Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Wows Lincoln Center Audience Once Again

On a temperate June night, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater performers wowed Lincoln Center audiences once again. The various numbers touched on themes of time, love and relationships, homelessness and African-American culture, leaving a lasting impression on attendees.

The show opened with Jessica Lang‘s “EN,” when dancers graced the stage to tell the story of time. The minimalist stage design featured a glowing orb as well as a hovering moon; the changes in lighting indicating the passed time. Jakub Ciupinski‘s original composition was also reminiscent of a clock’s ticking, accompanied by the pendulum-swinging moon. The number was fast-paced, always providing the audience with a visually-stunning scene. Featuring plenty of partner-work, the dancers dressed in all white completed one another.

Following an intermission, Hope Boykin and Clifton Brown performed Judith Jamison‘s “A Case Of You,” complemented by Diana Krall’s lyrical performance. The number depicted the throws of love and relationships. The duo, wearing matching red attire, emphasized the closeness between partners in their fluid, natural movements.

“Shelter” highlighted a cast of six women including Ghrai DeVore, Samantha Figgins, Jacqueline Green, Jaquelin Harris, Rachael McLaren and Linda Celeste Sims who delivered an eye-opening performance on homelessness. The women donned baggy, neutral colored clothes, often huddling together to illustrate the tired community of those living on the streets. Most strikingly, a spotlight shined down on the banded dancers with fingers pointed out to the audience, the work’s recorded text echoing, “it could happen to you.” At the beginning of the number, the distressed recorded voice underlined the ease it takes to “take a wrong turn” and fall “down, down, down” into New York City’s homeless population.

The performance concluded with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater’s classic “Revelations.” First performed in 1960 and originally choreographed by Alvin Ailey, the number remains a trademark of the dance company. “Revelations” explores African-American heritage and emotions ranging from grief to joy. This ballet has been performed globally as one of the most widely-seen dances in the world.

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