Season 1997/1998
Swan Lake 10/3/97	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	They have an ability to make the difficult look effortless, says Cincinnati Ballet artistic director Victoria Morgan, and it's no accident. The word is they're workaholics, perfectionists. They arrive early and stay late, a focused discipline infusing everything they do.
Swan Lake 10/5/97	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	I've never seen any principal dancers more in total control of the material than Ms. Reznik and Mr. Kremnev. There were 2000 in attendance, roaring bravos by the end.
Swan Lake 10/5/97	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	They were in a word masterly in their poetic and romantic interpretations ...
Nutcracker 12/20/97	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	The heart of choreographer Frederic Franklin's Land of Snow is a pas de deux for Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev, with the snowflakes as an afterthought. And why not. Dancers of the calibre of Ms. Reznik and Mr. Kremnev, whose artistry continues to pull the company to a higher plane would make any dance-maker dream up dreamy steps. And so he does.
Swan Lake 12/19/97	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	And this year the snow scene is only enhanced by the presence of Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev as the Snow Queen and King. This Russian pair once again offer a mesmerizing blend of precise technique and romantic attitudes as they did in "Swan Lake," their company debut last October.
Carmina Burana 1/31/98	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	Anna Reznik and Alex Kremnev, the new Russian dancers who have been triumphing in more classic pieces, don't seem a bit intimidated by Butler's contemporary movement. Still, the work settles down enough to offer them a pas de deux. They endow it with lyrical, silken dancing.
Balanchine's Divertimento No. 15 1/31/98	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	Soloists for Divertimento danced delicately, especially in the Andante, where Anna Reznik's effortless approach stood out, even in a group.
Slaughter on Tenth Avenue 4/18/98	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	Anna Reznik in her solos brought fluidity to her arabesques. She holds these poses on pointe seconds longer than most dancers would dare.
Paquita 4/18/98	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev were the featured couple, performing with true Russian style. Mr. Kremnev's elevation was breathtaking in his sailing attitude leaps; Ms. Reznik's steely technique almost under-appreciated because of the delicacy with which she dances.
Eyes That Gently Touch 5/6/98	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	Ms. Reznik has become a crowd favorite at the Ballet since arriving from Russia and making her debut with husband Alexei Kremnev this season in "Swan Lake." (They also had the title roles in this season's company premiere of "Beauty and the Beast.") Set to the piano music of Philip Glass, "Eyes That Gently Touch" actually is three pas de deux for three different couples. Nancy Maas and Alexei Kremnev seemed especially in tune with Peterson's choreography, a deft blend of lyric dancing and acrobatic moves.
The Eyes That Gently Touch 5/10/98	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	Carmen's hot-blooded passion was balanced by another Kirk Peterson ballet, Eyes That Gently Touch. Three couples, Nancy Maas/Alexei Kremnev, Ellen Kent/Christophe Maraval and Anna Reznik/Jason Cisler, gloriously rendered a Philip Glass score to Ron J. Matson's touching piano interpretation.
Swan Lake 5/31/98	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	As it turned out, Russian dancers Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev, hired by the company a few months earlier, were experts in the classics and had been primed for such roles in their Bolshoi Ballet training days. The rest is history: The company pulled together, parts were quickly shuffled, the Russian couple danced the leads beautifully and have created an excitement that's been reflected in enthusiastic audience response.
Lady of the Camellias 10/3/98	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	Friday night's performance had the exquisite services of Anna Reznik as the courtesan Marguerite and Alexei Kremnev as her intense young lover Armand.
Lady of the Camellias 10/3/98	Carol Norris Enquirer	This was Cincinnati Ballet's first stab at the work and it should become a vital part of its repertory. It's a suitable outlet for the buoyant, youthful dancers, who looked more polished for Friday's opening than ever. Handling the demanding leads, Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev are flawless. Mr. Kremnev's Armand is wonderfully nuanced, not overly dramatic or self-pitying; Ms. Reznik is an impeccable artist, one who draws you in with her delicacy. The 1,600 in the audience were on their feet.
Fall Series 1998/99 11/7/98	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	Anna Reznik and Cameron Caldwell are given a poetic pas de deux.
Nutcracker Ball 12/8/98	Judy Dalambakis & Mindy Brooks Cincinnati Post	Adding the finishing magical touch was a performance by principal dancers Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev of an excerpt from the snow scene in the "Nutcracker."
