Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s latest presentation at The Music Center included a series of works that shared recent additions to their repertory which created a consistent narrative of joyous tributes.
On the night I attended, the company shared program B which included Century by Amy Hall Garner, Dancing Spirit by Ronald K. Brown, and their staple Revelations by Alvin Ailey. Other works in program A included Are You in Your Feelings? by Kyle Abraham and Ode by Jamar Roberts.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Chalvar Monteiro and Jacquelin Harris in Amy Hall Garner’s “Century” – Photo by Paul Kolnick.
Garner’s work — set to the energetic music of Ray Charles, Count Basie, and more — demanded immediate intensity, presenting a challenge to the company as the opening performance. The piece, which was inspired by Garner’s grandfather on the eve of his 100th birthday, is a jazz-filled celebration of life. However, the execution of the work fumbled the joy of the movement in its first moments so much so that the choreography got lost behind the elaborate and shiny costuming by Susan Roemer and scenic design by Nicole Pearce.
By the first solo, the sharp, intentional, and fiery emotion that the piece demanded arrived. Soon, the energy in the dancer’s hands passed from performer to performer through the remainder of the work so that the beauty of the choreography could shine brighter than the attire. The glamour of the movement in Century came out in the turns. Dancers quickly spun and changed direction at a moment’s notice while remaining on a strong and supportive leg — extending and tucking with the other. The energy of every dancer was finally in sync, glowing out of each dance move.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Ronald K. Brown’s “Dancing Spirit” – Photo by Paul Kolnick.
Dancing Spirit, a tribute to artistic director emerita Judith Jamison, was like watching the dichotomy of water’s stillness and rupturing waves. The fluid movement blended well into the flowy blue and white costumes by Omotayo Wunmi Olaiya and the perfectly curated music of artists like Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis, Radiohead, and War.
The piece began softly as dancers repeated the same movement diagonally across the stage one at a time. The water rippled as one dancer went against the repetition to expand the movement vocabulary with large extensions and turns. Soon, dancers came out two at a time. From that point forward, the choreography ruptured from the mundane. Dancers split into groups, taking the choreography and spreading it to new corners of the stage. They took separate journeys but still found moments to come together in a unifying heave or lift, creating a satisfying deep breath in the work.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Ronald K. Brown’s “Dancing Spirit” – Photo by Paul Kolnick.
Dancing Spirit had a particular sway or bounce throughout, kept afloat by grooves inspired by dance styles from Cuba and Brazil. The bounce kept the movement organic to the dancers’ bodies. Their arms bopped naturally, and their torsos swooped to and fro with the beat, not looking to stick any landing but rather to bring the music to life. This freedom made each moment of urgent control, whether it be a tilt or arabesque, more poignant and rewarding.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey’s “Revelations” – Photo by Paul Kolnick.
The performance closed with Revelations, as is tradition. Not much else can be said about a masterpiece that has not already been. However, this presentation had some standout performances that brought new light to an iconic classic. Caroline T. Dartey and Michael Jackson, Jr. immersed themselves into Fix Me, Jesus. Each subtle shift felt so effortless and powerful that audience members gasped and applauded. The same goes for Christopher R. Wilson’s performance in I Wanna Be Ready. His balance of sharp transitions with moments of indulgence, feeling each limb involved in the choreography, culminated in breathtaking moments.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continues to showcase the company’s legacy and dedication to innovative contemporary movement. Century, which premiered in 2023, is the first work Garner has choreographed for the company, and the performance of Dancing Spirit, which premiered in 2009, was a new production created in 2023. Although newer, the presentation of both pieces alongside Revelations showcases how the past can inform the present, and vice versa. Despite the years between them, there is a throughline of joy painted with grooves and technically demanding turns. In the end, it is that joy that people leave with from an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance.
To learn more about the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, please visit their website.
Written by Steven Vargas for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Chalvar Monteiro and Ashley Green in Kyle Abraham’s Are You In Your Feelings – Photo by Paul Kolnick.
