Photographer: Paul Kolnik
Members Don't Get Weary Choreography: Jamar Roberts
There's always joy in the air at an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater show. The company, its storied history, and the jubilance that the dancers and their choreographers get from being part of a company that literally has chanced forever the perception of American dance is palpable in every introduction, step, and curtain bow.
On Thursday night at the Arsht Center, celebrating the 10 years of the Ailey company's partnership with Miami, there was an even higher sense of jubilance. A curtain speech brought John Richard, president and CEO of the center to the podium to introduce the Ailey company. Richard, who has been with the Arsht for a decade will step down from his position at the end of 2018. (On a side note, the Arsht Center's 12th Anniversary Gala: A Celebration of Leadership" on Saturday, March 24, will honor Richard's decade of service. A search committee is in place to find a replacement).
Photographer: Paul Kolnik
REVELATIONS Choreography: Alvin Ailey
Richard talked about Ailey's commitment to Miami, and introduced native son Robert Battle, now artistic director, who grew up in Miami's Liberty City, and was personally selected by dancer/choreographer Judith Jamison, making him only the third person to head the company since it was founded in 1958.
Battle spoke of his mother in the audience as the inspiration for the piece that would be performed entitled "Ella." It was another banner night for Miami and Ailey as Ailey star Jamar Roberts received the key to the city of Miami and that Feb. 22 was designated Jamar Roberts day. The Miami native, Coral Reef Senior High School and New World School of the Arts alum, received the designation only hours before his work "Members Don't Get Weary" debut at the Arsht center by the Ailey group.
And herein lies the perfect segue to Thursday night's performances. Ailey presents a few different programs in its time in Miami, Feb. 22 to 25. Thursday night's program is the same that will be seen on Saturday. The program featured Robert Battle's "Mass," Battle's "Ella," Roberts' "Members Don't Get Weary," and the perennial "Revelations" that always ends an Ailey show, and will be forever a showstopper. Revelations was created in 1960 by Alvin Ailey.
Battle told the audience before the dancers arrived on stage for his work "Mass," that it was inspired while seeing Verdi's "Requiem" at Carnegie Hall. He has been quoted in other stories as saying that he found himself "utterly absorbed in the intricacies of how the choir moved as a unit and then organized and condensed themselves in the pews.' "Mass" was originally created for a New Dances program at the Julliard School in 2004, and was entered into the Ailey repertoire in 2017. No doubt it will become a mainstay.
Photographer: Gert Krautbauer
REVELATIONS Choreography: Alvin Ailey
The company appears in flowing robes of red and yellow, some with crosses on their chests. The meaning of "Mass" can be interpreted in his dance in a number of ways. As the dancers collectively move, with sometimes a soloist breaking out, there's a group that moves together, but then there is a reason to free yourself from the mass. One dancer juts out – he's a character that just doesn't fit, and doesn't want to be in tune with the group. The original composition that accompanies "Mass" by John Mackey is, at times, loud booming drum beats, and xylophone tones, as the dancers stomp with flat feet, roll on the floor, and, like energetic atoms, bubble up together.
Next up, "Ella," which showcases as much of Ella Fitzgerald's incomparable voice as the wonderfully inventive choreography of Battle. Syncopated steps, which Samantha Figgins and Chalvar Monteiro keep together in perfect duality, are as staccato and rhythmic as Ella's mad scatting in the recorded vocals from a live performance of Benny Goodman's "Airmail Special."”
Roberts's "Members Don’t Get Weary" got its World Premiere with his choreographic debut on the company inspired by the blues. Roberts has said about the piece, “As a response to the current social landscape in America, 'Members Don’t Get Weary' takes an abstract look into the notion of ‘having the blues.’”
Roberts also designed the costumes for the piece, where the garb almost looks like prison jumpsuits. Ten barefoot dancers wear huge straw hats, recalling workers in cotton fields. They look up to the sky as if weary from the sun, their hands folded at times as if worshipping in prayer. The jazz instrumental music of American composer John Coltrane, "Dear Lord" sets the tone for the group, moving in unison, which eventually gives way Coltrane's rhythmic "Ole," to Jeroboam Bozeman's strong solo, and then Jacqueline Green's curvy and winsome moves. The strong Bozeman then joins Ghrai DeVore in a sensual pairing, where, DeVore, at one point rips the shirt from Bozeman, leaving it hanging around his waist. It's almost as if she's helped to free him from whatever has kept him chained.
As always, the illustrious end to any Ailey show is the historic "Revelations," Alvin Ailey's glorious cultural heritage treasure, and an enduring tribute to Ailey, who created the choreography in 1960, and whose timeless message continues to endure.
Alvin Ailey Dance is at the Arsht Center Feb. 22 through 25. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