The Nutcracker 12/19/98	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	Opening night brought the elegant dancing of Anna Reznik, as the Sugar Plum Fairy, who is partnered here by the Nutcracker Cavalier (Alexei Kremnev). ... Ms. Reznik and Kremnev bring moving sensitivity to this grand pas de deux. Several of the moves end with Ms. Reznik romantically leaning on a diagonal with Kremnev supporting - almost like a swoon for the Sugar Plum Fairy... ... Kremnev's great rapid movements circling the stage in the second solo were full of control and exciting to watch.
The Nutcracker 12/19/98	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev danced a regal Sugar Plum Fairy and Cavalier ...
Calendar 1999
Rubies 2/13/1999	By Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	... Karyn Lee Connell, Alexei Kremnev and Joy Detherage, mix elegance and some hip-swiveling in Balanchine's glittering 'Rubies.'
Beyond Innocence 2/13/99	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	Christophe Maraval rises in pointe shoes while Anna Reznik wears the helmet in a lovely pas de deux that asks you to look at partnering in an unexpected way. Ms. Reznik's and Maraval's pas de deux, at first, is as studied as the attention of the 1,800-member audience. But at last toe shoes and the helmet are symbolically removed. Now, freed of all role playing, the couple dances with abandon.
Magazine Article April, 1999	Janet Light Dance Magazine	... Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev have added luster to whatever work they've happened to be dancing. The complete article may be viewed by clicking here.
Aria 10/23/99	by Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	Principal dancer Alexei Kremnev makes "Aria" an exultant demonstration of how Caniparoli employs the body. The work opens with Kremnev in a mask, hovering low near the stage floor on extended legs. As the intensity of the music increases, Kremnev abandons the mask. Then come wonderful bends of the torso, leg extensions and jubilant lifts of arms.
Aria 10/23/99	By Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	Alexei Kremnev danced "Aria," ... passionate artistry, the movement of his arms and torso exquisite as he enveloped the space. It's hard to imagine anyone else pulling this solo off — which is probably why he's doing it all four performances.
Butterfly 10/23/99	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	... Reznik '' dances to Puccini - then applause" ...
Butterfly 4/24/99	Cindy Starr Cincinnati Post	The muscular Maraval was a perfect foil for Reznik, who looked as delicate and weightless as a real butterfly during the lifts. With gossamer wings Ms. Reznik catches the soul of the delicate, endearing Butterfly. In this emotional roller coaster, she is its core. The Russian-born ballerina, who conveyed to perfection the fragility and courage of the betrayed Butterfly and the depths of her despair, was showered with bravos and a spontaneous standing ovation.
Nutcracker 12/18/99	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	It takes 100 minutes before Anna Reznik, as the Sugar Plum Fairy, blends refinement and risk in the Cincinnati Ballet's 26th annual production of Tchaikovsky's melodious "Nutcracker." She's worth the wait. Resplendent Friday night at Music Hall in a glittering purple tutu, Ms. Reznik seemed to be almost shooing away her partner prince (the splendid Alexei Kremnev). Standing steeplestraight in an unsupported arabesques - gracefully extending one leg while standing on pointe - she balanced there so long alone she brought a new definition to eternity.
Nutcracker 12/19/99	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	The most satisfying is the grand pas de deux for Sugar Plum Fairy (Anna Reznik) and the Nutcracker Prince (Alexei Kremnev). Ms. Reznik and Mr. Kremnev luxuriate in the music. Her balances on pointe are held sensationally long; his jumps are clean and his command of the stage engaging. Action stopped before their solo variations so the crowd (2,300 at Friday's opening) could show its appreciation of the pas de deux.
Calendar 2000
Three Musketeers 2/5/00	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	Anna Reznik is a tigress as Milady, displaying a wickedness in nearly every turn and kick she takes as the ballet's protagonist.
Three Musketeers 2/5/00	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Enquirer	Anna Reznik, as the sly and evil Milady who steals the necklace from the Queen's lover, has a cool, seductive dance before Buckingham with the cardinal's four guardsmen as partners.
No Oblivion 3/12/00	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	... The highlight was the presence of the lyrical Anna Reznik.
