Chicago Stage Review

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Returns To The Auditorium Theatre With Six Chicao Premieres, Including Two By Artistic Director Designate Robert Battle

* Engagement Also Celebrates The 50^thAnniversary Of “Revelations” And Judith Jamison’s Final Season as Artistic Director *

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (ATRU), 50 East Congress Parkway in Chicago is proud to present the return of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, known as an American cultural ambassador to the world, for six performances and two student matinees, May 18 – 22, 2011.  The program celebrates the 50^thanniversary of the Company’s signature masterpiece “Revelations” by Alvin Ailey.  The engagement also includes six Chicago premieres (including two pieces by Artistic Director Designate Robert Battle) and marks Judith Jamison’s final season as Artistic Director.  A short film by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Judy Kinsberg, also making its Chicago premiere, will introduce all performances of “Revelations.” Tickets are now on sale, starting at just $30 and available by calling or online at .

“If there ever was a year to see Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, this is it,” explains Brett Batterson, Executive Director of the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. “The Company is at an exciting time in its history.  First, we gratefully salute the incredible legacy of Artistic Director Judith Jamison during her final season; secondly, we offer a look towards the future with several works by Robert Battle who will, in July 2011, become the third Artistic Director of the Company and lead it into exciting new directions.  In addition, we are thrilled to celebrate the 50^thanniversary of ‘Revelations,’ certainly one of the greatest dance pieces of the 20^thcentury and one of the most celebrated by an American choreographer.”

Among the six Chicago premieres are “Anointed,” (2010) in which former Ailey company member Christopher L. Huggins makes his first contribution to the company’s repertory with a new creation using music by Moby and Sean Clement.  Hailed by The New York Times as “dancer-impressive and audience-wowing,” the piece pays homage to Ailey’s present, past and future, loosely chronicling Jamison’s introduction to the company, the passing of leadership from Alvin Ailey to Jamison, and her, in turn, passing the torch to Battle.

Two works by Battle, “The Hunt,” (2001), and “In/Side,” (2008,) will have their Chicago premieres during this engagement (Ailey II performed “The Hunt” in Chicago during the Chicago Dancing Festival 2010)  “The Hunt” Battle’s athletic work for six men, reveals the predatory side of human nature and the primitive thrill of the hunt. A thundering percussion soundtrack by Les Tambours du Bronx drives the work’s explosive movement, running the gamut from modern sports to the rituals of gladiators.  The New York Times described “The Hunt” as showcasing the “virtuosic, athletic energies of the Ailey men as well as an appropriate acknowledgment of Battle’s new presence.”  In “In/Side,” the vivid emotions of Nina Simone’s “Wild is the Wind” to play out in a gripping male solo.  Battle’s bold, unrestrained signature style is evinced in this visceral cry of pure physicality. The New York Times called “In/Side” “a worthy addition to the Ailey repertoire” and describes Battle using the music “to great theatrical effect as an emotive aural layer, while the extreme, knotty movement suggests a soul damaged by more than romantic entanglements.”

Other Chicago premieres include:

“Forgotten Time” (1989). In Judith Jamison’s quietly uplifting work, the haunting, otherworldly sounds of Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares channels 12 dancers on a journey through ancient rituals and tribal rites of passage. Moments of complex partnering, dramatic imagery and breathtaking stillness are part of a sophisticated choreographic structure that evokes deep emotions and echoes with universal significance.

“The Evolution of a Secured Feminine” (2007). The female soloist in Camille A. Brown’s witty portrayal veers between uncertainty and carefree confidence to the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Betty Carter and Nancy Wilson. Using fast footwork and taut gestures, she explores the notions of femininity with humor, candor and impeccable timing.

“Three Black Kings” (1976). Alvin Ailey’s three-part ballet, set to Duke Ellington’s last major score, brings to life Balthazar, the Black King of the Nativity; Solomon, King of Israel; and Martin Luther King Jr., a personal friend of Ellington, whose triumphs are celebrated in the inspiring finale.  Sophisticated, lush and alluring, Ellington’s music became part of a legendary collaboration with Alvin Ailey and left an indelible mark on American dance.

No Ailey engagement would be complete without “Revelations,” Alvin Ailey’s iconic signature masterpiece, this year celebrating its 50^thanniversary.  “Revelations,” performed on all programs of this engagement, is a tribute to the African-American heritage and to Ailey’s genius.  Using African-American spirituals, this suite explores the places of deepest grief and the holiest joys in the soul. For the first time in Chicago, and in honor of the 50^thanniversary of this work, the piece will be introduced with a short film, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Judy Kinberg, which includes historic performance footage and interviews with Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison.

