Sokolow Theater/Dance Ensemble to Present Works by Anna Sokolow at 14th Street Y, 12/3-7

The Sokolow Theater/Dance Ensemble will present three works by Anna Sokolow (1910-2000), international pioneer of American Modern Dance, December 3-7 at the Theater of the 14th Street Y.

Early on, Sokolow broke away from the limitation of pure, abstract movement and turned to the incorporation of all the arts -- dance, theater, poetry, painting, and multi-media. Her works, revealing both the lyric and stark aspects of the human experience, are as relevant today as they were when this iconic and uncompromising choreographer first created them.

A longtime teacher at Juilliard, The Actor's Studio and the HB Studio, among others, she had a profound effect on her dancing and acting students.

Just a few remarks about Sokolow's training and influence:

- "She has influenced us all"...............................Jerome Robbins

- "I learned more about acting in her dance classes than I did with any of the acting teachers I studied under at Juilliard"......Patti LuPone

- "Her class was amazing! If she saw a push-up, she would say 'what is that?' I don't want to ever see a movement without an emotion attached to it!'"...................................................Kevin Kline

The Sokolow Dance/Theater Ensemble, now under the artistic direction of Jim May, will perform a program entitled "Anna's Americana:

- "Preludes" (1984) music by George Gershwin, played live by Amir Khosrowpour
- "Homage to Edgar Allan Poe" (1993), music by Rachmaninoff, played live by Khosrowpour
- "Frida" (1997), Sokolow's last work, created when she was 87 years old. Her homage to her friend Frida Kahlo.

The program also includes guest Clay Taliaferro, dancing "Are We There Yet" with Jim May. The duet was created in 2000 by Alan Danielson, who sadly passed away earlier this year. The December 5th Gala will be dedicated to the life and artistry of Danielson.

Performances December 3, 4, 5, 6 at 8 PM; Sunday December 7 at 3 PM at Theater of the 14th Street Y, 344 East 14th Street.