Giselle 4/16/00	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	The most beautiful pas de deux is the second one in the ballroom scene, where Ms Reznik and Kremnev work close in to each other's bodies in a duet of great passion. Ms. Reznik captured the delicate style - the movements always remind me of gently releasing butterflies as the upper body caresses the air. Her petit allegro - small jumping - was on fire and her balances breathlessly long. Mr. Kremnev was touching as the heartbroken lover.
Cinderella 5/13/00	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	Anna Reznik's "Cinderella" is not the melodramatic, long-suffering creature we expect. Instead, her wistful dances are understated. We see Cinderella's carefully repressed grief at the death of her mother and the neglect of her father. We see her longing to be loved. The Hamlet-like melancholy so beautifully realized in Alexei Kremnev's distracted prince offers a perfect complement to Cinderella's sadness He searches; she waits. Kremnev underscores the prince's solitude with airy leaps and turns amid his courtiers in the second-act ballroom scene. The moves are stoically executed: The body is at court; his heart is not. The most beautiful pas de deux is the second one in the ballroom scene, where Ms. Reznik and Kremnev work close in to each other's bodies in a duet of great passion.
Cinderella 5/13/00	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	... the Prince (a charming Alexei Kremnev) and Cinderella (the radiant Anna Reznik) met for the first time and danced their duets and solo variations. They were wonderful as always ... Ms. Reznik dances with understatement and is quietly unassuming. It's a delightful approach that reflects in a feeling of lightness whenever her character is performing. With his blond Russian features, Mr. Kremnev looks like the perfect prince — and dances with clean precision.
Aquilarco 11/18/00	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	Val Caniparoli's "Aquilarco" shows why Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev are such a hot item. On a bare stage in simple black costumes, they eased through the sleek, angular and athletic work.
Nutcracker 12/16/00	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	The star treatment was reserved for the Sugar Plum Fairy - Anna Reznik - and her Nutcracker Prince - Alexei Kremnev. With their first appearance, the audience applauded; their usual electricity showed in elegant and classy interpretations.
Nutcracker 12/16/00	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	Of course, the major focus is on the Sugar Plum Fairy. This role is especially suited for Anna Reznik. The ruler of the Kingdom of Sweets is not dying or under any curse. The role is pure technique and Ms. Reznik seems to revel in making the beautiful arabesques (she lingered confidently in one unsupported arabesque that requires one leg extended while the other is on pointe).
Calendar 2001
Romeo and Juliet 2/10/01	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	For the famed balcony scene, Ms. Reznik displays shyness that gives way to the throes of romance in a beautiful and leisurely pas de deux: with Alexei Kremnev as Romeo. In the final tomb scene, when Juliet awakens from her barbiturate drug and sees that Romeo is dead, her face forms a mask of tragedy. Ms. Reznik doesn't scream but her expression of grief is so intense, we think we have heard the wail.
Romeo and Juliet 2/11/01	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	Prokofiev originally provided a happy ending so that Romeo and Juliet could live happily ever after. Of course that's not Shakespeare's story so he ended up changing it, but with the breathless rapture Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev bring to the early scenes maybe his idea wasn't such a bad one. There's an underlying dread knowing this unbridled bliss has to end. Ms. Reznik goes from childlike innocent to infatuated teen to tragic lover with seamless grace. Mr. Kremnev as her ardent lover brings passion to the role, but with a tender sweetness.
Coppelia 4/7/01	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznik couldn't have been more right for the squabbling lovers, Franz and Swanilda. Their Russian training has prepared them well for all the tasks they're given. Ms. Reznik masters tiny hops on pointe, balances that stay and beats with feet that barely touch the floor. Mr. Kremnev breezes through his leaps, cool and poised, and brings a fire to the folk dances.
Departure 10/05/01	Carol Norris Cincinnati Enquirer	Principal dancer Rene Micheo, who has often partnered Ms. Reznik, said of her, "She's irreplaceable. She's been a jewel for the company. In the history of this company, she holds the gold medal."
Departure 10/5/01	Jerry Stein Cincinnati Post	Principal dancers Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev have been the most celebrated dancers in the company since their arrival here from the Moscow Festival Ballet in the 1997-98 season.
Departure 10/25-30/01	Kathy Valin Cincinnati CityBeat	... Reznik, whose tensile strength is tempered by butterfly lightness ... Victoria Morgan: "They've taken this company to new heights." ... Principal dancers Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev have been the most celebrated dancers in the company since their arrival here from the Moscow Festival Ballet in the 1997-98 season. ...