Performing Arts

  The Dancer The dancer turns elegantly: her pivot light and feathery, her eyes as brilliant as a wren’s, her...

  Vilnius Opera, 1993 "Those costumes look professional!" he gasps, Goggling the stage through my aunt's high-end glass. Of course...

  Seeing Shen Yun in Milwaukee The curtain rose—divine, resplendent stage, Where heaven’s hues met earth in living grace. The...

. Silent Movies As silent movies play inside your head, Their scattered shadows, faint and far away, You try to...

. The Dance When Arsis and Thesis met on the dance floor, one bowed to the other, the other implored:...

. From Faust: The Tragedy, Part I Prologue in Heaven by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) translated from German by...

. On Shen Yun . I. The land of China. Deep in history That like a river flows with people...

. Bohème Opera in a bare and frigid room As winter winds were sweeping, like a broom, Raised an enthusiasm,...

. A Show Tonight The young dawn pierces languid night And dips the theater in newborn light. The Shen Yun...

. . Ballerina The balanced ballerina on her toe was poised with perfect posture—back and chest. The crowd, in silent...

. Cancel Madame Butterfly today! Such racist music cannot soothe the soul. Let’s never show another hate-filled play. The King...

. Everyone Knows Fog and smoke! Such confusion we’re subject to! So much danger to me and you From the...

. Flodden Historical Note: The Battle of Flodden took place between English and Scottish armies on September 9, 1513. The...

. A play in one act based on the true story of Li Zhenjun. Play by Evan Mantyk. Characters Narrator...

An Ode to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern 50 Years Later A Poetic Summary of Tom Stoppard’s Award-Winning Play As Seen Through...

Musical Comedy or Doggerel for Dilettantes The Sonata Like a Classical sonata, our day opens with a theme, Whether thrown...

A sonnet of longing and of a glimpse of hope. July 17, 2016. We looked imploring to the starless sky;...

By Evan Mantyk Advertising for it is everywhere. If you haven’t seen it, you just haven’t been paying attention. A...

When Santa’s sleigh took to the sky, He saw a wonder by him fly: A Chinese Fairy dance on clouds And...

  Upon Seeing Shen Yun By Evan Mantyk How they fly now through the air With such poise and splendid...

Your steps, unequal, hasten, departing from the race Where dust’s all that’s awarded, where just the fit survive, Pursuing trifles,...