Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to New York City Center, 131 West 55th St., between 6th Ave. and 7th Ave. from Dec.1, 2010 – Jan. 2, 2011 with exciting performances that have become a joyous holiday tradition.
Led by the renowned Judith Jamison in her final year as artistic director, and joined by artistic director designate Robert Battle, Ailey’s extraordinary artists will move audiences with their brilliant artistry and passionate spirit in a series of nine premieres and new productions, along with a variety of repertory favorites and special programs.
The Dec. 1 Opening Night Gala Benefit, with all proceeds going to support Ailey’s innovative educational and training programs for young people, will kick off a year-long tribute to five decades of Alvin Ailey’s Revelations, an American classic called a must-see for all people. The celebration will continue with live music, specially staged performances and other activities to be announced at a later date.
For one extraordinary week, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis will join the Ailey dancers for Ailey/Jazz, a joyous live music celebration of America’s two great art forms – modern dance and jazz music and two great jazz artists – Duke Ellington and Dizzy Gillespie. The program features the first full production in over 30 years of Three Black Kings, resulting from Alvin Ailey’s legendary collaboration with the great Duke Ellington, and The Winter In Lisbon, Billy Wilson’s tribute to Dizzy Gillespie and the four-decade career of this consummate jazz musician.
Among the premieres, former Company Member Christopher L. Huggins pays tribute to Ailey’s past, present and future with Anointed, featuring the music of Moby and Sean Clements. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will also debut The Hunt, Robert Battle’s explosive tour-de-force for six men, and The Evolution of a Secured Feminine, Camille A. Brown’s witty exploration of the notions of femininity. Ailey’s performances mark the first time anyone other than Ms. Brown will perform the solo.
New productions of significant works from the Ailey repertory will be shared with today’s audiences, including: Forgotten Time, Judith Jamison’s quietly uplifting work set to the haunting, other-worldly sounds of Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares; and Prodigal Prince, a colorful and lavish depiction of real and imagined events in the life of the renowned Haitian painter Hector Hyppolite that was choreographed, composed and designed by Geoffrey Holder.
In addition to Three Black Kings, other major Alvin Ailey works will be performed: Cry, Ailey’s birthday gift for his mother, created on his muse, Judith Jamison, and taught by her to subsequent generations of Ailey women; and Mary Lou’s Mass, a celebration of life, jazz and gospel that was recently revived for the centennial of the birth of composer Mary Lou Williams.
Throughout the season, Ailey’s extraordinary artists will move audiences with a diverse repertory that represents 23 ballets by 15 choreographers, including favorites such as Ulysses Dove’s Vespers, George Faison’s Suite Otis and Alvin Ailey’s Memoria, which will feature performances by some of the most talented students from The Ailey School.
In an exciting finish to the season, a special finale program on January 2 will celebrate Judith Jamison with a one-night-only performance tribute featuring special guest artists.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater inspires all in a universal celebration of the human spirit, using the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition. Share in the incomparable sense of joy, freedom, and spirit that bring audiences around the globe to their feet night after night – you don’t just see an Ailey performance, you feel it.
Tickets starting at $25 have been on sale from September 7. For further information, visit: www.alvinailey.org
