By Kristi Casey Sanders
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has presented shows at The Fox Theatre since the early 1980s, when local fans including Coretta Scott King and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young would visit backstage. The company’s technically precise, physically impressive and emotionally engaging shows have been an annual fixture since the 1996 Olympics. From Thursday, Feb. 28, to Sunday, March 2, the Ailey dancers present two programs of new and classic works at the Fox, including encore performances of three works from last year’s program.
The common thread running through all five shows is closing number “Revelations,” choreographer Alvin Ailey’s tribute to his childhood influences. Program No. 1 (Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 8 p.m.) spotlights the company’s contemporary side with a new adaptation of the classic Maurice Béjart ballet “Firebird,” emerging choreographer Camille A. Brown’s “The Groove to Nobody’s Business” (2007) and Robert Battle’s 2005 piece, “Unfold.”
Last year’s offerings spotlighted dancer Renee Robinson’s 25th anniversary with the company, so every show had a slightly different program, making it impossible to see every piece, unless you were willing to catch three or more shows. Program No. 2 presents three of the highlights of the 2007 tour – “Revelations” (1960), “Night Creature” (1975) and “Love Stories” (2004) – plus choreographer Ailey’s 1962 tribute to Duke Ellington, “Reflections in D.”
Here’s a brief synopsis of each piece:
Revelations: Alvin Ailey’s most famous work, a celebration of the gospel and spiritual music Ailey grew up with in 1930s Texas.
Firebird: A traditional fairytale as allegory of revolution, idealism and rebirth, played out against Igor Stravinsky’s glorious score.
The Groove to Nobody’s Business: Emerging choreographer Camille A. Brown (one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch”) uses pedestrian movements and ordinary interactions to create extraordinary encounters.
Unfold: Robert Battle’s sensuous, swirling duet evokes the tenderness and ecstasy in Gustave Charpentier’s aria, sung by diva Leontyne Price.
Night Creature: A tribute to Duke Ellington’s jazz idiom, the piece is filled with nocturnal rituals, humor and humanity.
Reflections in D: Another Duke Ellington tribute, the ballet (originally an Ailey solo) is masterful as performed by the formidable Ailey dancers.
Love Stories: An exploration of exuberant dance past, present and future, integrating Alvin Ailey choreography, African-American social dances and contemporary dance.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater plays The Fabulous Fox Theatre from Feb. 28-March 2.
