AILEY’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON AT NEW YORK CITY CENTER COMES TO A CELEBRATORY CLOSE WITH PREMIERES, CLASSICS, AND HOLIDAY REVELATIONS
New Production of Juba on December 21, Seven More Chances for Revelations, and Special Season Finale on December 30
Give the Gift of Ailey with Special Discounts on Upcoming Performances
Try a Dance or Fitness Class for Free at Ailey Extension with Performance Ticket Stub
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There are just 13 chances left to see Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s holiday engagement at New York City Center before the season finale on December 30 at 7:30pm. Highlights include tonight’s new production of Robert Battle’s Juba; continuation of Timeless Ailey, Three Visionaries, All Battle, and All New programs; a one-time-only Wednesday matinee performance on December 26; and a Special Season Finale featuring excerpts of this season’s thrilling premieres, culminating with Alvin Ailey’s timeless and inspiring masterpiece Revelations.
Tonight, Ailey’s All Battle program features a new production of Artistic Director Robert Battle’s first work for the Company, Juba (2003). The quartet explores ritual and folk traditions in modern society against an original score by frequent collaborator John Mackey. The program also includes Ella, No Longer Silent, In/Side, and Mass (repeats Dec 23 eve, 27). The weekend continues with Timeless Ailey on Saturday, December 22 (mat + eve), featuring two acts of rarely seen excerpts from works by the Company’s founder concluding with his masterpiece, Revelations (repeats Dec 30 mat). The Three Visionaries program, showcasing repertory by Ailey’s three artistic directors Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, and Robert Battle, returns December 23 (mat) and for a one-time-only matinee performance on Wednesday, December 26.
Next week, enjoy acclaimed premieres for the final time in their entirety, including Jessica Lang’s luminous EN(Dec 26 eve), Ronald K. Brown’s The Call, a self-described “love letter to Mr. Ailey” (Dec 29 mat), the first staging on an American company of Wayne McGregor’s Kairos(Dec 29 mat + eve), and hip-hop pioneer Rennie Harris’ two-act triumph Lazarus, described as “something like heaven” by The New York Times (Dec 29 eve). Other performances this week include favorites like Jamar Robert’s Member’s Don’t Get Weary, recently included in The Washington Post’s Best Dance of 2018 list (Dec 26 eve, 28), Artistic Director Robert Battle’s gripping solo In/Side(Dec 27 + 28), and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar’s Shelter, a riveting portrait of homelessness (Dec 28).
Ailey is sharing a special offer to help New Yorkers join in the celebration this holiday season: save 25% on tickets $55+ when you use the promo code CELEBRATE for performances from Sunday, December 23rd evening through Friday, December 28th. Experience the magic of Ailey during this milestone season.
After experiencing Ailey at New York City Center, audiences are invited to try an Ailey Extension dance class for free with their performance ticket stub (offer expires after 60 days). Start New Year’s resolutions off on the right foot by trying one of Ailey Extension’s 25 different dance and fitness techniques, ranging from ballet to New York Style Mambo to Horton, the modern dance technique seen throughout Alvin Ailey’s classic works.
After ringing in the new year, Ailey’s 32 renowned dancers will embark on a 21-city North American tour from February 1 – May 12. For more information, visit www.alvinailey.org
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“As great as they are, I don’t believe I’ve ever seen the Ailey dancers perform quite this well before.”
Joan Acocella, The New Yorker
“Ailey’s troupe, timeless yet current… The ‘Timeless Ailey’ program shows just how many different kinds of dance Ailey could make, and how well.”
Alastair MacCaulay, The New York Times
“’Revelations,’ the masterpiece foundation of the whole enterprise and a visceral reminder of what the company encapsulates and why people keep coming back for it.”
Brian Seibert, The New York Times
“[Ronald K.] Brown and Mr. [Rennie] Harris…make the troupe’s 60th anniversary one to claim.”
Robert Greskovic, The Wall Street Journal
“Mr. Harris gives us something like heaven.” [The New York Times on Lazarus]
Brian Seibert, The New York Times
“For Ailey’s extraordinary troupers, [Rennie Harris] has fashioned a maze of vintage steps more exhilaratingly complex than anything you’ll find on YouTube or on the streets. The audience goes crazy…”
Apollinaire Scherr, Financial Times
“…The Call — Mr. Brown’s seventh piece for the Ailey company — is something of a conversation between the choreographers, a beauty of a dance that ripples along while highlighting Ailey’s formality, his ebullience and how he came to find his choreographic voice.”
Gia Kourlas, The New York Times
UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS
“ALL BATTLE” – DECEMBER 21, 23 EVE, 27
A new production of Juba, along with celebrated works Ella, No Longer Silent, In/Side, and Mass complete the special program dedicated to the works of Ailey’s Artistic Director Robert Battle.
“TIMELESS AILEY” – DECEMBER 22 MAT + EVE, 30 MAT
This special program brings over a dozen treasures from Mr. Ailey’s wonderfully rich body of work back to the stage, including highlights of seldom-seen gems Choral Dances, Mary Lou’s Mass, and The Lark Ascending as well as perennial favorites like Memoria, Night Creature, and Cry. Act I excerpts include: Blues Suite (1958), Streams (1970), Pas de Duke (1976), Mary Lou’s Mass (1971), The Lark Ascending (1972), Hidden Rites (1973), Night Creature (1974), and Cry (1971). Act II excerpts include: Phases (1980), Opus McShann (1988), For Bird – With Love (1984), Love Songs (1984), and Memoria (1979). The performance culminates with Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations.
“FAMILY MATINEE SERIES” – DECEMBER 22 MAT, 29 MAT
On Saturday afternoons, bring the whole family to enjoy the performance and stay afterwards for a free Q&A with the acclaimed Ailey dancers in the theater.
“THREE VISIONARIES” – DECEMBER 23 MAT, 26 MAT
Celebrating Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s three trailblazers, the special program features Artistic Director Robert Battle’s Mass and Ella, newly produced excerpts of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison’s Divining and Forgotten Time, and Alvin Ailey’s Cry and Revelations.
“ALL NEW” – DECEMBER 29
Program features Wayne McGregor’s Kairos (Company premiere) and Rennie Harris’ Lazarus (world premiere).
SPECIAL SEASON FINALE – DECEMBER 30 EVE
Ailey’s holiday season ends with a Special Season Finale that includes excerpts of this season’s premieres, culminating with the jubilant Revelations.
AILEY EXTENSION WORKSHOP: CELEBRATING ALVIN AILEY WITH JUDITH JAMISON – JANUARY 5 AT 3PM
On what would have been Mr. Ailey’s 88th birthday, Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamisonwill conduct a Celebrating Alvin Ailey workshop on Saturday, January 5 at 3pm. In this two-hour workshop open to dancers of all levels and backgrounds, the rich history and creative complexities of Alvin Ailey’s critically-acclaimed choreography will be explored with live accompaniment. Assisted by Company member Khalia Campbell, Ms. Jamison will break down Ailey’s stirring choreography and infuse the movement with her own unique style and clear focus on musicality. One of the most influential American dance figures of the late 20th century, Ms. Jamison fulfills Alvin Ailey’s belief that “dance came from the people and that it should always be delivered back to the people,” with this deeply personal study of his artistic legacy.
