David Taylor Dance Theatre Reviews

“…beautifully presented…a recent evening with the David Taylor Dance Theatre revealed the importance of matching artistry with cohesion. What a marvelous performance…the company danced with loads of spirit, presence and power. Brava and Bravo!”
Janine Gastineau, Dance Magazine

“The David Taylor Dance Theatre has always been the most provocative of the area’s dance companies, tackling themes, subjects and music that no one else touches. It still does.”
Glenn Giffin, The Denver Post

“The stage was filled with powerful performers, exquisite of line, drilled to near perfection and quite comfortable with even the most extraordinarily demanding piece. Simply put, you have to see the new Taylor company to believe it.”
Marc Shulgold, The Denver Rocky Mountain News

“I was struck very forcefully by the skill, the training, the talent, the intensity of the dancing, the clarity of it. The talent is excellent, the discipline and training are first rate and the material is all there.”
Robert Commanday, The San Francisco Chronicle

“One of the annual delights of Denver’s growing dance scene has been the David Taylor Dance Theatre’s evening of duets, 'Three’s A Crowd’. The consistency of the ensemble is a wonder to behold – not to mention the versatility. The engaging evening was darn close to perfect.”
Marc Shulgold, The Denver Rocky Mountain News

“An ambitious troupe that tackles themes, subjects and music that others don’t dare to cover. Taylor’s goals for DTDT include a commitment not only to serve his audience with innovative repertoire but to educate and inspire the community at large.”
Rachael Pollack, Pointe Magazine 

Reviews of "Rainforest"

“…if there’s a part of you that wants to believe in real dance magic, check out the David Taylor Dance Theatre’s eye-popping, inventive production of ‘Rainforest’…and bring the kids. This is not just a dance show, but a total theatrical experience in which every element is crucial – and every element brilliantly conceived.”
Marc Shulgold, The Denver Rocky Mountain News

“…’Rainforest’ was so full of magical visions that I’m sure any child in the audience who has the slightest leaning towards an interest in dance will be joyously hooked for life. What Taylor’s collaborative crew did with costumes and lighting design turned the stage into a blissful childhood fantasyland. Mr. Taylor’s inspired mix of artistic brilliance and concern for the environment made me hope that they’d do it again. Soon.”
David Marlowe, Out Front Magazine

“…one of the most brilliant pieces of theatre this side of ‘Cirque du Soleil’. My ability with words is woefully inadequate to the task of describing this wonderful production.”
The United States Institute of Theater Technology

“ …’Rainforest’ is a visual and dancing delight. It is refreshing to come across stagecraft that is simple, elegant and magical that charmed children and adults alike. ‘Rainforest’ bursts with flashes of color and light. Add a score that is both atmospheric and musically pleasing, imaginative costuming and evocative choreography and you have a total theatrical experience.”
Theodore Mahne, The New Orleans Times-Picayune

Reviews of "The Nutcraker" 

“In the competitive world of rival ‘Nutcracker’ productions, there are Nutcrackers grand and Nutcrackers wacky, but when it comes to imaginative ones, the David Taylor Dance Theatre has a sure bet. There can be few productions quite so visually arresting as that of the DTDT. Designed by George Peters, the sets and costumes reinforce Taylor’s choreographic ideas: that the ballet is a dream, that dreams follow their own, often surreal, rules, and that there is a blend of terror and joy and of happiness and regret. It is a brightly conceived and danced show.”
Glenn Giffin, The Denver Post

“The Christmas ballet classic ‘The Nutcracker’ is not synonymous with creativity. But then comes along a production of the family ballet like that of the David Taylor Dance Theatre. They showed that with sufficient artistic vision you can take a ballet as infinitely world-weary as ‘The Nutcracker’ and make it glow with charm and wit. While the production would have been slightly diminished without the sets and costumes of George Peters, it would not have been so thoroughly witty and intelligent without the choreography of David Taylor. The ballet is shot through with small touches of humor. The result is while children will be delighted by the whimsy and fantasy of the piece, adults will be equally engaged by its gentle self-irony. The unique use of color makes us appreciate every aspect of the visual texture of the ballet. The result is equally elegant and delectable.”
Devorah Knaff, The Long Beach Press-Telegram

“…Taylor’s bright, bold ‘Nutcracker’ is a treat for the eyes. George Peters’ inventive sets are complemented by an equally stunning costume design. The result is memorable. This bold look fits nicely with Taylor’s unorthodox story line. Rather than send young Clara off to dreamland after the endless opening-scene party, Taylor turns the entire ballet into a dream. It’s a terrific idea.”
Marc Shulgold, The Denver Rocky Mountain News

“The David Taylor Dance Theatre did a sophisticated takeoff on the standard version of ‘The Nutcracker’ and should please those who are looking for more adult fare. Taylor made a parody of the traditional entertainment and the design of costumes by George Peters was extraordinary. The dancing combined strong expression, purity, clocklike precision, and athletic command. All told, this version is an irreverently entertaining variation of the original. The production was happily received, as it well deserved, with its visual treats and ample supply of rich choreography and dancing. I recommend it for seasoned Nutcracker fans.”
Sarah Manno, The Fort Collins Coloradoan

“Thank you so much for yet another wonderful performance of ‘The Nutcracker’. As you know, our show was a sellout and we are, of course, thankful and glad it’s an event that leaves the audience happy, satisfied and ready to enter the holiday season. I think your version of this age-old story is one of the best. The costumes, staging and sets are beautiful, the dancing excellent, the whole show is magical; and I absolutely love your contemporary additions.”
Ronna Kalish, Director, New Mexico Tech

“So what do you do when you’ve seen Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’ hundreds of times, danced it, taken your children and grandchildren to see it, know every step, every note of music and can sing it in your sleep? You go again – this time to see the David Taylor Dance Theatre production which happily, is quite unlike anything seen previously. It’s highly possible to keep ‘The Nutcracker’ creatively fresh and alive. David Taylor’s innovative production showed that updating is necessary and good. I have no doubt that Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky would approve.”
Rachel Pollack, The Cherry Creek Times