Review Roundup: Dance Theatre Of Harlem

Dance Theatre of Harlem returned for their annual NYC season at the New York City Center, April 19-22, 2017. Some highlights of the season included a special performance by Grammy-Winning Recording Artist India.Arie, NY as well as premieres by Robert Garland, Francesca Harper, and José Limón, and other favorites by Dianne McIntyre and Darrell Grand Moultrie.

Let's see what the critics had to say...

New York Times, Brian Seibert: "Very much in a mode of George Balanchine, who was a godfather to this troupe, and his vision of the symmetries and hierarchies of French-Russian classicism, "Brahms Variations" is exceedingly polite, but such decorum and taste are rare enough to astonish. Moreover, what Mr. Garland has characterized as "Harlem Swag" comes across in his subtle musicality, which seems attached to the underpinnings of the score, with movement and music syncing at just the right moments."

BroadwayWorld, Caryn Cooper: "The piece is divided into four sections- Light, Belief, Love, and Abundance. It is based on the idea that a journey is cyclic and that we should all be infused with something beautiful that can be transferred to others. It was just delightful. The dancers were flawless as they moved with such grace across the stage. The duets and partner work throughout the piece were amazing. Excellent piece."

ZealNYC, Mercedes Vizcaino: "The level of passion demonstrated by the extraordinary dancers commanded your attention. The detailed costumes and lighting were instrumental in setting the mood for this timeless story. Following Swan Lake, was Chaconne, a collaboration between the Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Limón Company Members. A chaconne is a form of bawdy dance derived from the Spanish colony in Peru in the 16th Century. Once banned by the Spanish court and resurrected by Louis XIV, the king danced chaconnes in his own court, as it encapsulates the illuminating universal qualities of humanity, humility and grace."