Another favorite on this season’s program is “Night Creature” (1974), the definitive Ailey homage to the exuberance of Duke Ellington’s jazz.  One of Ailey’s most classically choreographed ballets, it depicts a series of sexy nocturnal rituals that propel the movement toward a fast-paced, cathartic climax. “Suite Otis,” (1971) choreographed by former Ailey dancer and Tony Award-winner George W. Faison, is set to the timeless music of Otis Redding.

Performance schedule and programs are:

Wed., May 18 at 7:30 p.m.: Anointed*, The Evolution of a Secured Feminine*, The Hunt*, (Film*), Revelations
Thurs., May 19 at 7:30 p.m.: Night Creature, In/Side*, Forgotten Time*, (Film*), Revelations
Fri., May 20 at 7:30 p.m.: Night Creature, In/Side*, Forgotten Time*, (Film*), Revelations
Sat., May 21 at 2 p.m.: Anointed*, The Evolution of a Secured Feminine The Hunt*, (Film*), Revelations
Sat., May 21 at 8 p.m.: Three Black Kings*, Suite Otis, In/Side*, (Film*), Revelations
Sun., May 22 at 3 p.m.: Anointed*, The Evolution of a Secured FeminineThe Hunt*, (Film*), Revelations

* indicates Ailey Chicago premiere

Single tickets are now on sale and range in price from $30 - $87.  They can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at , by visiting Ticketmaster.com/auditorium or in person at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office, 50 East Congress Parkway.

There will also be student matinee performances on Thursday, May 19 and Friday, May 20 at 11 a.m. The Ailey student matinee performances are available to elementary through high school student groups of 10 or more people.  Group tickets are $12 and available by calling .

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is part of the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University’s International Dance Series.

May 18 – 22, 2011

@ Auditorium Theatre

50 East Congress Parkway, Chicago

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater photo by Andrew Eccles.

By Venus Zarris

To attempt to articulate the experience of witnessing Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is to attempt to articulate the miracle of creation. That may sound melodramatic but that is what this incomparable national treasure captures through dance that transcends genre and discipline and transforms all those who bare witness to its spectacle of miraculous movement.

For a dance company to be this world renown for over fifty years, one might think that their iconic status could lend itself to becoming stale or dated. One might think that they are just a reproduction of themselves, resting on the laurels of their reputation and recognition. But AAADT are constant inventors of bold new dance and even with the encore performance of “Revelations” (Ailey’s 1961 masterpiece) as the finale of every show, there is a singularly fresh and vital energy that charges every evening and ignites every audience.

Opening night’s program presented “Uptown”, “Dancing Spirit” and “Revelations.” Although the dance performance schedule varies, a review of these offerings gives you a solid picture of an evening with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. That is to say, the selections may vary but the euphoric experience is true regardless of the line-up.

“Uptown” opens with No More Auction Block, a slideshow of photographs depicting the African American experience from slavery to reconstruction to migration to the Harlem Renaissance. This chronology of images, and corresponding narrative, lays the contextually concrete foundation for the conceptual creations that follow.

Rent Party gets the joint jumping with explosive energy and infectious joy. Great Minds feature breathtaking solo dance performances set to the spoken words of W.E.B. DuBois and Zora Neale Hurston. The beautiful dances physically reflect the lyricism and power of these iconic writers’ remarkable literary voices. Visual Art playfully transforms painting to dance. Divas, Apples and Jazz takes us to the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem and embodies the artistry and sensuality of Florence Mills, Josephine Baker and Ethel Waters. Shuffle Along delightfully pays tribute to the first all-negro Broadway Musical. Weary Blues brings us more remarkable solo dance set to the spoken word articulations of Langston Hughes and Cotton Club closes the first act with unparalleled exuberance.

“Dancing Spirit” presents a series of dances that spring from and portray the amazing atmospheric aesthetics of jazz and tribal music. This piece incarnates a synchronized symmetry of resplendent grace. AAADT’s dancers are the golden children of American dance, depicting the very emotional nuance of the human experience through the abstract yet viscerally connective movement of bodies driven by rhythm. The physical fireworks of these explosively brilliant dancers elicits all of the oo’s and ah’s found at a grand 4^th of July display.

