Share

Star-Studded Opening Night Gala Features One-Night Only Performance with Pièce d’Occasion Choreographed by Hope Boykin featuring Honorary Chair Cynthia Erivo
and Alvin Ailey’s Masterpiece Revelations Performed with Live Music

Enjoy New Productions of Ronald K. Brown’s Dancing Spirit and Jamar Roberts’ Ode on December 1

Learn Alvin Ailey’s Iconic Choreography During a Free Online Revelations Around the World Workshop with Ailey Extension on December 2

More Week One Highlights Include Revelations with Live Music and
Launch of American Express® Family Matinee Series on Saturday Afternoons with Ailey Classics Program  

 

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29: OPENING NIGHT GALA BENEFIT
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater kicks off its 65th anniversary season with a star-studded one-night only gala benefit on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 7pm with Honorary Chairs Tony®, Emmy®, and GRAMMY® Award-winning and Oscar-nominated actress, singer, author, and producer Cynthia Erivo and 3x Emmy® Award-winning co-host of ABC’s “The View” and 2x New York Times best-selling author Sunny Hostin. Complete with an exceptional performance at New York City Center followed by a dinner-party at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, this year’s gala honors beloved trailblazer and iconic Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison in her 80th year. A special program for the evening features a pièce d’occasion entitled A Tribute and Celebration, for Judith Jamison; choreographed by former Ailey dancer Hope Boykin in collaboration with vocal powerhouse Cynthia Erivo. The performance culminates with the inspiring finale of Alvin Ailey’s signature masterpiece Revelations with an unforgettable score of spirituals sung live by a soul-stirring choir.

Following the performance, prominent figures in the worlds of entertainment, business, philanthropy, and politics will gather for an evening of dinner and dancing at the Ziegfeld Ballroom. Expected guests include June Ambrose, Tremaine Emory, André Holland, LaChanze, Damaris Lewis, Olga Merediz, Leslie Odom, Jr., Karen Pittman, Bevy Smith,Lorraine Toussaint, Lena Waithe, and Susan Kelechi Watson. Proceeds from the Gala support the creation of new works, scholarships for talented students at The Ailey School, and Ailey’s educational programs for children. The event’s co-chairs are Emily & Len Blavatnik, Raina & Jack Pitts, Dr. Danielle Robinson & Reverend Dwayne McClary, Daria L. & Eric J. Wallach, Joan & Sandy Weill, Elaine Wynn and Pamela D. Zilly & John H. Schaefer; vice chairs are Jill & Gunther Bright, Anthony S. Kendall, Anthony A. Lewis, and Leslie & Tom Maheras. Click here for the full Opening Night Gala Benefit press release.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1: DANCING SPIRIT – NEW PRODUCTION
On Friday, December 1 at 8pm Ailey reveals a new production of Ronald K. Brown’s Dancing Spirit – a tribute to Judith Jamison’s profound influence with a moving work that echoes the title of Jamison’s autobiography. Set to music by Duke Ellington, Wynton Marsalis, and War, Brown’s evocative choreography uses movement from Cuba, Brazil, and the United States to conjure dancing spirits who embody Jamison’s elegance, dignity, and generosity.

Performance Dates: Dec. 1 eve, Dec. 3 mat, Dec. 6 eve, Dec. 13 eve, Dec. 21 eve, Dec. 23 eve, Dec. 27 eve, Dec. 29 eve

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1: ODE – NEW PRODUCTION
On Friday, December 1 at 8pm witness a new production of Ode from former Ailey dancer Jamar Roberts. Ode offers a meditation on the beauty and fragility of life in a time of growing gun violence. Set on six dancers, this tender, engrossing work will be staged with an all-female cast and features a jazz score—Don Pullen’s “Suite (Sweet) Malcolm (Part 1 Memories and Gunshots)”—and Roberts’s own costume designs.

Performance Dates: Dec. 1 eve, Dec. 3 mat, Dec. 16 eve, Dec. 20 eve, Dec 22 eve, Dec 26 eve, Dec. 29 eve

REVELATIONS with LIVE MUSIC
Throughout opening weekend, experience Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations with live music. More than just a popular dance work, Revelations has become a cultural treasure, beloved by generations of fans and acclaimed as a must-see for all. Using African American spirituals, the work fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul.

Performance Dates: Nov. 29 eve, Dec. 1 eve, Dec. 2 mat, Dec 2 eve, Dec. 3 mat

MORE WEEK ONE HIGHLIGHTS

FAMILY MATINEE SERIES
Each Saturday afternoon in December, bring the whole family to enjoy the performance and stay for a Q & A with Ailey dancers in the theater following the inspiring finale of Revelations, acclaimed as a must-see for all ages. On Saturday, December 2 the American Express® Family Matinee Series kicks off with an invitation to commemorate the memorable moment with friends and family at a photo booth starting at 1pm, as well as a post-performance Q&A with Ailey dancers moderated by pioneer of Broadway social media, Felicia Fitzpatrick and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Rehearsal Director Ronni Favors. Photos provided on a first come, first serve basis. Not everyone who wishes to have a photo may have the opportunity.

