Standout Performances of 2022: Readers’ Choice
We asked for your favorite performances this year, and you delivered!
2022 was filled with outstanding onstage moments that left an impression on our readers. While classics like Dracula and Swan Lake were especially popular this year, a variety of performances by dancers and companies made the list. We are thrilled to see what stood out to you in theaters across the globe.
Without further ado, here are your 2022 audience favorites. Thank you to all who nominated!
Kansas City Ballet in Michael Pink’s Dracula
“I have seen many many ballet performances, but the sophistication of the choreography and the fine artistry of the dancers will live with me for a long time as the most beautiful piece of art I’ve ever seen.” —Nora
Boston Ballet’s Viktorina Kapitonova guesting in Alexei Ratmansky’s Swan Lake at Miami City Ballet
“She embodied the Swan Queen, illuminating the strength of Odette as a leader who must protect her flock. The choreographic details added depth to the story, and the beautiful Miami City Ballet corps was polished to perfection.” —Deanna
American Ballet Theatre’s Skylar Brandt (Odette/Odile debut) in Kevin McKenzie’s Swan Lake
“Absolutely incredible dynamics, and the energy from the audience was through the roof.” —Noa
Milwaukee Ballet’s Parker Brasser-Vos and Lizzie Tripp in Michael Pink’s Swan Lake
“Incredible, moving and stunningly beautiful.” —Victoria
San Francisco Ballet’s Dores André in August Bournonville’s La Sylphide
“Exquisite.” —Nicole
Maria Caruso’s Metamorphosis
“Best ‘ballet’ I’ve seen all year. The woman next to me, who was a former professional dancer, commented that Caruso was like Sylvie Guillem, Martha Graham and Isadora Duncan inside a Balanchine ballet. I had to agree!” —Jane
New York Theatre Ballet in Antony Tudor’s Dark Elegies
“They are doing a great job of keeping masterpieces like that alive and staying true to the integrity of the piece. I can’t find any other company that’s doing a better job of preserving these gems!” —Nick
Staatsballett Munich’s Shale Wagman and Ksenia Ryzhkova in Roland Petit’s Coppélia
“Shale’s technical and acting skills met the funny, mischievous and proud character of Franz perfectly. Long applause, bravi and many curtain calls for Franz and Swanilda were highly deserved.” —Sabine
Alexandra Light’s Inside Voices
“She strives to bring [professional-level] work to the community at no cost to the audience. Her work itself is beautiful, innovative, steeped in the classical dance vocabulary, but is still fresh and original.” —Rayleigh
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Marisa Grywalski in Susan Jaffe’s Swan Lake
“The artistry and expression exhibited on that day was one that should go down in the books as one to be remembered. I will always remember that night—just stunning!” —Alejandro
Orlando Ballet’s Dahlia Denicore in Michael Pink’s Dracula
“[She was] spectacular! The artistry was inspiring and mesmerizing. It was a dramatic and emotional ballet that still gives me chills when I think about it.” —Daisy
Other Favorites
Vadim Muntagirov, as Rudolf, in Kenneth MacMillan’s Mayerling (The Royal Ballet)
Emilie Gerrity in Merce Cunningham’s Summerspace (New York City Ballet)
New York City Center’s all-Twyla Tharp program, TWYLA NOW
New Jersey Ballet’s New Direction program
The Australian Ballet in Justin Peck’s Everywhere We Go
Kansas City Ballet in Septime Webre’s The Wizard of Oz and Devon Carney’s The Nutcracker
American Ballet Theatre’s James Whiteside in Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker
Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in Terrence S. Orr’s The Nutcracker
New York City Ballet in George Balanchine’s Vienna Waltzes
Colorado Ballet in Michael Pink’s Dracula
BalletMet in David Nixon’s Dracula
São Paulo Companhia de Dança in Marcia Haydée’s The Nutcracker in the Dream World
Ballet Ariel in Michel Fokine’s Carnaval
