 |
||||
|
For Immediate Release NEW YORK NIGHTLIFE GETS HOTTER
Conceived by the company’s artistic director, Tina Ramirez, the full evening dance-theater work tells three stories in three acts, without an intermission, using powerful Latin rhythms and the intimate language of dance. Choreographers Graciela Daniele, Alexandre Magno and Sergio Trujillo have created worlds full of vivid characters, provocative themes and seductive dancing that seamlessly blend ballet, modern and a full range of Latin social dances. The first story, Graciela Daniele's compelling “Cada Noche…Tango” (“Every Night…Tango”) is set in a Buenos Aires brothel in the 1920’s. In the dark of night men and women come together to bond, to choose lovers and to dance. The potency of Astor Piazzolla’s music is the driving force in this world. “Dejame Soñar” (“Let Me Dream”), choreographed by Alexandre Magno and set in a social club in Spanish Harlem in the 1950’s, is an ethereal dance of hope, kinship and sacrifice. Infused with the rich and sultry sounds of Tito Puente and Pink Martini, the characters find home on the dance floor. And finally there is Sergio Trujillo's “Hoy Como Ayer” (“Today Like Yesterday”). We step beyond the velvet rope of modern day clubs, into an uninhibited landscape where temptations are not what they seem. The dynamic fusion of music by DJ St. Germain, Gotan Project and XAlfonso electrifies the air as the dancers reach a high-energy climax. The libretto for “NightClub” is by Jim Lewis; the set design by Neil Patel; the costumes are by Paul Tazewell; and the lighting is by Peggy Eisenhauer (Part 1) and Howell Binkley (Part 2 & 3). Argentinean-born Graciela Daniele has been nominated for eleven Tony Awards and six Drama Desk awards both for her choreography and for her work as a director. Her credits include the Tony Award-winning revival of “Annie Get Your Gun,” as well as award-winning productions of “Once on This Island” and “Ragtime." Daniele also choreographed Woody Allen’s films “Mighty Aphrodite” and “Everyone Says I Love You,” both of which earned her Fosse Awards. In 1998, Daniele directed and choreographed “A New Brain” at Lincoln Center Theatre, where she is a resident director. Alexandre Magno creates dances that combine such varied forms of movement as jazz, flamenco, hip-hop, ballet and modern dance. His choreographic work includes Madonna’s “Drowned World Tour” and the 62nd Academy Awards, as well as other film and television productions. Magno also formed his own dance company, Personna Production Co., which has performed at the International Dance Festival of Joinville, Brazil, the largest festival in South America. Sergio Trujillo’s recent choreographic work includes “Salome” for the New York City Opera, productions of “The Sound of Music” and “West Side Story" for the Stratford Festival in Canada and the world premiere of “Peggy Sue Got Married” in London. As a dancer, Trujillo has appeared on Broadway in “Guys and Dolls,” “Kiss of the Spider Woman” and the original production of “Fosse,” as well as in the film “Chicago” and various music videos and television specials. Ballet Hispanico, founded by Artistic Director Tina Ramirez in 1970, has commissioned over 70 new works, which fuse contemporary American dance and Hispanic culture. Touring throughout the United States, South America and Europe, it has forged a reputation as a world-class company, an award-winning school and a leader in arts education through “Primeros Pasos,” its nationwide public school program, which reaches over 25,000 students around the country each year. In its three decades, the company has performed for over two million people in major venues throughout the U.S., as well as internationally, bringing major works by distinguished choreographers including Tony Award winners Ann Reinking and George Faison, modern innovator David Roussève and Spanish talent Ramón Oller. For her inestimable contribution to Hispanic culture in the United States, Tina Ramirez was awarded the prestigious Hispanic Heritage Award for Education at The Kennedy Center in 1999. In 2003, Ramirez was awarded the Dance Magazine Award. Following preview performances in Charlotte, NC (September 5), Ballet Hispanico has previewed “NightClub” in such cities as Chicago, IL (September 25); Milwaukee, WI (September 27); and Columbus, OH (October 3). After Skirball, the tour continues with performances of “NightClub” in New Haven, CT (January 30); Stamford, CT (February 6); Conway, AR (February 10); Lubbock, TX (February 12); El Paso, TX (February 14); Scottsdale, AZ (February 19–20); and Escondido, CA (February 22). Other repertory stops include Kilmarnock, VA (February 29); Newark, NJ (March 5–7); Charleston, SC (April 15); and Durham, NC (April 17). The curtain for “NightClub” is 8pm, Tuesday through Saturday, with 3pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for Tuesday and Wednesday nights, as well as the matinee shows, are $30–$40; Thursday through Saturday night, tickets cost $40-$50. All tickets are available at the Skirball Center box office, by calling 212-992-8484 or 866-468-7619, online at http://www.ticketweb.com and http://www.elnightclub.com or by emailing nightclub@ballethispanico.org. The Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts is located at 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South.
|
||||