Paul Taylor Dance Company to Perform at Auditorium Theatre, 5/17-18

After a 30 year absence, The Auditorium Theatre welcomes back the Paul Taylor Dance Company (PTDC) as they celebrate their Diamond Anniversary Tour. Hailed as part of the pantheon that created American modern dance, Paul Taylor brings three of his American masterworks to the landmark stage May 17 and 18, 2014. "Continuing to win public and critical acclaim for the vibrancy, relevance and power of his creations, the American sprit soars whenever Taylor's dancers dance" ("The San Francisco Chronicle"). Tickets ($25 - $68) are on sale now and available online at ticketmaster.com/auditorium, by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy).

"As the Auditorium Theatre approaches our 125th anniversary season, we are thrilled to celebrate both the past and present by welcoming back the Paul Taylor Dance Company to our historic stage as they too celebrate a special anniversary," said Auditorium Theatre Executive Director Brett Batterson. "It is a pleasure to present the work of a living legend who not only creates beautiful, mesmerizing pieces, but whose work tackles the issues our society faces each and every day."

Paul Taylor first presented his choreography with five other dancers in Manhattan on May 30, 1954. That modest performance marked the beginning of nearly 60 years of unrivaled creativity, and in the decades that followed, Taylor became a cultural icon as well as one of history's most celebrated artists. Over those 60 years, Taylor has created 140 dances and at 83 he continues to craft new works bringing that founding artistic vision and creativity to his own company while introducing audiences to true modern dance. Now, one of the world's most highly respected and sought-after ensembles, Paul Taylor Dance Company returns with their ever-burgeoning repertoire including "Black Tuesday," "Mercuric Tidings" and "Sunset."

"The Auditorium Theatre has always welcomed us with open arms and we are thrilled to be coming back to this historic venue after 30 years," said PTDC Executive Director John Tomlinson. "The pieces that we will perform in Chicago represent both the past and present. As the Auditorium embarks on their 125th Anniversary Season, and as we celebrate 60 years, we feel that these particular pieces embody the spirit of celebrating such incredible milestones."

PTDC Programming

"Black Tuesday"

While America was on the grip of the Great Depression, popular culture from Tin Pan Alley to Hollywood celebrated the nation's can-do-spirit. In Paul Taylor's "Black Tuesday," the choreographer recalls the valiant souls of the '30s, from Vaudevillians to doughboys, showgirls to newsgirls. Set to various songs from the Depression including the great torch tune, "The Boulevard of Broken Dreams" and the enduring anthem, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," the "Boston Globe" raves "'Black Tuesday' exemplifies what Taylor does best - allude to compelling mini-stories through lush, vivid movement."

"Mercuric Tidings"

"Mercuric Tidings," set to Franz Schubert's first two symphonies, is hailed as "one of Mr. Taylor's pure-dance works" ("The New York Times"). Stemming from Greek Mythology, the Greek messenger god Mercury brought information to both gods and men. The word "tidings" best translates as information that is brought to someone; therefore "Mercuric Tidings" refers to the messages being delivered by the god Mercury. "The New York Times" also states, "To suggest that Paul Taylor's 'Mercuric Tidings' just sings is not quite right. It is a dance work that bursts seemingly into song...music and dance are so closely entwined here that they are one."

"Sunset"

A poignant look at camaraderie among soldiers and the sweethearts they leave behind, "Sunset" marked Taylor "as one of the great war poets" ("The New York Times"). Set to the music of Elgar, "Mr. Taylor's deeply moving meditation on war, on men with women, on men with men, on loss, on memory is one of the few great dance works of the past quarter-century...Delicately presented, achingly sad" ("New York Observer").

Tickets are $25 - $68 and are available online at ticketmaster.com/auditorium, by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787) or in-person at the Auditorium's Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy). Discounted tickets available to groups of 10 or more are available by calling (312) 341-2357.