New York City Center will be graced with the return of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater December 2nd through January 3rd. This season, dance aficionados will have a plethora of enticing performance offerings to choose from including world premieres, company premieres and brand new productions, in addition to several returning performances.
World Premieres
Robert Battle’s Awakening
Battle uses his taut, ritualistic style to powerful effect in a dance that expertly balances chaos and resolution, dissonance and harmony. His first new work since becoming artistic director in 2011 is set to a symphonic score by frequent collaborator John Mackey.
Rennie Harris’ Exodus
In an electrifying piece called “one of the best made for Ailey in recent years” (The New York Times), Harris imbues his signature house dance moves with uncommon depth.
Ronald K. Brown’s Open Door
Renowned for his fusion of African and modern dance, Brown adds new flavor to his signature style, setting this work to recordings by Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra.
Kyle Abraham’s Untitled America: First Movement
In the first installment of a 3-part suite to be completed in 2016, Abraham – a MacArthur ‘genius grant’ winner – explores the lasting impact of the prison system on individuals and their families.
Company Premieres
Robert Battle’s No Longer Silent
A long-forgotten score by Erwin Schulhoff, a Jewish composer banned in Nazi Germany, inspired this searing, large ensemble work, which shows off “a different side of Ailey” (The New York Times).
Paul Taylor’s Piazzolla Caldera
Astor Piazzolla’s fiery tango music sets the stage for a series of sizzling encounters – some predatory, some playful.
New Productions
Alvin Ailey’s Blues Suite
Ailey’s first masterpiece launched his company in 1958 and still poignantly conjures the sorrow, humor and humanity of the music he called “hymns to the secular regions of the soul.” Performed with a live, on-stage band.
Judith Jamison’s A Case of You
This duet – an excerpt from Jamison’s 2005 Reminiscin’ – is a “steamy, emotionally intense” (The New York Times) showstopper danced to Diana Krall’s sultry rendition of the classic Joni Mitchell song.
Alvin Ailey’s Cry
Ever since Judith Jamison debuted this tour-de-force in 1971, it has been an unforgettable standout in the Ailey repertory, depicting the struggle of women throughout history who overcame ruthless hardship to arise triumphant.
Alvin Ailey’s Love Songs
A male counterpart to Cry, this lyrical solo from 1972 offers an emotional journey through love and longing, to a suite of songs recorded by Donny Hathaway and Nina Simone.
Talley Beatty’s Toccata
This high-spirited romp – a section from Beatty’s longer work, Come and Get the Beauty of It Hot – evokes the energy of the city streets, illuminating his genius for using the jazz idiom to its fullest expressive and musical effect.
Returning favorites include After the Rain Pas de Deux, Bad Blood, Caught, Four Corners , Grace, LIFT, Memoria
Night Creature, ODETTA, Polish Pieces,Revelations and Uprising
If you haven’t yet experienced the exciting, powerfully inspired creativity that defines an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance, this season at the New York City Center is bound to make you a lifetime fan. The website even has a handy tool to assist you in selecting the best performances for you whether its your first time attending or you are a long time supporter. With tickets starting at $25, this is a season you don’t want to miss. For more information, click here.
