographic genius."
- "An electric evening!"
- "The result is silly, irreverent and completely brilliant."
Sophisticated Fun
July 15, 2012
By Janet Anderson in Broad Street Review
- "The seven-year old company [is]…still as quirky as ever."
- "The choreography showcased the dancers…in a variety of seemingly impossible angles."
- "The Last Glass was sexy, surprising, bold and fun."
Forward Movement
April 21, 2012
by Janet Anderson, Philadelphia City Paper
- "No one mixes and matches movement and music as exuberantly as Neenan does…they looked fabulous."
BalletX’s Fall Series
November 22nd, 2011
By Janet Anderson in Broad Street Review
- “BalletX founders Matthew Neenan and Christine Cox started with a dream of pursuing the new and the different in movement.”
- “[BalletX] is not only changing dance, but also changing people’s lives in the process.”
- “Jackson Sounds may be Neenan’s most important and influential work.”
- “Surprising and lovely performances.”
- “[BalletX performances are] like taking an expansive breath.”
- “BalletX, even when fooling around with its schoolyard playmates, is quite grown-up.”
- “Charming tenderness…entwining and uncoupling as if drowsy with morning love.”
BalletX Summer Series
By Janet Anderson
For Broad Street Review Published: July 26,2011
- “Spunky.”
- “Whether they’re creating their own work or bringing in intriguing experimenters from around the world, the Ballet Xers rarely produce anything that isn’t totally professionally and usually excitingly new.”
- “A dazzling program of new works from young choreographers who came from all over the U.S. and Europe with choreography that was seriously composed and joyfully danced.”
BalletX Summer Series
By Jim Rutter
For Broad Street Review Published: July 26, 2011
- “Dance at its most powerful.”
- “a good dose of comedic uncertainty and imbalance”
- “Proliferation of the Imagination combines outrageous stories, folk-like music, modern ballet, hilarious banter, and a good ol’ fashioned rapping baby.”
- “[A] gloriously playful onstage riot.”
- “Freshest, most original offering of the current Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts…”
- “Inspired, cabaret ballet-theater.”
- “BalletX, the Wilma, and their collaborators took a risky leap…This grand success…lit up a few stars up there for Apollinaire.”
- “The vivacity of their performances was infectious.”
- “The music and choreography are joyful, energetic, and odd.”
A Proliferation of the Absurd
by Lindsay Warner
Arts and Culture Blog Published: April 23, 2011
- “Joyful, absurd, funny and utterly ludicrous.”
- “BalletX – joyful, kinetic, and dynamic.”
The Sweetest Fruit
by Janet Anderson
Philadelphia City Paper 11/23/2010
- “With a fantastic troupe…BalletX has morphed from a local startup to an institution with an edge.”
- “Fantastic choreographic imagination.”
- “Wildly imaginative, totally zonkers, always beautifully performed – this was BalletX at its finest.”
BalletX is on a Roll
by Jonathan M. Stein
Broad Street Review 11/23/2010
- “[Matthew] Neenan is a dynamic, resourceful choreographer who maintains our attention, awakening our senses and preparing us for surprise and change. He may employ quirky gestures, or wringing funky un-balletic movements from his otherwise graceful dancers.”
- “truly enchanting…”
- “BalletX’s unique performances definitely live up to their reputation, with exceptionally engaging dancers and with their limitless endurance and ability.”
- “Great heights and sustained excellence.”
Summer Series @ Wilma Theater
Posted by Sarah Thiebaud
For uwishunu.com Published: July 23, 2010
- “Powerfully explosive movements.”
- “[BalletX] reflected emotions of joy, angst, and romance, and was a delight to watch…It was truly a night of celebration and dancing, highlighting the heart and soul of every dancer.”
Summer Series
by Julia Askenase
For Philadelphia City Paper Published: July 22, 2010
- “The Last Glass called for a night of bohemian revelry…Co-Artistic director Matthew Neenan placed his dancers in a whimsical, if slightly inebriated world where they took on the joyous and tormented stories of several lovers.”
On a mission to redefine ballet
By Jim Rutter
For Broad Street Review. Review II published: July 27, 2010
- “Soft, fluid balletic movements…warm and emotive touches…”
- “Tremendous new works…”
- “We were rewarded with a charming little hit.”
- “The three-piece program is BalletX’s most beautiful and touching yet.”
Power Play
by Janet Anderson
City Paper Published: Apr. 7, 2009
- “Pushing movement boundaries.”
- “Odd, introspective, elegant moves.”
BalletX Both Fanciful And Versatile
by Lindsay Warner
The Bulletin Published: Apr. 7, 2009
- “Fun, flippant movements that…push and pull the dancers across the stage with a magnetic force.”
- “The company performs with the carefully honed movements of dancers under the influence of two fine artistic directors, who maintain a fine sense of precision.”
- “Co-artistic directors Christine Cox [and Matthew Neenan] are growing their company in the right direction.”
X Goes Next Level
by Deni Kasrel
City Paper, Published: Nov 7, 2007
- “Enthusiastic, well-executed performance.”
- “Clever and humorous choreography, soothing music, dramatic lighting and gorgeous bodies hit all the right notes.”
What The Critics Say about BalletX and its Co-founders
Critics Picks, WRTI.org
9/7/2005
- “Abstract and sporty…the performance was first class.”
- “Powerfully performed…It’s worth repeating.”
DanceMagazine.com
4/2005
- “Quick-tempo, asymmetric movement…joyously represented the creative intimacy here.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer
3/11/2005
- “Inventive partnering…extremes of intimacy.”
Dance Magazine
2/2005
- “Sheer exhilaration to witness the way [Neenan] weds a choreographic idea with a musical score to make magic on the stage…”
Ballet-Dance Magazine
2005
- “Neenan’s choreography was innovative – showing off the company’s athleticism and individual strengths – as well as visually refreshing, with strong ensemble segments and wonderful use of space and patterns.”
The Philadelphia Inquirer
8/10/2001
- “Neenan’s thoroughly magnetic Frequencies…was a masterpiece.”
- “Innate classicism…cool sophistication…a hint of sass.”
- “When dance is like this, it can make me feel as if I were in heaven.”
BalletX Feature Articles
Pointe Magazine
December 2005 / January 2006
- “Inventiveness and variety.”
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