Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Launches 2014 Holiday Season Tonight
Company:
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Photo/Broadcast Opportunities: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
New York City Center Opening Night – December 3, 2014
Photographers and Camera Crews Invited to Cover Alvin Ailey’s Opening Night and
Dress Rehearsals of Dynamic Season Premieres & New Productions
WHO:
Ailey’s acclaimed dancers perform works by Matthew Rushing, Hofesh Shechter, Christopher Wheeldon, Ulysses Dove, and Jacqulyn Buglisi, all chosen by Artistic Director Robert Battle who continues to expand company’s diverse repertory.
WHERE:
New York City Center: 131 West 55th Street (Between 6th & 7th Avenues)
WHAT:
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congress as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World,” returns to New York City Center December 3rd – January 4th for an annual season that has become a joyous holiday tradition. The 39-performance engagement comes 25 years after the passing of legendary founder Alvin Ailey, who was recently recognized with the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom – the nation’s highest civilian honor.
Photo call/dress rehearsals/red carpet/performance/party are scheduled as listed below. Interviews available upon advance request.
WHEN:
Wednesday, December 3rd
12:45 pm Check-in & Set-up / 1:00 pm Dress Rehearsal - Uprising by Hofesh Shechter
(Company Premiere)
Hofesh Shechter’s critically-acclaimed Uprising, originally created in 2006, features seven men who intensely bombard the stage in an exhilarating work set to a percussive score by the choreographer himself. With a movement style that is primal and imbued with a certain high-tension energy and a natural ability to deal with big themes, the 38 year-old Israeli-born Shechter has risen to become one of Europe’s most sought-after dance creators since his move to London in 2002. Uprising is the first work by Shechter to enter the Ailey repertory.
6:10 pm Check-in & Set-up / 6:20 pm- Red Carpet Arrivals
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s five-week New York holiday engagement launches with an annual Opening Night Gala benefit honoring board retiring chairman Joan Weill. The evening’s Honorary Chairs are actor Jeffrey Wright and Sanford I. Weill. The celebration begins with a one-night-only performance at New York City Center. Expected guests include:
Gala Co-Chairs
Simin Allison Debra L. Lee
Jessica & Natan Bibliowicz Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach
Kathryn & Kenneth Chenault Marc Weill
Agnes & Gerald Hassell
Additional Special Guests
Amsale Aberra
Loraine Boyle
Maurice Dubois
Angela Gheorghiu
Efraim Grinberg
Elliot Goldenthal
Bruce S. Gordon
Judith Jamison
Boris Kodjoe
Terry Lundgren
Harry Macklowe
Michelle Miller
Marc Morial
KeKe Palmer
Nicole Ari Parker
Hofesh Shechter
Condola Rashad
Julie Taymor
Tamara Tunie
Elaine Wynn
Wendy Whelan
7:00 pm- Opening Performance (News Crews Only)
In addition to Revelations, with live music sung by the legendary Ella Mitchell, the program will include the company premiere of Hofesh Schecter’s critically-acclaimed Uprising and Artistic Director Robert Battle’s tender duet, Unfold, danced to Gustave Charpentier’s exquisite aria (“Louise, Act III, Depuis Le Jour”) sung live by opera superstar soprano Angela Gheorghiu (who appears by kind permission of the Metropolitan Opera).
If you are unavailable to attend any of these opportunities today, please also consider the following:
Additional press materials including press releases, bios, b-roll are available at pressroom.alvinailey.org.
Our sizzle reel, and season images showcase highlights of this seasons premieres and returning favorites, these materials are hi-res and formatted for TV use, and can be downloaded at the links below:
Ailey's City Center Sizzle Reel (For Broadcast)
Friday, December 5th
12:45 pm Check-in & Set-up / 1:00 pm Dress Rehearsal - After The Rain by Christopher Wheeldon
(Company Premiere)
After the Rain, world renowned choreographer Christopher Wheeldon’s dreamlike duet originally choreographed for New York City Ballet in 2005 – praised for its sublime simplicity and intricate partnering – is revealed in a fresh light as the Ailey dancers make it their own. Set to music by the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, the sensual male-female pas de deux has resonated deeply with audiences and will be the first work by Christopher Wheeldon to enter the Ailey repertory.
1:45 p.m. Check-in & Set-up / 2:00 p.m. Dress Rehearsal - Bad Blood by Ulysses Dove
(New Production)
Bad Blood, restaged by Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya, is a work by former Ailey dancer Ulysses Dove, hailed as one of the most exciting choreographers to emerge in the latter half of the 20th century. First appearing in the Ailey repertory in 1986 and set to music by Laurie Anderson and Peter Gabriel, this ballet explores the powerful yet extremely tender war between the sexes with emotional passion and boldly athletic moves.
RSVP Necessary: Dezmon Gilmore dgilmore@alvinailey.org, 212.405.9079
Photo: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Michael Francis McBride. Taken by Andrew Eccles.
