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Star-Studded Opening Night Gala Features One-Night Only Performance of Ronald K. Brown’s Grace and Alvin Ailey’s Masterpiece Revelations Performed with Live Music  

Enjoy World Premiere of Jamar Roberts’ Al-Andalus Blues on December 6

Learn Alvin Ailey’s Iconic Choreography During a Free Online Revelations Around the World Workshop with Ailey Extension on December 7

More Week One Highlights Include Revelations with Live Music

  

Season Photos & Sizzle Reel Now Available!

 

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4: OPENING NIGHT GALA BENEFIT
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater‘s 2024-25 season celebrating the life and legacy of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison kicks off on Wednesday, December 4 at 7pm with a star-studded Opening Night Gala, including a performance at New York City Center and party at Ziegfeld Ballroom. The Gala honors Jody Gottfried Arnhold for her steadfast commitment to accessible dance education for all and her invaluable support of AILEY’s mission. The Honorary Chairs for the evening are Gayle King, co-host of CBS Mornings and Editor-at-Large of Oprah Daily, and Phylicia Rashad, two-time Tony® Award-winning actress.

The  one-night-only program begins with a special performance of an excerpt from Alvin Ailey’s tour-de-force Cry, Judith Jamison’s signature solo which she ignited with her unparalleled grace and power, followed by a beloved dance she originally  commissioned – the 25th anniversary return of Ronald K. Brown’s rapturous Grace with a special live performance by Tony® and GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Leslie Odom, Jr. and composer, visual artist, and GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. Fueled by Duke Ellington’s classic Come Sunday, Peven Everett’s hit Gabriel, and the irresistible pulse of Fela Kuti’s Afro-Pop, Grace depicts individuals on a journey to the promised land, expanding from a single angel-like figure in white to the fireball intensity of 12 powerful dancers. Revered by The New York Times as an “amazingly explosive image of a spiritual journey,” Grace is a modern masterpiece connecting African and American dance.

The  one-night-only program begins with a special performance of an excerpt from Alvin Ailey’s tour-de-force Cry, Judith Jamison’s signature solo which she ignited with her unparalleled grace and power, followed by a beloved dance she originally  commissioned – the 25th anniversary return of Ronald K. Brown’s rapturous Grace with a special live performance by Tony® and GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Leslie Odom, Jr. and composer, visual artist, and GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. Fueled by Duke Ellington’s classic Come Sunday, Peven Everett’s hit Gabriel, and the irresistible pulse of Fela Kuti’s Afro-Pop, Grace depicts individuals on a journey to the promised land, expanding from a single angel-like figure in white to the fireball intensity of 12 powerful dancers. Revered by The New York Times as an “amazingly explosive image of a spiritual journey,” Grace is a modern masterpiece connecting African and American dance.

Following the inspiring finale of Alvin Ailey’s classic Revelations, with its unforgettable score of spirituals sung live by a soul-stirring choir, prominent figures in the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy, and politics will join in the festive dinner-dance at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Expected guests include Honey Balenciaga, Karamo Brown, Misty Copeland, Legendary Damon, Tremaine Emory, Carolina Herrara, LaChanze, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Michelle Miller, Indré Rockefeller, Marcus Samuelsson, Anna Deavere Smith, Bevy Smith, Lorraine Toussaint, and Ben Vereen. Proceeds from the Gala support the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, the creation of new works, scholarships for talented students at The Ailey School, and AILEY’s innovative educational programs for children. The event’s co-chairs are Emily & Len Blavatnik, Jack Pitts, Dr. Danielle Robinson & Reverend Dwayne McClary, Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach, Joan & Sandy Weill, and Pamela D. Zilly & John H. Schaefer; vice chairs are Anthony S. Kendall and Anthony A. Lewis. Honorary Committee members are John Arnhold, Julia Arnhold & Lane Gerson, Paul Arnhold & Wes Gordon, Agnes Gund, Carolina Herrera, Regina King, Tina Knowles, Bianca Lawson, Tarell Alvin McCraney, and Indré Rockefeller. Click here for the full Opening Night Gala Benefit press release.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5: GRACE – NEW PRODUCTION
Witness the 25th anniversary staging of Ronald K. Brown’s rapturous work fueled by Duke Ellington’s classic Come Sunday, Peven Everett’s hit Gabriel, and the irresistible pulse of Fela Kuti’s Afro-Pop. Here, the secular and sacred meet in a tour-de-force connecting African and American dance.

Performance Dates: Dec. 4 eve, 5 eve, Dec. 7 eve, Dec. 10 eve, Dec. 17 eve, Dec. 22 eve, Dec. 27 eve, Dec. 28 eve, Jan. 1 eve, Jan. 5 eve

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6: AL-ANDALUS BLUES – WORLD PREMIERE
On Friday, December 6 at 7:30pm witness the world premiere of former Ailey dancer Jamar Roberts’ Al-Andalus Blues, commissioned by New York City Center. Music from Roberta Flack and Miles Davis’ Sketches of Spain set the tone for this abstract ensemble piece, which journeys back in time to the golden age of Al-Andalus, evoking the northern African Moors who flourished in the south of present-day Spain prior to the Christian Reconquista.

Performance Dates: Dec. 6 eve, Dec. 7 eve, Dec. 10 eve, Dec. 27 eve, Dec. 28 eve, Jan. 3 eve

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6: DANCING SPIRIT
On Friday, December 6 at 7pm take in Ronald K. Brown’s Dancing Spirit – a tribute to Judith Jamison’s profound influence with a moving work that echoes the title of Jamison’s autobiography. Set to music by Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis, and War, Brown’s evocative choreography uses movement from Cuba, Brazil, and the United States to conjure dancing spirits who embody Jamison’s elegance, dignity, and generosity.

