two men standing next to each with one leg in the air while tilting to the side.

Repertory

Opus McShann

COMPANIES

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

CHOREOGRAPHER

Alvin Ailey

WORLD PREMIERE

New York City Center, 1988

MUSIC

Music composed by Jay McShann and Walter Brown; Music performed by Jay McShann

LIGHTING

Timothy Hunter

DÉCOR & COSTUMES

Randy Barcelo

RUN TIME

37 Minutes

A choreographic portrait of Jay McShann, a great practitioner of Kansas City jazz, Opus McShann explores the myriad styles this jazz master exuded in his music. From the sexy, beguiling duet in “Gee Baby Ain’t I Good to You” to the comical, meandering “Doo Wah Doo,” Opus McShann presents the “jazz doctor” as a relatable, modern African American icon.

Two men stand next to each other, one in a white button down and black pants bends down hiding behind the other who is wearing a gray suite and waving.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Yannick Lebrun and Christopher Wilson in Alvin Ailey's Opus McShann Photo by Paul Kolnik

A group of dancers in flesh tone dresses look up and reach their hands to the sky

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