“Revelations” quite simply makes physical manifest the very notions of rapture and redemption. It is befitting that every evening’s performance close with this signature piece. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has been recognized through a United States Congressional resolution as a vital “American Cultural Ambassador to the World” and Revelations is proof positive that they deserve this rare honor. No matter how many times you witness this piece, it takes your breath away. It is the quintessential choreographed creation of a company that cannot be praised enough.

During intermission I spoke with an audience member who is a dancer that had studied with AAADT. He spoke of how amazing that experience was and then called Revelations the ‘Dance of the Century.’ I believe that he is correct. It was not only the dance of the 20th century but also still holds that title well into the 21st.

This year’s tour is a celebration of Judith Jamison, AAADT’s visionary Artistic Director. She was named as a “2009 TIME Magazine 100” Honoree for her influential contributions to American dance and her work with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is evidence of her genius.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs at the historic Auditorium Theatre through Sunday, March 28^th ONLY. For many it represents a yearly pilgrimage, as AAADT’s performances are as much a spiritual journey as they are an evening of world-class dance. Of all of the wonderful opportunities to see extraordinary dance in Chicago, this limited engagement is NOT TO BE MISSED. The performance will take you for the emotional ride of a lifetime and memories that will never be forgotten!

4 STARS

(“Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater” runs through March 28 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress Parkway.  )

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater photos by Andrew Eccles and Paul Kolnik.

AMERICA’S CULTURAL AMBASSADOR TO THE WORLD,

ALVIN AILEY^® AMERICAN DANCE THEATER

CELEBRATES JUDITH JAMISON’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY AS

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR WITH PERFORMANCES AT THE

AUDITORIUM THEATRE OF ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY MARCH 24 – 28

Program for exclusive Chicago engagement features an exciting mix of classic and new works by

Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, Ronald K. Brown, Rennie Harris and Matthew Rushing

*Read the 4 STAR review here: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – REVIEW - Chicago Stage Review*

CHICAGO —  (50 E. Congress Parkway) proudly presents the exclusive Chicago engagement of the world-renowned  for six public performance and two student matinees, Wednesday, March 24 through Sunday, March 28, 2010. Tickets are now on sale at .

Recognized by U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital “American Cultural Ambassador to the World,” Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is proud to bring African American artistic expression and the American modern dance tradition to the world’s stages.

The legacy of founder Alvin Ailey lives on today through the extraordinary talents and artistry of the world-renowned Ailey dancers and the remarkable vision of 2009 TIME Magazine 100 Honoree Judith Jamison, who celebrates her 20th anniversary as the company’s artistic director in this season of dance.

Since 1969, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has performed a total of 134 times on the Auditorium Theatre’s stage. The company’s Spring 2009 engagement at the Auditorium Theatre broke ticket revenue and attendance records for all prior Ailey engagements in Chicago.

Ailey’s Chicago engagement is generously supported by Blackwell Consulting Services, Inc. J.P. Morgan is the “Art of Learning” Sponsor for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

performance schedule

Wednesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m. – “Uptown,” “Dancing Spirit” and “Revelations”

Thursday, March 25 at 11 a.m. – “Uptown” (excerpt) and “Revelations” (Student Matinee Series Performance ‡)

Thursday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. – “Best of 20 Years” and “Revelations”

Friday, March 26 at 11 a.m. – “Uptown” (excerpt) and “Revelations” (Student Matinee Series Performance ‡)

Friday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m. – “Love Stories,” “Among Us (Private Places: Public Spaces)” and “Revelations”

Saturday, March 27 at 2 p.m. – “Uptown,” “Dancing Spirit” and “Revelations”

Saturday, March 27 at 8 p.m. – “Best of 20 Years” and “Revelations”

Sunday, March 28 at 3 p.m. – “Uptown,” “Dancing Spirit” and “Revelations”

‡ The student matinees are available only to elementary through high school student groups of 10 or more people.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 2010 Chicago Program

“Uptown,” a new ballet choreographed by 18-year AAADT Company veteran Matthew Rushing, takes the audience on a vibrant tour through the Harlem Renaissance era in all its boisterous, swinging glory. Legends like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Josephine Baker and their contemporaries come alive to the music of Fats Waller, Nat “King” Cole and more.

“Dancing Spirit,” a new work by choreographer Ronald K. Brown, pays tribute to Judith Jamison’s profound influence to the world of dance. Set to music by Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis and War, Brown’s evocative choreography utilizes movement from Cuba, Brazil and the United States to conjure dancing spirits who embody Jamison’s elegance, vision, dignity and generosity.

