The Mercury News: Smuin Ballet tours with greatest hits, new work from Amy Seiwert

By Randy McMullen

Smuin Contemporary Ballet is headed out on the road beginning this weekend, with a goodie bag stuffed with fan favorites and a new work by an old friend.

In a touring program titled “Dance Series 02,” the company, noting its 25th season, is reviving several longtime favorites from company founder Michael Smuin, who died in 2007. Among these are “Unforgettable,” “Fever” “Carmina Burana,” “Frankie and Johnny” and “Dancin’ with Gershwin” — all works that helped define the troup’s endearing blend of sumptuous choreography and vibrant personality.

The new work comes from former company dancer and choreographer-in-residence Amy Seiwert, who’s now artistic director at Sacramento Ballet. Titled “Renaissance,” the work was inspired by the famed 385-mile “Women’s Wall” protest over gender inequality in India earlier this year, and is set to an a capella score performed by East Bay women’s chorus Kitka.

Details: April 26-May 5 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco; May 17-18 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, May 23-26 at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, May 31-June 1 at Sunset Center, Carmel; $25-$81; www.smuinballet.org.

Read the full article in The Mercury News.