Revelations Piece (AADT – Paul Kolnik)
BY ARYSSA DURRELL
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Los Angeles awaits a spectacular production, as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will grace the stage celebrating 50 years of Ailey’s praised piece “Revelations,” beginning in April.
Hosted in the 2010-11 season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at the Music Center, these 10 performances are highly anticipated.
Ailey’s piece “Revelations” “… is a celebration of what it means to be black,” as illustrated by Rachel McLaren, of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
“Revelations” has come to its 50th year and is still being performed with vigor and passion as it had when it debuted in 1960.
These performances are set to take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion April 8 to 17.
There will be three different programs that will be conducted on the evenings of April 8, 9, 14 and 16, which is when Program A will be held.
This program will display pieces choreographed by Christopher L. Higgins, Robert Battle, and Camille A. Brown.
Program B, hosted on the nights of April 9,10 and 15 will feature all pieces choreographed by Ailey. Lastly, on April 13, 16, and 17 Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre members will dance choreography by Judith Jamison, Robert Battle and Rennie Harris.
The showcasing of such works like “Anointed,” and “Forgotten Time” are pieces eagerly awaited, but audiences are perhaps most thrilled to witness the Ailey original “Revelations” that will be performed as the final piece of each program.
McLaren, who has been dancing through the Alvin Ailey Company for six years, gives an inside perspective of what the show will encompass.
“Revelations is in its 50th year anniversary, which is very exciting; this piece is the most performed and traveled piece in the world … We are performing Revelations as the last piece in every program and there is a short film that gives a little bit of a background about Alvin and his career as a dancer.”
McLaren shares her enthusiasm in being able to be a part of the 50th year of the work and the passion that is included in performing the piece. She says “Revelations” is “…synonymous to Alvin Ailey, (as) it is the most recognized piece.”
The performances in Los Angeles on this North American tour of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are some of the most exciting.
Renae Williams Niles, director of Presentations for the Music Center, spoke about the relationship between the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Music Center here in Los Angeles.
“Ailey himself has a long history here in L.A. It was actually here in Los Angeles where he first discovered dance, so there is that connection…,” Niles said. “That love and connection with LA definitely permeates within the company itself.”
The Ailey company has been coming to the city on a regular basis for years, and for the past 15 the Music Center has been the home for the Dance Theater here in Los Angeles.
Niles has seen the company here over the years and articulates what is so special about this particular visit to Los Angeles in April.
There are a few elements that are “very distinct and precious about this particular engagement is that this is the last series of performances that we will see the company under Judith Jamison, which is major.”
This is the last season and tour for the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater that will be led by Jamison. Transitioning to take her position of 20 years is Robert Battle.
The show will not only celebrate 50 years of Revelations, but also the evolution of the Dance Theater from Jamison to Battle.
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion Box Office,135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.
Prices: from $25 to $105.
Purchasing contact: (213) 972-0711, musiccenter.org/events/dance.html.
Group ticketing of 10 or more:
(213) 972-8555, [email protected].
