‘Legacy in Motion’

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 2024-25 season celebrating “Legacy in Motion” and the life of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison continues with inspiring performances of acclaimed works and new pieces from several choreographers for whom Alvin Ailey and Jamison paved the way.

This follows a rousing first week launched by an Opening Night Gala honoring luminary Jody Gottfried Arnhold with Honorary Chairs Gayle King, co-host of CBS Mornings and Editor-at-Large of Oprah Daily, and Phylicia Rashad, two-time Tony® Award-winning actress.

On Thursday, Dec. 12, “Many Angels,” Lar Lubovitch’s first world premiere for the company made its debut. It featured his lush choreography and musicality set to Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5.

A choreographer for 60 years, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater said Lubovitch has frequently been asked: “Why do you make dances?”

For Lubovitch, “Something may exist in the world simply for the sake of itself. For example, a dance,” the theater company said.

It said, “Many Angels,” inspired by a question posed by 13th-century theologian St. Thomas Aquinas, “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” illustrating that some questions have no logical response but are understood as questions of faith.

“It is not really about angels. (Well, maybe a little),” Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company said.

It said there are severa more chances to see “Many Angels” this season: Dec. 17, Dec. 21, Dec. 22, Jan. 1, and Jan. 5.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company said Thursday’s program also includes the season’s first performances of returning favorites Memoria— Alvin Ailey’s moving tribute created in remembrance of his dear friend and colleague Joyce Trisler; and Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish’s dreamlike duet Me, Myself and You.

The evening ends with Ailey’s signature masterpiece Revelations, the company said.

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Company said that on Friday, Dec.13, at 7:30 p.m., former Ailey dancer Hope Boykin returned to explore personal freedoms for the world premiere of Finding Free, her collaboration with pianist Matthew Whitaker, who has composed an original score for this piece.

“This insightful work uses Boykin’s movement language and Whitaker’s jazz and gospel-influenced music to examine the challenges and restrictions throughout life’s peaks and valleys that propel the journey forward,” it said.

The theater company said Matthew Whitaker also performed live on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company said there are more chances to see Finding Free this season: Dec. 17 eve, Dec. 26 eve, Dec. 28 mat, Jan. 3 eve, Jan. 5 eve.

It said Friday’s program also includes Jamar Roberts’ Ode – a meditation on the beauty and fragility of life in a time of growing gun violence; and concludes with Ailey’s must-see Revelations.

Ailey’s amazing artists continue to celebrate Judith Jamison throughout the week “with moving works that embody her grace and unparalleled force as a dancer.”

The Wednesday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. program featured Ronald K. Brown’s “Dancing Spirit,” a moving tribute to Jamison’s profound influence set to music by Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis, and War.

Saturday and Sunday matinee performances include Alvin Ailey’s “Cry” – “the iconic role originated by Jamison, which catapulted her to international stardom – as part of an ‘All Ailey’ Program presenting four works by our beloved founder, including the moving tribute Memoria, tour-de-force male solo A Song for You excerpted from Love Songs, and the timeless Revelations,” Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company said.

This week kicked off on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 7:30 p.m., with encore performances of Jamar Roberts’ world premiere Al-Andalus Blues and Ronald K. Brown’s rapturous Grace.

For information on how to experience the magic of AILEY, visit ailey.org.