COMPLEXIONS Posted October 25, 2007 Share Posted October 25, 2007 COMPLEXIONS CONTEMPORARY BALLET IN A TWO-WEEK SEASON, NOVEMBER 13-25, AT THE JOYCE Season features two programs, Guest Carmen De Lavallade, and Works by William Forsythe, Rennie Harris, Nicolo Fonte, and Complexions company members November 13-25 (Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 7:30 PM Thursdays & Fridays at 8 PM Saturdays at 2 & 8 PM Sundays at 2 & 7:30 PM) (Gala Performance on Thursday November 15 at 7 PM Guest Host: S. Epatha Merkerson Guest Host/Performer: Jessie L. Martin, both of TV's "Law & Order" Guest Dancer: Sarita Allen) (No performance Thanksgiving Day) The Joyce Theater, 175 Eighth Avenue Tickets: $44 Reservations: JoyceCharge 212/242-0800 Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson's Complexions Contemporary Ballet, celebrated for its electrifying physicality, passion, and virtuosity, returns to The Joyce for a two-week season, November 13-25 with two different programs and works by Rhoden and guest choreographers William Forsythe, Rennie Harris, Nicolo Fonte, and Uri Sands. Highlights of the season are the new "Peace Project," consisting of dances by company members as well as new duet by Dwight Rhoden for Desmond Richardson and the illustrious Carmen De Lavallade, and a revival of "Pretty Gritty Suite," Dwight Rhoden's 2004 tribute to Nina Simone. World renowned dancer Richardson is enjoying another remarkable year. "...widely recognized as one of the few greats in contemporary dance" (Clive Barnes, The New York Post, January 2007), Richardson's upcoming activities include receiving a 2007 Dance Magazine Award; dancing in David Michalek's "Slow Dancing," in NYC and LA; appearing in Julie Taymor's current movie "Across the Universe;" and performing with Diana Vishneva at City Center. PROGRAM A: "Dear Frederic" by Dwight Rhoden (New York Premiere) - a company dance set to music by Chopin 'Bound" - (World Premiere) - a trio by gifted young choreographer Nicolo Fonte "Endangered Species" (Company Premiere) - a Rennie Harris solo to be danced by Desmond Richardson "Herman Schmerman" a William Forsythe duet originally premiered May 1992 by New York City Ballet "tHe HaRdEsT bUtToN tO bUtToN" (Company premiere) a woman's solo by Abdur Jackson, set to music by The White Stripes. 'Pretty Gritty Suite," a Dwight Rhoden full company tribute to the beauty, range, and power of the music of Nina Simone. Program A will be performed Tuesday November 13 at 7:30 PM Wednesday November 14 at 7:30 PM Friday November 16 at 8 PM Saturday November 17 at 2 PM & 8 PM Sunday November 18 at 2 PM & 7:30 PM (Thursday November 15 is the Company Gala - see below) PROGRAM B: "THE PEACE PROJECT" - The Company announces with pride the premiere of this suite of dances directed by Dwight Rhoden and choreographed by a diverse range of artistic voices. Rhoden asked the commissioned choreographers to create new works inspired by their interpretations of the word peace. With all six choreographers taking different approaches to the task, the program promises an inspiring evening of dance. Also featured is exceptional guest pianist, 15-year old Hoa Pham. "The Peace Project" will include: ** "The Letter" depicting the relationship between a mother and her son, who is serving in the war. Created by Dwight Rhoden and danced by Carmen De Lavallade and Desmond Richardson. ** a duet by Kimi Nikaidoh, a member of Complexions since 2005; ** a quartet by Jae Man Joo, a South Korean member of the Company since 1996, as well as newly appointed ballet master; ** a duet by Juan-Antonio Rodriquez, a member of Complexions since 2003; ** "The Peace Project" will close with a group dance created by Dwight Rhoden. PROGRAM B will be performed Tuesday November 20 at 7:30 PM Wednesday November 21 at 7:30 PM (no performance Thursday November 22 - Thanksgiving) Friday November 23 at 8 PM Saturday November 24 at 2 & 8 PM Sunday November 24 at 2 & 7:30 PM COMPANY GALA - "Before Now and After Then" Thursday November 15 at 7 PM followed by cocktails, light supper buffet, dancing, live and silent auctions at The Park, 118 10th Avenue (at 18th Street) (transportation from the theater will be provided) Tickets: $300 for full evening For Information call Julia Sliwinski at 212/777-7771 or e-mail to jsliwinski@complexionsdance.org GALA PROGRAM: Performance will include * sneak preview of "The Peace Project" * William Forsythe's "Herman Scherman" * A world premiere performed by Sarita Allen * Guest vocals by Jesse L. Martin, of NBC's Law & Order, and Broadway's Rent * Evening hosted by S. Epatha Merkerson, star of NBC's Law & Order * Honorary Co-Chairs include Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance * * * A FEW PRESS QUOTES ABOUT COMPLEXIONS: "Bodies atilt, awhirl, stretched beyond belief, flinging sweat and energy - incredible dancing..........Beat and pulse were everywhere evident in the program and had many in the audience bopping their way up the aisles." Ballet Review, Spring 2007 "Desmond Richardson is one extraordinary dancer." John Rockwell, The New York Times, May 2005 "All of Complexions dancers are superb." Joel Lobenthal, The New York Sun, January 2007 "Complexions was not just a name - it was a philosophy of personnel. Now, 13 tough years later, with Rhoden still as principal choreographer and Richardson the leading dancer, it remains alive and kicking like a racehorse." Clive Barnes, NY Post, January 2007 "A crowd pleaser, Rhoden (in "Chapters") succeeds in developing a roster of street wise and club hip characters.......this piece could be a toe-tapping evening length piece with Off-Broadway legs." Celia Ipiotis, Eye on Dance, January 2007 "Desmond Richardson...perhaps the most technically amazing dancer of his generation." Roberta Pikser, Theaterscene.net, January 2007 "Richardson...who ranks as one of America's greatest living dancers, period." Joseph Carman, Dance Magazine, May 2005 Link to comment
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