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Dance Fri Feb 21 2014
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: New Chicago Premieres & Classic Favorites
AAADT's L. Sims & J. Roberts in Aszure Barton's LIFT; photo: Paul Kolnik.
Robert Battle, in his third year as Artistic Director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, returns for the company's annual Chicago performances at the Auditorium Theatre.
"It always feels like 'coming home' when the company arrives in Chicago and we are embraced by the Auditorium audiences," said Battle. "We are thrilled to continue that long-standing tradition in 2014."
This year's engagement boasts a mix of classic and traditional Ailey staples including Revelations, as well as four Chicago premieres: Chroma, Wayne McGregor's ballet that showcases his "curiosity of a concept freed from whiteness and the drama of the human body"; Bill T. Jones' award-winning D-Man in the Waters (Part 1), a work "inspired by one of his dancers who died of AIDS"; Four Corners, created by renowned choreographer Ronald K. Brown; and LIFT, Aszure Barton's inaugural work for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which highlights the physical dexterity and energy of the Ailey dancers.
The program also includes homage to the music of Duke Ellington, with works under the "Ailey/Ellington" series: Night Creature; The River, originally performed by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1980; and Pas de Duke, Ailey's tribute to famed dancer Judith Jamison and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
See Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Pkwy., Feb. 28-Mar. 9; show days and times vary. Tickets are $32-$92 and are on sale online, by phone at 800-982-ARTS (2787), or at the theater box office.
Crystal / February 21, 2014 3:00 PM
Great article!
I am impressed to see that the dancers are paying homage to Duke Ellington. What a treat!