American Repertory Ballet
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This column by Nicole Plett was published in U.S. 1 Newspaper on September 15, 1999. All rights reserved.
Nicole Plett on Dance: Fall Arts Preview
Dance leads off on an enthusiastic footing this season,
thanks in part to the big audiences that voted with their feet to
greet Mikhail Baryshnikov and his White Oak Dance Project for their
unprecedented six-performance engagement at McCarter Theater in July.
Having taken on the mantle of modern dance proselytizer, the former
Soviet ballet superstar gratified modern dance enthusiasts at the
same time he astonished long-time ballet devotees with works by some
of the wittiest and most talented choreographers in the business —
Mark Morris, Neil Greenberg, and Lucy Guerin, to name just a few.
No matter that the national dance outlook has waned over the ’90s,
Baryshnikov’s shows demonstrated that audiences still love their stars.
Among the newest features of the new dance season is a home for dance
at the lavishly restored War Memorial in Trenton. The monumental Art
Deco venue lives up to its reputation by launching the season, September
28 and 29, with "Spirit of the Dance," a blockbuster Celtic-inspired
dance show by the touring Irish International Dance Company. Following
in the footsteps of the unexpected dance phenom, "Riverdance,"
the show promises a range of dances from traditional airs and reels
to ’90s jazz-funk.
Also new on the dance scene is the ascendant American Repertory Ballet
that opens its new season under artistic director Graham Lustig. The
former British principal dancer whose choreography has been compared
to that of the late Choo San Goh, will show his own ballet, "Borderlines,"
on the Opening Night program at State Theater, Saturday, October 9.
He takes the reins from Septime Webre, artistic director since 1993,
who leaves to head the Washington Ballet,
A lifelong dancer, Lustig joined Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet as a
principal in 1980, and over the course of seven years, also contributed
four new works to the esteemed company’s repertoire, and co-founded
his own small company, Dance Advance. After Sadler’s Wells, Lustig
became choreographer-in-residence at the Washington Ballet, where
he premiered a number of works, and also took on commissions for the
Hartford Ballet, and the American Ballet Theater Studio Company.
Keeping dancegoers voting with their feet, are strong touring seasons
at both the State Theater, New Brunswick, and McCarter Theater, where
featured companies include two Balanchine-inspired endeavors: Edward
Villella’s Miami City Ballet and Suzanne Farrell’s "Masters of
20th-century Ballet" program. Other ballet offerings include the
Opera Ballet of Bordeaux’s "Tribute to Diaghilev," and the
Moscow City Ballet’s "Cinderella."
Also waiting in the wings is an impressive group of modern-dance titans
that include the Paul Taylor Dance Company, the irrepressible Pilobolus,
and a solo appearance by Bill T. Jones.
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American Repertory Ballet">American Repertory Ballet
732-246-7469. Website: www.arballet.org.
artistic director Graham Lustig opens with his sensual ballet, "Borderlines,"
set to music by Steve Martland. Also world premiere of Elaine Kudo’s
"Children of the Drum," George Balanchine’s "Concerto
Barocco," and Kirk Peterson’s "The Eyes that Gently Touch,"
to music by Philip Glass. October 9.
Repertory Ballet’s updated production of Tchaikovsky’s holiday treat
featuring professional dancers and 150 students. November 26-28; December
29-31; January 2. And at the State Theater, December 12 and 13.
by Graham Lustig to Felix Mendelssohn’s score, "Dream" is
paired with a new "Rite of Spring" choreographed by Salvatore
Aiello. March 11 and 12.
Graham Lustig’s duet, "Cadenza," a blend of formal courtliness
and modern athleticism, danced to Gorecki’s "Harpsichord Concerto."
April 16.
Center, Ewing, 609-771-2775. Septime Webre’s lavish production of
the story of the star-crossed lovers, to the music of Prokofiev, April
26.
re-telling of Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy. May 13.
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McCarter Dance
that is earning international attention. October 6 and 7. Carmen,
The Lyon Ballet, on tour from France, presents a steamy danced production
of "Carmen." October 26.
original ensemble. November 9. Stuttgart Ballet, January 10
and 11. Garth Fagan Dance, February 1. Bill T. Jones,
A solo performance by one of the most influential and controversial
dance artists of the past decade. February 29. Trinity Irish Dance
Company , March 9. Pilobolus Dance Theater, April 18.
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State Theater
New York City Ballet principal dancer known as Mr. B’s "muse,"
Farrell stages works by Balanchine, Robbins, and Bejart performed
by an ensemble of 16 dancers. $20 to $32. October 29.
of 65 in Golovanov’s choreography performed to Prokofiev’s score.
$20 to $32. November 9.
show for DancePower, American Repertory Ballet’s dance partnership
with the New Brunswick public schools. $22 to $42. November 12.
$20 to $34. January 14.
Fokine’s revolutionary "Chopiniana," "Le Spectre de la
Rose," and "Petrouchka," together with Nijinsky’s "Afternoon
of a Faun." $20 to $38. March 22.
Shakespeare’s tragic tale to Prokofiev’s enchanting score. $20 to
$38. March 23.
St. Petersburg State Ice Ballet. $20 to $32. March 29.
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War Memorial
in a dazzling dance show of traditional airs, reels, and ’90s jazz-funk
that follows in the footsteps of the popular "Riverdance."
$20.50 to $32.50. September 28 and 29.
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