John Neumeier -- director and chief choreographer for Hamburg Ballet -- blends dance, dramatic storytelling and spectacle into a unique interpretation of a classic Hans Christian Andersen's tale. With choreography, sets, costumes, and lighting, all by Neumeier, this ballet--as much theater as it is dance--takes the dancers into deep emotional terrain. The acclaimed production of The Little Mermaid from San Francisco Ballet airs on Great Performances

First New Staging of the Classic Full-Length Ballet in Over 20 Years SAN FRANCISCO, Feb.

Only Ovation TV, the network dedicated to art, culture and creativity, could bring you the most spirited artistic battle on TV -- "Battle of the Nutcrackers - Grudge Match." After its triumphant debut last year, Ovation TV is stepping up the competition with this year's programming event by including six, highly diverse productions of the beloved holiday classic.

By Michael Upchurch, Seattle Times Mar. 28--Call it a dance bonanza. Next week, two local and one visiting dance troupe will hit our stages, with strikingly different offerings.

By ROBERT NOTT, IMAGES COURTESY ASPEN SANTA FE BALLET AND PHOTOS BY NATALIE GUILLN Jean-Philippe Malaty told the kids to pick up the dead mouse. He threatened to use Krazy Glue to stick them together so they wouldn't fall out of formation.