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This year's Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 65th-anniversary engagement at Chicago's historic Auditorium Theatre held particular importance as it marked the company's first season after Artistic Director Robert Battle's departure. Battle was only the third person to lead the company in its 65-year history, following Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison. During this transitional period, Matthew Rushing is serving as Interim Artistic Director. Despite these changes, the program offered a dynamic evening of dance, featuring both iconic works and innovative new pieces.

The performance opened with a vibrant expression of grace, patience, and elegance in Ronald K. Brown's "Dancing Spirit."  A dancer gracefully moves through a sequence of elegant arm extensions while standing in a spotlight upstage. Soon, other dancers join in, echoing the movements with slight variations. The pulsating African-diasporic soundscape fueled the dancers, clad in tie-dyed blue and white dresses and separates. They moved with a reverent, almost ecstatic joy. "Dancing Spirit" served as a potent reminder of the company's deep connection to its African American heritage and as a homage to Artistic Director Emerita, Judith Jamison.  The exceptional cast of dancers, Hannah Alissa Richardson, Deidre Rogan, Coral Dolphin, Jacquelin Harris, Solomon Dumas, Christopher Taylor, Christopher R. Wilson, Michael Jackson Jr., and Xavier Mack brought the stage to life with their extraordinary performances.  Throughout the performance, glimpses of the opening are interwoven into the choreography, leading to a jubilant finale. The music selection, featuring compositions by Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis, Radiohead, and War coupled with the lighting design by Clifton Taylor provided a rich and dynamic backdrop that complemented the dancers' artistry and passion.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Kyle Abraham's Are You in Your Feelings

Kyle Abraham's "Are You in Your Feelings?" marked an emotional shift in the performance, presenting a sexually and emotionally charged piece that contrasted with the regal opening. The dancers, dressed in jewel tones of indigo, ruby, emerald, citrine, and amethyst by costumer Karen Young, explored themes of vulnerability and self-discovery, navigating the complexities of finding and losing love. Abraham's choreography emphasized nuanced gestures and emotional authenticity, with the dancers expressing a range of emotions, including longing, frustration, jealousy, contempt, same-sex and self-love. Their performances featured voguing duckwalks, fluid body waves, and other sensual movements. The narrative was supported by modern music choices, including Erykah Badu's soulful "I'll Call U Back" and Jhené Aiko's tender "While We're Young," as well as classics like The Flamingos' "I Only Have Eyes for You" and Shirley Brown’s “Woman to Woman” and contemporary tracks such as Kendrick Lamar's "LOVE”.  The featured dancers included Caroline T. Dartey, Solomon Dumas, Samantha Figgins, James Gilmer, Ashley Kaylynn Green, Michael Jackson, Jr., Renaldo Maurice, Ashley Mayeux, Corrin Rachelle Mitchell, Chalvar Monteiro, Miranda Quinn and Deidre Rogan. Ultimately, this introspective work offered a profound glimpse into the emotional complexities of the human experience.

The program culminated with the iconic "Revelations," a cornerstone of the Ailey repertoire. Divided into three sections, “Pilgrim of Sorrow”, “Take Me To The Water” and “Move, Members, Move”, each section represents different aspects and experiences in the African American Southern Baptist worship. From the prayers for salvation in “Didn’t My Lord Deliver Daniel”, the baptism in “Wade in the Water,"  and the congregate of members in “Rocka My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham “ each section resonated with emotional depth. The dancers delivered powerful performances, their bodies embodying the struggle, resilience, and spiritual fervor depicted in the music.

Ailey once said in an interview. “I’m interested in putting something on stage that will have a very wide appeal without being condescending; that will reach an audience and make it part of the dance; that will get everybody into the theater. If it’s art and entertainment—thank God, that’s what I want to be.”   

The audience erupted in a standing ovation, a testament to the enduring power of this groundbreaking work.  Ailey's choreography remains a potent portrayal of the African American experience, weaving spirituals, and gospel music into a moving journey.

While Artistic Director Robert Battle's absence will certainly be felt, the company will navigate this transitional period with grace. The program's curation, showcasing established masterpieces alongside contemporary voices, hints at the stability of the company.

Celebrating its 55th engagement at the Auditorium Theatre, the Ailey company's return held a special significance for Chicago audiences. The historic venue, with its ornate architecture and rich acoustics, provided the perfect backdrop for these powerful works. The palpable energy between dancers and audience offered a potent reminder of the transformative power of live dance and the importance of artistic expression, especially during times of transition.

As the curtain fell on "Revelations," one couldn't help but feel the joy of witnessing exceptional artistry and the hopeful anticipation of what the future holds for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. This 65th anniversary program served as a poignant bridge between the company's rich legacy and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

Highly Recommended

When: Through Sunday

Where: Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive

Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes with two intermissions

Tickets: $40-$174 at 312-341-2300 and auditoriumtheatre.org