Complexions Contemporary Ballet's Desmond Richardson. Photo by Steve Vaccariello. The Joffrey Ballet's Victoria Jaiani and Temur Suluashvili. Photo by Herbert Migdoll______________
The dance companies of Chicago have been working tirelessly over the summer to prepare their fall concerts and now audiences get to reap the rewards. If you've taken a break from the theatre, October is the perfect month to get back out there and see some wonderful dancing from Chicago artists and some remarkable out of town guests. Here are some of the exciting shows coming up:
Presented by the Columbia College Dance Center, the Merce Cunningham Dance Company returns to Chicago to perform at the Harris Theatre for Music and Dance, 205 E. Randolph, Oct. 12-13. Each night features a different program of the iconic choreographer's work, spanning from 1960 to 2007. Both programs will include eyeSpace ( sic ) , which utilizes Cunningham's signature application of chance methods by equipping audience members with their own iPods, each on shuffle, so that everyone's listening experience is a little different. 312-344-6600; $16-$50.
Audiences get a rare chance to see an immortal classic when The Joffrey Ballet premieres Giselle Oct. 17-28 at the Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Congress. Originally performed by the Paris Opera in 1841, this is ballet's most famous ghost story about love and redemption. Frederic Franklin, legendary Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo dancer, has coached the Joffrey ensemble for this production, and Adolph Adams' haunting score will be performed by the Chicago Sinfonietta. 312-902-1500; $25-$140.
Luna Negra Dance Theatre performs at the Harris Theatre Oct. 19-21. Headlining the program is the world premiere of CUGAT!, an homage to the 'Mambo King' Xavier Cugat, choreographed by Eduardo Vilaro with live accompaniment by Angel Melendez & The 911 Mambo Orchestra. The show also offers the reprise of Sugar in the Raw by Michelle Manzanales, the Chicago premiere of Tango Vitrola by Argentinean choreographer Alejandro Cervera and the Chicago premiere of Ellegro con Sabor by Pedro Ruiz, a work commissioned by The Joffrey Ballet in collaboration with Luna Negra, performed by dancers from both companies. 312-344-7777; $25-$55.
Thodos Dance Chicago brings their fall engagement to the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, Oct. 19-21. The show will include a world premiere by artistic director Melissa Thodos called Anasa, celebrating her Greek heritage and the women of ancient Greek myths. Also, a company premiere by Lucas Crandall, artistic associate of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and work by Shapiro & Smith, Lar Lubovitch, Brock Clawson, Jessica Miller Tomlinson and Stephanie Hilton. 312-902-1500; $15-$35.
Contemporary ensemble Zephyr Dance premieres a new evening-length work by artistic director Michelle Kranicke, Oct. 25-27, at the Dance Center of Columbia College, 1306 S. Michigan. The new work, Just Left of Remote, examines the relationship between aging and isolation, combining multimedia elements, periods of frenetic movement and poignant moments of stillness. 312-344-6600; $20-$28.
Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago presents its fall concert at the Harris Theatre Oct. 26-27. This energetic jazz ensemble offers a program mixing premiere and repertory work, always rich in acrobatic, passionate and complex dancing. The evening includes a new piece by Kiesha Lalama-White called Let's Play, the company premiere of Sherry Zunker's The Man Who Got Away, the hit Pyrokinesis by former Alvin Ailey dancer Christopher Higgins, Davis Robertson's Entropy and Tony Powell's Impulse. 312-344-7777; $25-$50.
Hedwig Dances presents Sweet Darkness, a new collection of modern works, Nov. 1-2 and Nov. 4 at the Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Theatre, 3035 N. Hoyne. Hedwig Dances is known for their evocative dream-like imagery and elegantly poetic movement phrasing. This show includes the premiere of Earthly Tongues by artistic director Jan Bartoszek, exploring her Polish heritage and the eternal question of nature versus nurture, as well as Bartoszek's Night Blooming Jasmine, choreography by New York-based guest artists Bill Young and Colleen Thomas and a new piece by company member Kirsty MacKellar. 773-871-0872; $12-$15.
Same Planet Different World Dance Theatre celebrates their 10th anniversary with a spectacular 'best of' show Nov. 9-11 at the Ruth Page Theatre, 1016 N. Dearborn. The evening features selections of the versatile troupe's rich repertory, ranging from quirky and comical to high velocity jazz and captivating modern. Highlighting the evening is a company premiere by Shirley Mordine and a world premiere by New York artist Ashleigh Leite, as well as choreography by Jan Erkert, Sam Watson, Jason Ohlberg and more. 312-337-6543; $15-$20.
Lastly, Chicago welcomes Complexions Contemporary Ballet from New York City, Nov. 10-11. Fusing ballet, modern, urban street dance, fashion, art and improvisation, this virtuosic company performs at the Auditorium Theatre. Founded by former Alvin Ailey dancers Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, this innovative group brings a fresh perspective to the expression of race, culture and background. 312-902-1500; $30-$49.
