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Two dancers in a performance. The dancer in the foreground is shirtless, wearing a metallic loincloth, with arms outstretched. The dancer behind wears a decorative costume and headdress. The background features a soft, abstract design. Text at the bottom reads: THE ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER.

Repertory

Icarus

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

COMPANY PREMIERE

Buitensocieteit Zwolle, Holland, 1968

WORLD PREMIERE

92nd Street YM-YWHA, 1964

MUSIC

Shin Ichi Matsushita

COSTUMES

Beni Montressor

LIGHTING

Nicola Cernovitch

Lucas Hoving’s stylized ballet recounts the myth of Daedalus who, imprisoned with his son Icarus, devised wings to enable them to escape. Overcome by the ecstasy of flying, Icarus flew toward the Sun (who becomes the third character in the piece), whereupon his wings burned and he fell to his death. 

Three dancers in costume standing together. The dancer on the left wears a decorative robe and headdress. The dancer in the center wears a strapless, flowing gown. The dancer on the right is shirtless, wearing a metallic loincloth. The background is dark and the floor is visible.

Dudley Williams, Kelvin Rotardier, and Consuelo Atlas in Lucas Hoving's Icarus Photo by Piet van der Ham

A dancer wearing an elaborate headdress and a long, flowing costume extends one arm gracefully. The stage is dimly lit with a plain dark background. The number 18 is in the top right corner of the photo.

Donna Wood in Lucas Hoving's Icarus Photo courtesy of Ailey Archives

Two dancers in a performance. The dancer in the foreground is shirtless, wearing a metallic loincloth, with arms outstretched. The dancer behind wears a decorative costume and headdress. The background features a soft, abstract design. Text at the bottom reads: THE ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER.

Dudley Williams and Kelvin Rotardier in Lucas Hoving's Icarus Photo by Jarry Lang