Repertory Dance Theatre Sets 50th Anniversary Season

Repertory Dance Theatre is the nation's oldest and most successful repertory dance company. For 50 years, we've been pushing the boundaries of modern dance, while preserving its legacy. It was radical when a bunch of Utah modern dancers beat out the big city stalwarts to receive a Rockefeller grant establishing us as the nation's first repertory dance company. Today, we're just as revolutionary as we were in 1966.

Unlike conventional modern dance organizations, we present you with a diverse range of modern dance styles and choreographers paired together in dynamic and unexpected performances. Our 50th Anniversary season encapsulates that idea, pairing together some of modern dance's original ground breakers with revolutionary world premieres. Some of our most treasured choreographers return to set contemporary classics and create innovative commissions.

The Company will open the season with RITUAL, October 1-3, 2015. This transcendent concert includes contemporary classics that feature constantly evolving patterns infused with ceremonial memory. With the time-honored, "Energizer" by Molissa Fenley, and other works by RDT alumnus Tim Wengerd, and Zvi Gotheiner, as well as the re-staging of audience favorite, "Pigs & Fishes" by Elisa Monte.

REVEL, November 19-21, 2015, is a celebratory acknowledgement of RDT's alumni dancers and choreographers, with an emphasis on works that are full of levity and joyous energy. The performance will feature three world premieres, the first by RDT alum, Bill Evans featuring live music by 3hattrio with the local, Emmy-Award winning songwriter and musician Hal Cannon. The second new commission is by world-renowned comedic performer Claire Porter. In addition, choreography by Jacque Lynne Bell will pay tribute to Virginia Tanner and the seven RDT alumni dancers who have gone through the Tanner Dance / Children's Dance Theatre program.

In February, REGALIA, will take the place of the annual fundraiser, CHARETTE. REGALIA will still feature record-breaking choreography (all by RDT alumni) but will also include a full gala dinner and reception. With two pricing options (with or without dinner), this will be both a performance and a lively party. The evening will finish with a live band and dancing for all on stage at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center.

The finale of RDT's milestone anniversary will pay tribute to the modern dance legend, Jose Limon, with REVERE (April 14-16, 2016). RDT Dance has performed Limon's work since 1967, and will honor him with a performance of two of his classics. "Missa Brevis" (first performed by RDT in 2013) will be paired with the new acquisition of "Mazurkas." RDT will be collaborating with Brady Allred and The Salt Lake Vocal Artists in live performances of Zoltan Kodaly's "Missa Brevis" for mixed chorus and organ.

RDT Dance's 50th Anniversary season will not only celebrate 50 years of revolutionary dance, but will also propel us into the next half century. "Been awhile since you've seen RDT?" says founding member of Repertory Dance Theatre Linda C. Smith. "Come see us again for the first time."

*** RDT's 50th Anniversary Season

RITUAL (Oct. 1-3, 2015)

• "Chant" (1967) by Tim Wengerd
• "Energizer" (1980) by Molissa Fenley - *new acquisition
• "Pigs and Fishes" (1982) by Elisa Monte
• "Dabke" (2012) by Zvi Gotheiner - *new acquisiton

REVEL (November 19-21, 2015)

• Tribute to Virginia Tanner - *world-premiere
• "Sentence to Sentence" by Claire Porter - *world-premiere
• "Jack" by Joanie Smith *Utah premiere
• World-premiere by Bill Evans with live music by 3hattrio and Hal Cannon

REGALIA (February 20, 2016)

• RDT's annual fundraising gala featuring live choreography and a lively party.

REVERE (April 14-16, 2016)

• "Mazurkas" by Jose Limon - *new acquisition
• "Missa Brevis" by Jose Limon (with guest dancers from the University of Utah)

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