Ensemble Arts presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as the company returns to the stage and Philadelphia at the Academy of Music on Friday, February 23, through Sunday, February 25, 2024. After more than 60 years performing the best in modern and contemporary dance, the artists of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continue to dazzle with their technical brilliance and passionate energy. During their three-day appearance, the Ailey troupe will electrify the stage with contemporary works by some of today’s most in-demand choreographers and classic favorites from the repertory. Each program will close with Alvin Ailey’s beloved masterpiece, Revelations.
“The arts are vital, providing a medium for expressing thoughts and ideas that mere words cannot convey,” said Matías Tarnopolsky, President and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center. “As always, the upcoming performance of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will be a vibrant testament to the human spirit and a riveting expression of culture that transfixes and transports the audience through dance.”
This weekend’s repertory includes exciting new works for Ailey – Amy Hall Garner’s rousing, high-spirited tribute to her grandfather, CENTURY, and Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish’s dreamlike reminiscence of romance, Me, Myself and You – alongside productions of Ronald K. Brown’s Dancing Spirit, Alonzo King’s Following the Subtle Current Upstream, and Solo by Hans van Manen. As always, the engagement will provide opportunities to experience the power of Alvin Ailey’s must-see American masterpiece Revelations, acclaimed around the world for sending hearts soaring and lifting audiences to their feet with its perfect blend of reverent grace and spiritual elation. Since its debut in 1960, Revelations has been moving audiences with its powerful storytelling and soul-stirring music, evoking timeless themes of determination, hope, and transcendence. An intimate reflection of Mr. Ailey’s childhood memories of growing up in the South and attending services at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Texas, Revelations pays homage to the rich cultural heritage of the African American community and explores the emotional spectrum of the human condition.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater grew from a now-fabled performance in March 1958 at the 92nd Street Y in New York City. Led by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African American modern dancers, that performance changed forever the perception of American dance. The Ailey company has gone on to perform for an estimated 25 million people at theaters in 48 states and 71 countries on six continents. Presenting more than 235 works by over 90 choreographers, including 79 by Alvin Ailey, Mr. Ailey’s mission was to present important works of the past, commission new ones, and provide a platform for diverse voices.
Before his untimely death in 1989, Alvin Ailey named Judith Jamison as his successor, and over the next 21 years, she brought the company to unprecedented success. Ms. Jamison, in turn, personally selected Robert Battle to succeed her in 2011, and The New York Times declared he “has injected the company with new life.” Robert Battle stepped down from the company in 2023.
In 2020, the Ailey company reinvented the way it reaches audiences globally by creating Ailey All Access, a series of online offerings that has brought dance to 121 countries, including free streaming of full-length ballets from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey Extension dance and fitness classes, conversations, and original short films. Ailey All Access won Time Out New York’s “Time In” Archive Treasure award for best archival streaming series.
In 2022, AILEY, part of PBS American Masters, premiered. AILEY featured previously unheard audio interviews with Alvin Ailey, interviews with those close to him, and an intimate glimpse into the Ailey studios today. Jamilla Wignot’s acclaimed film explored Ailey’s life and the enduring legacy of his work as a choreographer expressing the grace, strength, and beauty of the Black experience in America.
Tickets
Tickets can be purchased online at https://www.ensembleartsphilly.org/events-and-tickets/2023-24/kcp/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater/. In-person ticket sales can be conducted daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Academy of Music Box Office, located at 240 S. Broad Street.
PROGRAM
Friday, February 23, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
“CENTURY” – Choreography by Amy Hall Garner – World Premiere, NY City Center, 2023
Intermission
“Following the Subtle Current Upstream” – Choreography by Alonzo King – World Premiere NY City Center, 2000
Intermission
“Revelations” – Choreography by Alvin Ailey – World Premiere, 1960
Saturday, February 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
“CENTURY” – Choreography by Amy Hall Garner – World Premiere, NY City Center, 2023
Intermission
“Following the Subtle Current Upstream” – Choreography by Alonzo King – World Premiere NY City Center, 2000
Intermission
“Revelations” – Choreography by Alvin Ailey – World Premiere, 1960
Saturday, February 24, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
“Dancing Spirit” – Choreography by Ronald K. Brown – World Premiere, NY City Center, 2009
Intermission
“Me, Myself and You” – Choreography by Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish – World Premiere, NY City Center, 2023
Pause
“Solo” – Choreography by Hans van Manen – World Premiere, 1997; Company Premiere, 2005
Intermission
“Revelations” – Choreography by Alvin Ailey – World Premiere, 1960
Sunday, February 25, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.
“Dancing Spirit” – Choreography by Ronald K. Brown – World Premiere, NY City Center, 2009
Intermission
“Me, Myself and You” – Choreography by Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish – World Premiere, NY City Center, 2023
Pause
“Solo” – Choreography by Hans van Manen – World Premiere, 1997; Company Premiere, 2005
Intermission
“Revelations” – Choreography by Alvin Ailey – World Premiere, 1960
