Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Returns to PlayhouseSquare Tonight, 5/4

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congress as a vital American "Cultural Ambassador to the World," visits Cleveland's PlayhouseSquare tonight, May 4 through May 6, led by dynamic Artistic Director Robert Battle. Following critically-acclaimed sold out performances in New York City, Ailey's extraordinary dancers will move audiences in a series of premieres and new productions that launch an exciting new era in Ailey history. Presented by the U.S. Bank Star Performance Series at PlayhouseSquare.

For his first season as Artistic Director, Mr. Battle has chosen to add to the repertory a rich array of premieres and new productions that express his vision for the company while honoring some of his most significant artistic influences. The new season celebrates an American modern dance master, addresses an important social issue through hip hop and spotlights an influential female choreographer. The programming includes the revival of an iconic Alvin Ailey masterpiece, presents a signature work by the company's new leader and takes the company in new directions through improvisation and audience participation.

"This is the beginning of a new adventure-for the company, for me and for our audiences," stated Robert Battle, who became Artistic Director on July 1, 2011. "It gives me great pride to build upon the inspiring legacy of Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison. I'm excited for people across the country to witness the world's most amazing dancers as we take the next step in Ailey's inspiring journey."

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater inspires all in a universal celebration of the human spirit, using the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition. Join Ailey's unparalleled dancers for an electrifying performance that will reveal once again why Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has brought audiences around the globe to their feet night after night with an incomparable sense of freedom, spirit and joy.

Home (2011) choreographed by Rennie Harris
Bold hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris, who worked alongside Judith Jamison and Robert Battle to create Love Stories for the company in 2004, is choreographing a new work set to a soul-lifting score of gospel house music. The work is inspired by stories submitted to the "Fight HIV Your Way" contest of people living with or affected by HIV, an initiative of Bristol-Myers Squibb. Robert Battle comments: "I think Rennie is great in the way he takes a conceptual approach to hip-hop. He is bringing a unique perspective to stories that absolutely have to be told, and that ought to be realized in a dance vocabulary that comes from a new generation. The December 1st world premiere in New York City was on a day of major significance as, in addition to World AIDS Day, it is the day we lost our founder Alvin Ailey to the disease 22 years ago."

Arden Court (1981) choreographed by Paul Taylor
Modern dance master Paul Taylor supervised the staging of this technically challenging work (rarely performed by companies other than his own) on the Ailey company (the first of his works to enter the Ailey repertory). Set to a sumptuous baroque score by William Boyce, Arden Court is a richly dynamic dance featuring striking duets, solos and a men's sextet showcasing the dancers' skills and musicality. Mr. Taylor is one of the artistic inspirations for Robert Battle, whose choreography often reflects the expansive use of space that is a hallmark of Mr. Taylor's work. Robert Battle comments: "We are celebrating a lineage by adding Arden Court to the repertory since Paul came out of Martha Graham's company, and Alvin was so influenced by Martha Graham. Alvin was also a fan of Paul's work, and the two of them started their companies at about the same time. It is important that we honor this American modern dance tradition-and Arden Court gives us the opportunity to explore the physicality of the dancers in a very different way."

Minus 16 (1999) choreographed by Ohad Naharin
This work by the exciting choreographer of Black Milk (from the 2003 Ailey season) features a score ranging from Dean Martin to cha-cha, from techno-pop to traditional Israeli music. Unfolding in sections, Minus 16 uses Naharin's acclaimed "Gaga" method to break down old habits and make room for new movement and new experience, broadening the possibilities for dancers as interpreters and revealing the humanity and wit of the Ailey company. Mr. Naharin is dedicating the Ailey premiere of the work to the memory of his wife Mari Kajiwara (1951-2001), who was a dancer with the company for many years as well as Mr. Ailey's assistant. The duet from Mabul featured in Minus 16 was originally created for her in 1992. Minus 16 is based on excerpts from Mabul (1992), Anaphaza (1993), and Zachacha (1998). Robert Battle comments: "With Minus 16 we are expanding the Ailey repertory with a work unlike any other we have done. It has an edge and offers surprising new experiences for the Company and our audience. It will be both a great joy and a challenge for the dancers to improvise, break the fourth wall and invite the audience in."

