Festival Ballet’s Up Close On Hope series usually presents a plethora of short pieces ranging from classical ballet to comedic devices. This time around things are different. Bill Gale says the change works.

“Up Close on Hope” will be shown at Festival Ballet in Providence through February 14th. Bill Gale reviews the performing arts for Rhode Island Public Radio.

Bill Gale has had a widely varied career (including a stint as an air traffic controller) before dedicating himself to The Providence Journal for 35 years — 25 of those as the Journal's theater...