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Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Ronald K. Brown's Open Door

Repertory

Open Door

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

WORLD PREMIERE

New York City Center, 2015

ASSISTANT TO CHOREOGRAPHER

Arcell Cabuag

MUSIC

“La Puerta” by Luis Demetrio, performed by Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. “All of the Americas” is the 2nd movement of Afro Latin Jazz Suite by Arturo O’Farrill, performed by Arturo O’Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra. “Vaca F

COSTUMES

Keiko Voltaire

LIGHTING

Al Crawford

RUN TIME

26 Minutes

Renowned for his fusion of African and modern dance, Ronald K. Brown adds new flavor to his signature style, setting this enlivening work to recordings by Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. Open Door, Brown’s sixth work for the Company, is physically demanding, musically intricate, and joyous.

“Ronald K. Brown combines the impassive swagger of club dance with the undulant torso, winging arms and rhythmic feet of West African dance. He unites precise mime with the signifying arms and shoulders of the street. He shows and tells… The bright actions read clearly, and their prominence in the flow of steps is new to Brown.” – The Financial Times

“It’s a pleasure to watch…fit bodies breeze through physically demanding, musically intricate material, on this occasion catchy Latin jazz… [this ballet is] never less than joyous.” – The New York Times

“…smooth, polyrhythmic, Cuban-based dancing… the dancing is winning and easy on the eyes.” – The Wall Street Journal

Photo of Ailey dancers in two rows Open Door

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Ronald K. Brown's Open Door Photo by Paul Kolnik

Photo of Ailey dancers with one cenetered in Open Door

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Ronald K. Brown's Open Door Photo by Paul Kolnik

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.

The Village Voice - Promised Lands
The formidable Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater closes its spring season at Lincoln Center this week with a challenging "21st Century Voices" bill that features new and recent work by four African-American choreographers, all mid-career award-winners deserving of their exposure.

Sponsors

The creation of Open Door was supported by commissioning funds from New York City Center. Generous support was also provided by The Jaharis Family Foundation, Tracy Elise Poole, and The Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey - Sara & Bill Morgan New Works Endowment Fund.