The “Best Of 20 Years” program features highlights from popular ballets Judith Jamison has brought to or revived in the Ailey repertory, representing a wide range of styles and voices that have contributed to the Ailey canon. The program includes selections from Talley Beatty’s “The Stack-Up” (1982); Ronald K. Brown’s “Grace” (1999); Lar Lubovitch’s “North Star” (1987); Alonzo King’s “Following the Subtle Current Upstream” (2000), Jawole Willa Jo Zollar’s “Shelter” (1992); Ulysses Dove’s “Bad Blood” (1984); Donald McKayle’s “Rainbow Round My Shoulder” (1959); Garth Fagan’s “Jukebox for Alvin” (1993); Redha’s “Lettres d’Amour” (1998); Hans van Manen’s “Polish Pieces” (1996); Billy Wilson’s “The Winter in Lisbon” (1992) and Donald Byrd’s “Dance at the Gym” (1991).

“Love Stories,” is Judith Jamison’s dynamic collaboration with hip-hop pioneer Rennie Harris and modern dance maverick Robert Battle. The piece was inspired by the Akan word “Sankofa,” which means “go back” (Sanko) and “take” (fa).

In “Among Us (Private Spaces: Public Places),” characters from all walks of life come together in Judith Jamison’s new collection of vignettes examining the joys and complications of human relationships. Original jazz compositions by musical iconoclast Eric Lewis and costumes by award-winning designer Paul Tazewell were inspired by a series of Jamison’s own drawings that depict these characters’ ordinary and sometimes extraordinary lives.

The finale of each program is “Revelations,” Alvin Ailey’s most significant cultural masterpiece.Ailey’s inspiration for creating “Revelations” came from a variety of sources: memories of attending Baptist services in Texas as a child, interest in Brueghal’s paintings, Oriental Theater and his acquaintances with James Baldwin and Langston Hughes. Using African American traditional spirituals, this suite fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul. Since its premiere in 1960, more people around the world have seen this modern dance classic than any other work.

ticket information

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater tickets are now on sale, and range in price from $30 - $85. For tickets, visit the Auditorium Theatre Box Office at 50 E. Congress Parkway; call Ticketmaster at (-ARTS (2787); or log on to .

The two student matinee performances of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are available for elementary through high school student groups of ten or more people, and can be booked by calling .  Tickets are $12.  The Auditorium Theatre’s Student Matinee Series is generously sponsored by The PrivateBank and The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation.

Subscriptions for the Auditorium Theatre’s 2009 – 2010 Season are also available until March 12. Subscribers to three or more shows receive 10% off full ticket prices. Discounted tickets are currently available for groups of 10 or more. For subscription and group ticket information, call or visit .

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater photos by Nan Melville and Paul Kolnik.

Click here  to read a 4 STAR review by Venus Zarris of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 50th Anniversary Celebration, THIS WEEKEND ONLY at the Auditorium Theatre.  

Whereas many of the shows that pass through the city are simply imported products, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 50th Anniversary Celebration is nothing short of amazing traveling art. DO NOT MISS this remarkable opportunity!!!

   

 

 

 

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University Announces Programming for

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 50th Anniversary Celebration in Chicago April 1 - 5

A. Douthit, G. Sims, and K. Boyd. Photo by Andrew Eccles

Opening night features a special LIVE ONSTAGE performance by 

Grammy Award-winning female a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock…

Image Copyright Holder: Petro Exis, Courtesy of Indiana University

The program for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s exclusive Chicago engagement features an exciting mix of classic and new works by Alvin Ailey, Robert Battle, Hope Boykin, Mauro Bigonzetti, George Faison and Elisa Monte…

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University (ATRU), 50 E. Congress Parkway, proudly announces programming for the 50th Anniversary celebration of the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT), performing as part of ATRU’s International Dance Series in a Chicago exclusive engagement April 1 – 5. Tickets are now on sale.

“I am incredibly proud that Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 2008 engagement at the Auditorium Theatre broke ticket revenue and attendance records for all prior Ailey engagements in Chicago, a testament to the company’s unrivaled talent and enduring popularity,” said Brett Batterson, executive director, Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. “I am also delighted that AAADT returns to our stage in April to celebrate their 50th anniversary with a dynamic and eclectic repertoire, which includes two Chicago premieres. The Auditorium Theatre’s vibrant and diverse audience in Chicago will once again have the opportunity to experience AAADT’s incredible artistry and universal appeal.”

