Eat Cake! Boston Ballet presents Shades of Sound

Black Cake, Boston Ballet ©2014 Rosalie O’Connor Photography

It may not feel like Spring outside, but step inside the Opera House and you’ll be refreshed with Boston Ballet’s 3-piece program “Shades of Sound.” Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen combines contemporary, modern, classical, ballroom and bubbly for night that is sure to re-energize the senses.

BB premiered Chroma in 2013, and opens “Shades” with its 10 dancers in neutral colors inside a white shadowbox-like set. From beginning to end, Chroma is high energy, non-stop contemporary dance. Sit back, it’s a rollercoaster of movement and emotion. The percussionists are in the spotlight of the Joby Talbot and Jack White’s (yes, The White Stripes’ lead man) music in the House balconies.

George Balanchine’s Episodes ©2014 Rosalie O’Connor Photography

After intermission, the curtain opens and you know immediately that it’s George Balanchine — a stark backdrop with dancers in black and white leotards. Originally, Episodes was a collaboration between Balanchine and Mother of modern dance Martha Graham. And although Graham’s choreography is no longer used, the music (Anton von Webern) and Balanchine’s style still gives this older ballet a modern feel. Episodes showcases BB’s roots in exquisite, world-class technique.

And then there’s dessert. Oh so yummy dessert. Black Cake is flirty and funny and a happy ending to a great night of dance. Six couples, dressed in black cocktail attire get a little tipsy as they tango. Leading ladies: Rie Ichikwaka, Kathleen Breen Combes and Dalay Parrondo show the men they’re in control… until they’re not. The group gets loose and shows all the truths of the emotional drunk. It’s perfectly performed, leaving the audience wanting another piece of Cake.

Through March 29

The Opera House

539 Washington St., Boston

$29-$142, 617-695-6950

www.bostonballet.org

Alvin Ailey April 15-18, 2010

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is back.

“It’s something really unbelievable how long we’ve been coming to Boston. We have a real extraordinary relationship with Boston. I remember dancing in Boston, but that was a looong time ago,” says artistic director Judith Jamison.

And she’s right. AAADT has been performing in the Bay State since 1968. The 2010 tour celebrates the 20th anniversary of Ms. Jamison as artistic director. Sadly, it wraps up her tenure as AD as she has announced her retirement for 2011.

“It’s called a lateral move … I’m here to support the future,” she says, adding that of course she’ll stay involved.

“I loved Alvin. I still love Alvin. He gave me a great gift, and what I’m doing is what you do with love. And that is to free it up and let it become what it becomes. I want this company, this whole organization to be around for another 51 years.”

As for this weekend’s program Ms. Jamison explains why each one is special to her. Check out my story in today’s Metro.

EVERYTHING HAS A MEMORY AND HAS A FUTURE: JAMISON

Alvin Ailey artistic director Judith Jamison on the many splendored lineup for the weekend

by Katrina T. Lallier

Metro Boston, April 15, 2010

Judith Jamison knows where her roots are.

Celebrating 20 years as the artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Jamison is animated as ever as she describes this weekend’s engagement — a collection of her favorite pieces over the last two decades.

The dancer/choreographer admits it was hard to narrow down her favorites after being with the company since 1965.

“If you stay in the business as long as I’ve been in the business, everything has a memory and has a future.”

There’s something different each night, with “Revelations” rounding out the third act. Here are some highlights:

Best of 20 Years
“Mr. [Masazumi] Chaya, who is my associate artistic director, put together some programs that really celebrate what I’ve been trying to do over the last 20 years.”

foto: Paul Kolnik

Dancing Spirit
“Ron Brown’s work… oh my God, it is a jewel in the crown. I love that he named it ‘Dancing Spirit’ and it’s representative of our love for each other and his love for Alvin.”

foto: Paul Kolnik

Uptown
“I wanted [AA dancer] Matthew [Rushing] to do our 20th anniversary. [AA dancer] Hope [Boykin] did our 50th, and I wanted Matthew to do my 20th. This was on purpose.”

foto: Steve Vaccariello

Suite Otis
“One of my favorite pieces, because [choreographer] George Faison and I were in the company together.”

foto: Andrew Eccles

Night Creature
“One of my favorite pieces of [musician Duke] Ellington’s.”

foto: Paul Kolnik

In/Side
“[Robert Brattle] makes works that are on that edge, on that precipice, and also truly rooted in a very eclectic way of moving. You will feel it when you see these gentlemen in the company — this amazing, wrenching solo about love and desperation and caring and feeling to your depth what this person is going through. I love this piece, obviously!”

—————

foto: Andrew Eccles

‘Revs’ still going
KTL: Audiences can’t get enough of “Revelations” …
JJ: Around the world!
KTL: You could do it four times a night and audiences still couldn’t get enough …
JJ: [Laughs] No. [Laughs] Alvin would not like that! [Laughs]
“‘Revelations’ is an American classic. … Mr. Ailey’s genius in choreographing this work that celebrates our culture rejuvenates itself because it informs you of our history, our past, our present and our future and his rooted in hope and faith, and incredible technique.”

But do the dancers every get tired of it? Jamison explains that two long-time company members said that they would “re-invent themselves” when it came time to dance the company’s signature work.

“Think of the imagery and think of our history … those roots that are African in orgin and American in origin. … I think my dancers appreciate that and really understand. They get closer to Alvin Ailey and who he was as a person and as a great choreographer when they dance his work — especially ‘Revelations.’ It’s walking grace. It’s from the heart and there’s no superficial layering to it. It is true.”

Alvin Ailey America Dance Theater
April 15-18, 2010
Citi Wang Theatre
$35-70, 617-482-6661
www.celebrityseries.org