Performance Dates: Dec. 2 mat, Dec. 9 mat, Dec. 16 mat, Dec. 23 mat, Dec. 30 mat

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2 AT 2PM: AILEY CLASSICS
This special two-act Ailey Classics program is comprised of excerpts from some of Alvin Ailey’s beloved  ballets including Memoria, Night Creature, Pas de Duke, Masekela Langage, Opus McShann, Love Songs, Refelections in D, andFor ‘Bird’ – With Love.  In Act 1 Memoria honors the life of a cherished friend and Night Creature fuses Ailey’s buoyant choreography with Duke Ellington’s sparkling music. Act II features the strong yet serene solo Reflections in D along withhighlights from the spirited duet Pas de Duke, the commanding choreography in Masekela Langage, the comical meandering of Opus McShann, the lyrical solo from Love Songs, and the magical Charlie Parker tribute For ‘Bird’ – with Love.

Performance Dates: Dec. 2 mat, Dec. 5 eve, Dec. 10 eve, Dec. 23 mat, Dec. 27 mat

REVELATIONS AROUND THE WORLD WORKSHOP AT AILEY EXTENSION – DECEMBER 2
Ailey fans around the world are invited to join Director of Ailey Extension and former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company Member Lisa Johnson-Willingham for a free online Revelations Around the World Workshop on Saturday, December 2 at 3:30pm. Dancers across the globe will come together virtually to learn excerpts of choreography from Ailey’s signature masterpiece Revelations. Since its premiere in 1960, Alvin Ailey’s Revelations has consistently enraptured audiences all over the world with its perfect blend of reverent grace and spiritual elation. Using African American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs, and holy blues, Ailey’s timeless masterpiece fervently explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul. This enduring classic is a tribute to that tradition, born out of the choreographer’s “blood memories” of his childhood in rural Texas and the Baptist Church. Revelations has been performed continuously around the globe, transcending barriers of faith and nationality, and appealing to universal emotions, making it one of the most recognized ballets in the world.

CALENDAR LISTING INFORMATION

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world’s most popular dance companies, returns to New York City Center November 29 – December 31, 2023, for an engagement that has become a joyous holiday tradition. Ailey’s extraordinary dancers will move audiences with world premieres by Amy Hall Garner and Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish along with new productions and a variety of repertory favorites. For this 65th anniversary season, highlights of a dozen works by founder Alvin Ailey will be presented in special programs, including performances featuring music by jazz greats and his American masterpiece Revelations, both danced to live music at selected performances. Tickets starting at $32 are on sale now at the New York City Center Box Office, through Customer Care at 212-581-1212, or online at www.alvinailey.org or www.nycitycenter.org. For further information, visit www.alvinailey.org.

Performance Times:

Opening Night Gala (November 29)         7pm (note earlier curtain time)
Tuesday – Thursday evenings                     7:30pm
Wednesday matinee (Dec. 20 & 27)         2pm
Friday & Saturday evenings                        8pm
Saturday Family matinees                           2pm
Sunday matinees                                          3pm
New Year’s Eve matinee                              2pm

 

For New York City Center season press release, click here.
For 2023 season images, click here.
For 2023 season sizzle reel, click here.
For additional photos and video, please visit pressroom.alvinailey.org.
UPCOMING PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7:  ME, MYSELF AND YOU – WORLD PREMIERE
Premiering on Thursday, December 7 at 7:30pm, former Ailey dancer Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish’s dreamlike duet Me, Myself and You is a dance about reminiscence. Set to Damien Sneed and Brandie Sutton’s rendition of “In A Sentimental Mood,” it conjures the memories of love and passion for a woman asking herself if she should let go or forge ahead.

Performance Dates: Dec. 7 eve, Dec. 9 eve, Dec. 16 eve, Dec. 22 eve, Dec. 23 eve, Dec. 27 eve

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7:  SOLO – NEW PRODUCTION
On Thursday, December 7 at 7:30pm Hans van Manen divides his dynamic Solo among three dancers in a tour-de-force that challenges the Ailey men’s daring, agility, and grace. This explosive display of virtuosity and wit, set to a Bach violin suite, launches the performers into an exhilarating whirlwind of movement and musicality.

Performance Dates: Dec. 7 eve, Dec. 9 eve, Dec. 23 eve, Dec. 27 eve

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8:  CENTURY – WORLD PREMIERE
Ailey’s first ever Artist-in-Residence Amy Hall Garner debuts CENTURY – her first work for Ailey – on Friday, December 8 at 8pm. This deeply personal piece inspired by her grandfather on the eve of his 100th birthday takes a cue from his spirited essence and is set to the music of Ray Charles, Count Basie, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and more. CENTURYis a pure dance work celebrating life, resilience, and joy.

Performance Dates: Dec. 8 eve, Dec. 10 eve, Dec. 16 eve, Dec. 21 eve, Dec. 22 eve, Dec. 29 eve, Dec. 30 mat, Dec. 31 mat