Hummingbird Centre – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre

by Paula Citron

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre arrived in town over the weekend and played before an adoring crowd. That the dancers are stupendous is a given, but as my other reviews of this ensemble from various festivals have pointed out, I have a serious point of contention with the company.

Alvin Ailey died in 1989 and audiences must let the company move on. Of course it is important to include an Ailey piece in the repertoire, but the man created 79 ballets and to put his in demand 1960 signature piece Revelations on every program is doing the choreographer a disservice.

Take the opening night. We got a glimpse of new repertoire with Hans van Manen’s brilliant 1997 Solo and 2004’s terrific Love Stories choreographed by Judith Jamison, Robert Battle and Rennie Harris. Ailey was well represented by 1974’s Night Creature. The fact that Revelations was the closer cut out a piece that would show where the company is today.

From the Hummingbird Centre, I’m Paula Citron, arts reviewer for CLASSICAL 96.3 FM.