ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
Upcoming Performances
East Lansing, MI January 29, 2008 Wharton Center, 517-353-1982
Detroit, MI January 31 - February 3, 2008 Opera House, 313-961-3500
New Bedford, MA February 5, 2008 Zeiterion Theatre, 508-994-2900
ALVIN AILEY II NORTH AMERICAN TOUR
Upcoming Performances
Helena, AR January 18, 2008 Warfield Concerts
Temple , TX January 20, 2008 Cultural Activities Center Inc. , 254-773-9926
Duncan, OK January 22, 2008 Simmons Center, 580-252-4160
Press Contacts: Helene Davis, 212.354.7436 helene@helenedavispr.com ANNOUNCES Christopher Zunner, 212.405.9028 czunner@alvinailey.org
2007 NEW YORK CITY CENTER SEASON
World Premieres by Camille A. Brown and Fredrick Earl Mosley
Company Premieres of
Firebird, the first complete ballet by Maurice Béjart to be presented by a U.S. dance company,
and Robert Battle’s Unfold
New Productions of Talley Beatty’s The Road of Phoebe Snow,
Alvin Ailey’s Flowers and Reflections in D
November 28 – December 31, 2007
New York, July 27, 2007 – Artistic Director Judith Jamison has announced that the 2007 New York Season of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will present world premieres by Camille A. Brown and Fredrick Earl Mosley, company premieres by Maurice Béjart and Robert Battle, three new productions of classic works, and an array of repertory favorites.
The five-week season at New York City Center, from November 28 through December 31, opens with a Gala Celebration featuring the company premiere of Maurice Béjart’s innovative reworking of Fokine’s traditional Firebird - the first complete ballet by this legendary European choreographer to be staged by a U.S. dance company as well as Judith Jamison’s re-staging of Alvin Ailey’s Reflections in D, and Ailey’s timeless Revelations with live music.
Two highly praised young choreographers who are both former students of The Ailey School will create new work: Camille Brown will use music by Ray Charles and original compositions by rising composer Brandon McCune in her work, which explores relationships that develop among strangers waiting for a subway train. Fredrick Earl Mosley will premiere his piece Saddle Up!, where the Ailey dancers kick up their heels in a collection of stories from the Old West.
The Company premiere of Robert Battle’s Unfold is a duet to a recording of music sung by Leontyne Price called a “highlight of 2005” by Dance Magazine. In addition to Judith Jamison’s re-staging of Reflections in D, Alvin Ailey’s 1962 solo that she later performed with the Company, other season highlights include new productions of two classic AAADT works: Talley Beatty’s 1959 The Road of the Phoebe Snow, an American masterpiece set to the jazz music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, and Alvin Ailey’s 1971 Flowers, inspired by the life of Janis Joplin. Both are being mounted by Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya, who is celebrating his 35th Anniversary with Ailey, and will be honored at a special performance on Tuesday, December 18.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s New York City Center Season is sponsored by Prudential Financial.
AAADT NEW YORK CITY CENTER 2007 SEASON – PAGE 2 World Premieres The Groove To Nobody’s Business Choreography: Camille A. Brown Music: Ray Charles and original compositions by Brandon McCune Camille A. Brown, formerly of Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, has choreographed a new work that explores the relationships that develop among strangers waiting for a subway train. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was awarded a commissioning grant by The Joyce Theater for the creation of this work by Ms. Brown, a recognized emerging choreographer called “one to watch” by Dance Magazine.
Saddle Up! Choreography: Fredrick Earl Mosley Music: “Appalachian Journey” by Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer & Mark O’Connor Saddle Up! is a humorous western-themed piece complete with inventive sets, props and costumes. Fredrick Earl Mosley’s high-energy work involves scenes and characters highlighting different relationships, with a raucous “hoe down” ending. Mr. Mosley established his Diversity of Dance company in 1996 and is a former student and current teacher at The Ailey School. Company Premieres Firebird (1970) Choreography: Maurice Béjart Restaged by: Shonach Mirk Robles Music: Igor Stravinsky “The Firebird Suite” An innovative interpretation of the original created by Michel Fokine for Ballets Russes in 1910, Maurice Bejart’s Firebird has been widely praised as a coming of age allegorical tale of rebellion, revolution, catharsis and rebirth. It will be the first complete ballet by this legendary European choreographer to be presented by a U.S. dance company.
Unfold (2005) Choreography: Robert Battle Music: Gustave Charpentier, sung by Leontyne Price This duet was dubbed “a highlight” by Dance Magazine at its premiere in 2005. Previously, Robert Battle choreography has been seen in two works in the repertory of both Ailey II and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
New Productions The Road of the Phoebe Snow (1959) Choreography: Talley Beatty Restaged by: Masazumi Chaya Music: Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn Considered one of Beatty’s greatest achievements, this technically challenging work was first performed by Beatty’s own company and then became a centerpiece of the AAADT repertory in 1964. The Road of Phoebe Snow, the name of a train on the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad, weaves a turbulent and gripping love story of young Americans from “the wrong side of the track.” This new production, the first by AAADT in almost three decades, received a reconstruction grant through the inaugural dance program of the National Endowment for the Arts American Masterpieces series.
Flowers (1971) Choreography: Alvin Ailey Restaged by: Masazumi Chaya Music: Janis Joplin, Pink Floyd, Blind Faith Flowers, a dramatic look at the rise and fall of a pop star inspired by the sensational life and death of Janis Joplin, is set to a selection of her music, interwoven with that of other rock songs.
Reflections in D (1962) Choreography: Alvin Ailey Restaged by: Judith Jamison Music: Duke Ellington Alvin Ailey’s eloquent solo, created in 1962 for himself and later notably interpreted by Judith Jamison and Dudley Williams, will be performed by both male and female soloists.
AAADT NEW YORK CITY CENTER 2007 SEASON – PAGE 3
Other Season Highlights
The JPMorgan Chase Family Matinee Series Bring your family to meet the Ailey family for an event to remember! For performances on Saturdays at 2pm, a limited number of JPMorgan Case Family Matinee tickets are available for the special price of $20. Buy early for the best seat selection. Following each Saturday matinee performance,
