A man supports a woman as she bends backwards arching her back.

Repertory

After the Rain Pas de Deux

COMPANIES

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

CHOREOGRAPHER

Christopher Wheeldon

COMPANY PREMIERE

New York City Center, 2014

WORLD PREMIERE

New York City Ballet, Lincoln Center, 2005

LIGHTING

Mark Stanley

RESTAGING

Jason Fowler

MUSIC

Arvo Pärt SPIEGEL IM SPIEGEL - used by arrangement with European American Music Distributors Company, U.S. and Canadian agent for Universal Edition Vienna, publisher and copyright owner.

COSTUMES

Holly Hynes

RUN TIME

9 minutes

In Christopher Wheeldon’s After the Rain Pas de Deux, a couple performs a haunting duet to Estonian composer Arvo Pärt’s Spiegel im Spiegel. The work first premiered in 2005 at New York City Ballet’s annual New Combinations Evening honoring the anniversary of George Balanchine’s birth. The dreamlike pas de deux, widely praised for its sublime simplicity and intricate partnering, is revealed in a fresh light as the Ailey dancers make it their own. Whether seen as a dance about love and longing, or a depiction of death and loss, this abstract work has a profound impact on audiences.

After the Rain Pas De Deux by Christopher Wheeldon

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Jacquelin Harris and Michael Jackson, Jr. in Christopher Wheeldon's After the Rain Pas De Deux Photo by Francette Levieux

Female dancer holding the hand of a male dancer on laying on the floor

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Jacquelin Harris and Michael Jackson, Jr. in Christopher Wheeldon's After the Rain Pas De Deux Photo by Francette Levieux

The body language suggests intimacy and, on the woman’s part, aspects of abandon and ecstasy.

The New York Times

News & Press

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 2017 International Tour Brings Uplifting Artistry To Paris, Basel, Copenhagen & Five German Cities July 4 – September 10

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congress as “a vital American cultural ambassador to the world,” returns to Paris, Basel, five German cities, and Copenhagen to perform 15 ballets from July 4 – September 10. The Paris engagement (July 4 – 22) kicks off the tour, and marks the debut dance performance at La Seine Musicale, a new state of the art concert hall on an island in the Seine River, which opened in April 2017. Read More

Ailey Announces Programming For Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Performances At The Fox Theatre Feb. 15 - 19 & Activities For Ailey's "Destination Dance" In Atlanta Initiative

A long-beloved member of the Atlanta community with a 41-year history in the city, Ailey announces programming for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s performances at the Fabulous Fox Theatre February 15 – 19, 2017, as well as for the pilot year of Ailey’s “Destination Dance” partnership initiative in Atlanta. Destination Dance will allow Ailey to better serve the Atlanta community by deepening its commitment to the city’s cultural organizations – including Atlanta Ballet and Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, AREA, Dance Canvas, ELEVATE, the Fox Theatre, Spelman College, the Center for Civil and Human Rights, Rialto Center for the Arts, and High Museum of Art – through diverse year-round programming, ranging from performances to dance classes to educational programs for students.

Rare is the ballet that resonates so profoundly with audiences that it becomes an instant hit.

Dance Magazine

FUNDERS

_{This production was made possible with leadership support from the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation. Generous support was provided by The Jaharis Family Foundation, and Judith McDonough Kaminski & Joseph Kaminski.}

Two dancers in front of a screen that looks like a lowering orange sun. They are wearing big hats and have church fans.

Support Ailey

Every donation to AILEY, a non-profit organization, furthers the pioneering vision of our founder, Alvin Ailey, to deliver dance back to the people.

Donate Today

Hero Credit: Photo by Francette Levieux