Recently recognized by U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital “American Cultural Ambassador to the World,” AAADT performs a repertoire featuring the talents of a wide array of both established and emerging choreographers. The Chicago premiere of “Go in Grace,” choreographed by company member Hope Boykin as her first solo choreographic endeavor for AAADT, is a highlight of opening night. Boykin collaborated with Grammy Award-winning female a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock to create an original composition, including music and lyrics for the piece; the ensemble will perform LIVE ON STAGE as active participants for opening night. “Go in Grace” weaves a gentle, affecting tale of community, family and growth that illustrates the African proverb “it takes a village to raise a child.” Boykin casts the dancers and singers as members of a society who unite to move a young girl forward in wisdom and grace.

For Thursday evening’s performance, AAADT showcases 50th Anniversary Highlights, a brand new program featuring excerpts from many of Alvin Ailey’s most popular and beloved ballets spanning each decade of his phenomenal career. The audience will have the opportunity to discover rarely-seen gems and revisit favorite works including “Blues Suite” (1958), “Streams” (1970), “Choral Dances” (1971), “Mary Lou’s Mass” (1971), “The Lark Ascending” (1972), “Hidden Rites” (1973), “Night Creature” (1975), “Cry” (1971), “Phases” (1980), “Landscape” (1981), “For Bird – With Love” (1984), “Caverna Magica” (1986), “Opus McShann” (1988) and Ailey’s 1960 masterpiece “Revelations” performed in its entirety.

Another highlight of the engagement is the Chicago premiere of “Festa Barocca” to be performed on Friday and Saturday evening, by acclaimed Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti. Praised for his fresh and inventive sensibility, Bigonzetti brings his distinctly European flair to the Ailey repertory for the first time in a new ballet inspired by the aesthetic beauty of Baroque art. “Festa Barocca” tells the story of a festive party, and Bigonzetti was so inspired by the Ailey dancers’ emotional intensity and technical prowess that he cast the entire company in this ballet – a rare and special occurrence. Friday’s program also includes Elisa Monte’s sculptural, mesmerizing 1979 duet “Treading.”

The Saturday matinee performance features a new production of Alvin Ailey’s “Blues Suite,” the ballet that launched the sensational company in 1958. Blood memories of rural, Depression-era southern Texas come to life in this hugely popular ballet, in which Ailey imagined beloved but troubled characters as they gather for a bawdy night of partying and blues in an old barrelhouse.

Various programs also feature “Suite Otis” (1971) by Tony Award-winning choreographer George Faison, former AAADT company member, in which the timeless music of pioneering soul singer Otis Redding sets the stage for a playful battle of the sexes. The yearning sensuality of soul stirring Redding songs such as “Satisfaction,” “Try a Little Tenderness,” “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” and other favorites burst through this wildly popular six-part suite of dances ripe with romance and humor.

Rounding out the program offerings on Sunday are Robert Battle’s sensuous, swirling 2005 duet “Unfold” and Alvin Ailey’s “Night Creature,” a definitive homage to Duke Ellington’s jazz created in 1975. “Night Creature” captivates with Ailey’s sensual nighttime rituals, propelling the movement into a fast-paced climatic catharsis using slow jazz walks, boogie woogie and ballet arabesques to create prowling patterns and communal configurations.

The finale of each program is “Revelations,” Alvin Ailey’s most significant cultural masterpiece. Ailey’s inspiration for creating “Revelations” came from a variety of sources: memories of attending Baptist services in Texas as a child, interest in Brueghal’s paintings, Oriental Theater and his acquaintances with African American writers James Baldwin and Langston Hughes. Since its premiere in 1960, more people around the world have seen this modern dance classic than any other work.

Hope Boykin in Mauro Bigonzetti’s Festa Barocca. Photo by Steve Vaccariello

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE AND PROGRAM INFORMATION

Wednesday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. “Go in Grace” (Boykin 2008) ** ‡ / “Suite Otis” (Faison 1971) * / “Revelations” (Ailey 1960)

Thursday, April 2 at 7:30 p.m. 50th Anniversary Highlights: “Blues Suite” (1958) * / Excerpts of “Streams” (1970), “Choral Dances” (1971), “Mary Lou’s Mass” (1971), “The Lark Ascending” (1972), “Hidden Rites” (1973), “Night Creature” (1975), “Cry” (1971), “Phases” (1980), “Landscape” (1981), “For Bird – With Love” (1984), “Caverna Magica” (1986), “Opus McShann” (1988) / “Revelations”