Takademe (1999) choreographed by Robert Battle
For his first season as Artistic Director, Mr. Battle is bringing his fiery Takademe to the Ailey company. The complex, tightly woven rhythms of Indian Kathak dance are deconstructed and abstracted in this percussive, fast-paced work, where clear shapes and propulsive jumps mimic the vocalized rhythmic syllables of Sheila Chandra's jazzy score. Robert Battle comments: "Takademe is near and dear to me as one of my first creations. It's a work I made in the tiny living room of my old apartment in Queens. As I begin as Artistic Director, I want to acknowledge my journey, look back on what I did with so little and recognize having so very much now. Also, the work has a sense of humor, and some of my other works that have been done at Ailey were in a more serious vein. I wanted to share another aspect of myself with the Ailey audience."

Journey (1958) choreographed by Joyce Trisler
A meditative female solo, Journey is set to "The Unanswered Question" by Charles Ives, a brief, intensely evocative orchestral mood poem. A long-time friend and colleague of Alvin Ailey, Joyce Trisler performed with him in the Lester Horton Dance Theater in the early 1950s in Los Angeles and later danced and choreographed for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York. Journey was one of the early works that Alvin Ailey added to the company's repertory, in 1964, believing it would be a modern classic. Robert Battle comments: "From the first moment I saw this work many years ago I have been haunted by it, and could see the link to Horton, so it was a great education. It is sublime in its simplicity and power." The company has not performed Journey in over 20 years.

The Hunt (2001)
Choreographer: Robert Battle Music: Les Tambours du Bronx
Artistic director designate Robert Battle's athletic work for six men reveals the predatory side of human nature and the primitive thrill of the hunt. A thundering percussion soundtrack by Les Tambours du Bronx drives the explosive movement that runs the gamut from modern sports to the rituals of the gladiators. This is Mr. Battle's sixth work for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

Revelations (1960)
Choreography: Alvin Ailey Music: Traditional
This season celebrates five decades of Alvin Ailey's timeless masterpiece, Revelations, an American classic called a must-see for all people. Alvin Ailey said that one of America's richest treasures was the cultural heritage of the African-American-"sometimes sorrowful, sometimes jubilant, but always hopeful." This enduring classic is a tribute to that heritage and to Ailey's genius. Using African-American religious music – spirituals - this suite fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul.

Performance Schedule
Fri 5/4 8:00pm Home / Takademe, The Hunt / Journey, Revelations
Sat 5/5 8:00pm Arden Court / Minus 16 / Revelations
Sun 5/6 3:00pm Home / Takademe, The Hunt / Journey, Revelations

PlayhouseSquare encourages all guests to "Plan Your Visit" ahead of time by visiting playhousesquare.org and clicking the "Plan Your Visit" tab where directions, parking information, dining options, lodging, ticketing policies and other useful information designed to enhance guest experiences at PlayhouseSquare exist. Whether their visit is the first or one hundred and first, PlayhouseSquare is committed to making guest experiences both as memorable and hassle free as possible.

This performance engagement is a part of the Smart Seats program at PlayhouseSquare that offers smart entertainment at a smart price. For more information on Smart Seats, visit playhousesquare.org/smartseats.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will have three performances May 4-6 at PlayhouseSquare's State Theatre. Tickets are on-sale now and range in price from $10 - $70 each. To purchase tickets, call (216) 241-6000, log on to PlayhouseSquare.org or visit The PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office. Special discounts are offered for groups of 15 or more. Please call the Group Sales Department at (216) 664-6050 x1 for more information.

To post a comment, you must register and login.