Joyce Theater to Present U.S. Debut of MalPaso Dance Company, 5/27-6/1

The Joyce Theater will present the U.S. debut of Cuba's MalPaso Dance Company, performing the U.S. premieres of works by Ronald K. Brown and the company's artistic director Osnel Delgado, from May 27 - June 1. This engagement on the stage of The Joyce's landmark Chelsea home marks the first time MalPaso will perform outside of Cuba since the company's 2012 formation. Tickets range in price from $10-$59 ($26-$44 for Joyce Theater members), and can be purchased through JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800 or via the internet at www.joyce.org. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street.

Founded in December 2012 under the artistic direction of Osnel Delgado, MalPaso Dance Company expresses the passion and uncertainties that define Cuban life and are embodied in the country's rich dance tradition. For its New York debut, the company exhibits its trademark fresh contemporary spirit in a program featuring a new work, Why You Follow by Ronald K. Brown. The piece, danced by nine members of MalPaso, including artistic director Delgado, takes audiences on an ultimately celebratory journey from grief and compassion to utter liberation. Featuring Brown's signature and irresistible blend of African, Cuban and Western dance set to a profound score of world music, Why You Follow was commissioned by The Joyce Theater and created during a three-week residency this past March in Cuba, where it made its acclaimed world premiere. Also on the program is 24 Hours and a Dog, a new contemporary dance piece by Delgado set to music by Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer Arturo O'Farrill (who will perform LIVE with members of the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble at select performances*).

Ronald K. Brown has been making dances since the second grade, growing up in the Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn, New York. He studied extensively with Mary Anthony, whose technique includes a combination of Martha Graham and Hanya Holm. Brown performed as a dancer with Jennifer Muller/The Works. Muller, Bebe Miller and Maguy Marin were very influential in his work. His dances derive from his interpretation of the human condition and refer to numerous cultural sources including history, tradition, modern and urban dance movement and dance forms from Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. Brown has choreographed for and set works on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Jennifer Muller/The Works, Jeune Ballet d'Afrique Noire, Ko-Thi Dance Company, Def Dance Jam Workshop, Ballet Hispanico and Philadanco. His theater credits include Regina Taylor's award-winning play, Crowns, and the Tony Award-winning revival of The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess starring Audra McDonald.

Delgado graduated as dancer and professor from the National Dance School in 2003. He was a member of Danza Contemporanea de Cuba (DCC) from 2003 to 2011. Delgado has received major Cuban awards including the Premio a Mejor Coreografia del Concurso Solamente Solos (Award for Best Solo Choreography), el Premio Ramiro Guerra (Ramiro Guerra Prize), as well as a Special Mention award at the VII Iberomerican "Alicia Alonso" Choreography competition in Madrid. Delgado has worked with choreographers such as Mats Ek, Rafael Bonachela, Kenneth Kvanstrom, Ja Linkens, Itzik Galili, Samir Akika, Pedro Ruiz, Isidro Rolando, and George Cespedes, among others, and has created works for DCC, Rakatan and Ebony. He serves as professor of dance at the National Dance School in Havana, Cuba.

Founded in December 2012 by two former members of Danza Contemporanea de Cuba, Osnel Delgado and Daileidys Carrazana Gonzalez, MalPaso Dance Company is committed to bringing Cuban contemporary dance into the 21st century. The company consists of 10 dancers, including Delgado and Gonzales, several of whom danced with Danza Contemporanea prior to joining MalPaso. This Joyce Theater engagement marks the company's first appearance outside of Cuba since its 2012 formation.

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