Performance Dates: Dec. 8 mat, Dec. 11 eve

REVELATIONS with LIVE MUSIC
Experience Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations with live music during several performances during opening weekend. More than just a popular dance work, Revelations has become a cultural treasure, beloved by generations of fans and acclaimed as a must-see for all. Using African American spirituals, the work fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul.

Performance Dates: Dec. 6 eve, Dec. 7 mat, Dec. 8 mat, Dec. 8 eve

MORE WEEK ONE HIGHLIGHTS

FAMILY MATINEE SERIES
Each Saturday afternoon, bring the whole family to enjoy the performance and stay for a Q & A with Ailey dancers moderated by AILEY teaching artist and former Company member Amos Machanic in the theater following the inspiring finale of Revelations, acclaimed as a must-see for all ages. The Saturday, December 7 program includes live music during Revelations.

Performance Dates: Dec. 7 mat, Dec. 14 mat, Dec. 21 mat, Dec. 28 mat, Jan. 4 mat

REVELATIONS AROUND THE WORLD WORKSHOP AT AILEY EXTENSION – DECEMBER 7
Ailey fans around the world are invited to join Director of Ailey Extension and former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company Member Lisa Johnson-Willingham for a free online Revelations Around the World Workshop on Saturday, December 7 at 3:30pm. Dancers across the globe will come together virtually to learn excerpts of choreography from Ailey’s signature masterpiece. Since its premiere in 1960, Alvin Ailey’s Revelations has consistently enraptured audiences all over the world with its perfect blend of reverent grace and spiritual elation. This work has been performed continuously around the globe, transcending barriers of faith and nationality, and appealing to universal emotions, making it one of the most recognized ballets in the world. Revelations Around the World is the first in a series of four legacy workshops from Ailey Extension inviting fans to learn classic Ailey steps from former Company members.

CALENDAR LISTING INFORMATION
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s season celebrating the life and legacy of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison launches at New York City Center  with a holiday season from December 4 – January 5. Led by Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing, Ailey’s extraordinary dancers will move audiences with world premieres by Rushing, Hope Boykin, Lar Lubovitch, and Jamar Roberts along with new productions and a variety of repertory favorites, including the 25th anniversary production of Ronald K. Brown’s rapturous Grace and Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations. Tickets starting at $42 (fees included) are on sale at the New York City Center Box Office, through Customer Care at 212-581-1212, or online at alvinailey.org or nycitycenter.org. For further information, visit alvinailey.org.

 

Performance Times:
Opening Night Gala (December 4)              7pm (note earlier curtain time)
Tuesday – Saturday evenings                       7:30pm
Wednesday matinee (December 18)          2pm
Saturday Family matinees                            2pm
Sunday matinees                                            3pm
Sunday evenings                                             7pm
New Year’s Eve matinee                                2pm

 

For New York City Center season press release, click here.
For 2024 season images, click here.
For 2024 season sizzle reel, click here.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: 

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12:  MANY ANGELS – WORLD PREMIERE
Many Angels, Lar Lubovitch’s first world premiere for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater debuts on Thursday, December 12 at 7:30pm featuring his renowned lush choreography and musicality set to Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. A choreographer for 60 years, Lubovitch has frequently been asked: “Why do you make dances?” For Lubovitch, “Something may exist in the world simply for the sake of itself. For example, a dance.” Many Angels is inspired by a question posed by 13th century theologian St. Thomas Aquinas, “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?,” illustrating that some questions have no logical response but are understood as a question of faith. It is not really about angels. (Well, maybe a little).

Performance Dates: Dec. 12 eve, Dec. 14 eve, Dec. 15 eve, Dec. 17 eve, Dec. 21 eve, Dec. 22 mat, Jan. 1 eve, Jan. 5 mat

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13:  FINDING FREE – WORLD PREMIERE 
Premiering on Thursday, December 13 at 7:30pm is former Ailey dancer Hope Boykin’s Finding Free, a collaboration with composer and pianist Matthew Whitaker which examines the challenges and restrictions throughout life’s peaks and valleys that propel the journey forward. This insightful work uses Boykin’s movement-language and Whitaker’s jazz- and gospel-influenced score to explore notions of personal freedoms. Matthew Whitaker will perform live onstage on December 13 at 7:30pm and December 14 at 7:30pm.

Performance Dates: Dec. 13 eve, Dec. 14 eve, Dec. 15 eve, Dec. 17 eve, Dec. 26 eve, Dec. 28 eve, Jan. 3 eve, Jan. 5 mat
UPCOMING SPECIAL WORKSHOPS AT AILEY

AILEY CLASSICS WORKSHOP AT AILEY EXTENSION – SATURDAY, DECEMBER 14 at 3:30PM
Join world-renowned former Ailey dancer Sarita Allen  on Saturday, December 14 at 3:30pm for her signature Ailey Classics workshop in celebration of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s performances at New York City Center. This year, students are invited to learn excerpts of Alvin Ailey’s iconic ballet Memoria. Choreographed in 1979, Alvin Ailey’s Memoria is a deeply personal work and one of his most affecting as it was created in remembrance of his dear friend and colleague Joyce Trisler. He dedicated the ballet “to the joy…the beauty…the creativity…and the wild spirit of my friend,” and set it to the sublime music of jazz pianist Keith Jarrett. This Ailey Classics workshop is part of a series of four legacy workshops from Ailey Extension inviting fans to learn classic Ailey steps from former Company members.

 

Photo Credit: Christopher Duggan