Friday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. “Festa Barocca” (Bigonzetti 2008) ** / “Treading” (Monte 1979) , “Revelations”

Saturday, April 4 at 2 p.m. “Blues Suite” (Ailey 1958) * / “Suite Otis” * / “Revelations”

Saturday, April 4 at 8 p.m. “Festa Barocca” ** / “Treading” , “Revelations”

Sunday, April 5 at 3 p.m. “Night Creature” (Ailey 1975) , “Unfold” (Battle 2005) / “Suite Otis” * / “Revelations”

** Chicago premiere

* New production

‡ features a special live ONSTAGE performance by Sweet Honey In The Rock

“ / ” indicates an intermission and “ , “ indicates a pause

Programming is subject to change

TICKET INFORMATION

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater tickets are now on sale. Single ticket prices are 
$30 / $45 / $59 / $69 / $82. For tickets, visit the Auditorium Theatre box office at 50 E. Congress Parkway; call Ticketmaster at (-ARTS or ; or log on to ticketmaster.com. For general information, please visit 

Discounted tickets are currently available for groups of 10 or more. For more information on group sales, call Beth Bullock at or e-mail .

CHICAGO ALVIN AILEY CIRCLE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Tickets and tables are currently available for an exclusive cocktail reception and dinner at The Arts Club of Chicago, 201 E. Ontario St. This special event, hosted by the Chicago Alvin Ailey Circle, includes appearances by AAADT Artistic Director Judith Jamison; AAADT Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya and Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation Executive Director Sharon Gersten Luckman. The celebration takes place Tuesday, Mar. 31 from 6 – 9 p.m. and will feature a brief performance by AAADT dancer Vernard Gilmore. Tables of 8 are $4000, and individual tickets are $500. The ticket price includes a ticket to the opening night (April 1 at 7:30 p.m.) performance of AAADT in Chicago featuring Sweet Honey In The Rock. Proceeds benefit AAADT’s appearance at the Auditorium Theatre and disadvantaged youth attending AileyCamp in Chicago. Reservations are required by calling x 368 (please do not call this phone number to purchase individual show tickets).

RUSSIAN POINTE RECEPTION

An elegant pre-show opening night reception will be held at Russian Pointe, 333 N. Michigan Ave., a theater-inspired boutique featuring burgundy velvet curtains and French crystal chandeliers. This special event includes hors d’oeuvres, wine and appearances by AAADT dancers Glenn Allen Sims and Tina Monica Williams, as well as trolley transportation to the theatre. The Russian Pointe Reception takes place Wednesday, April 1 from 5 – 7 p.m. Admission is $50, and reservations are required by calling x 300 (please do not call this phone number to purchase individual show tickets).

ABOUT ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER 

On March 30, 1958 in New York City, Alvin Ailey led a group of young African American modern dancers in a performance that forever changed the perception of American dance. Although he created some 79 ballets during his lifetime, Ailey was a pioneer in establishing a multi-racial repertory company that presented important American dance works from the past as well as new works by both dance pioneers and emerging choreographers.

Today, with Artistic Director Judith Jamison’s remarkable vision and the artistry of 30 extraordinary dancers, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, America’s Cultural Ambassador to the World, continues to celebrate the African American cultural experience and to preserve and enrich the American modern dance tradition. Regarded as one of the world’s premier modern dance companies, The New York Times declares that “Ailey’s phenomenal popularity is unmatched by any other company.”

Clifton Brown in Hans Van Manen’s Solo.  Photo by Andrew Eccles

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has performed for an estimated 21 million people in 48 states and in 71 countries on 6 continents, including two historic residencies in South Africa, becoming not only the most-traveled dance company, but also an ambassador of American culture, inspiring and uniting people of all backgrounds around the globe. With a repertory of more than 200 works by more than 70 choreographers and a permanent home in New York City, the nation’s largest building dedicated to dance, the Ailey legacy flourishes, using the universal language of dance as a medium for honoring the past, celebrating the present and fearlessly reaching into the future. 

ABOUT THE AUDITORIUM THEATRE OF ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, located at 50 E. Congress Parkway, is an independent, not-for-profit organization committed to presenting the finest in international, cultural and community programming to Chicago, and to the continued restoration and preservation of the National Historic Landmark Auditorium Theatre.

For more information about programming, volunteer and donor opportunities or theater tours, call [to purchase tickets please do not call ; instead, please call Ticketmaster at (-ARTS].

Visit  , now featuring Chicago’s Landmark Stage, a comprehensive online history of the Auditorium from 1889 through today.