ZEALnyc, November 17, 2016
The Joyce Theater, the world's only theater built by dancers for dance, has announced an exciting Spring 2017 that features world premiers and New York debuts in its intimate, elegant Chelsea home.
The Joyce opens its season with a collaboration between New York City Ballet star Wendy Whelan and choreographer/dancer Brian Brooks, continuing a relationship that began at The Joyce in 2013. Some of a Thousand Words is their second collaboration and the two are joined by the very hip string quartet, Brooklyn Rider, in a score that features Glass, Adams, Braxton, Cooper and original work by Brooklyn Rider member Colin Jacobsen. The Whelan/Brooks collaboration garnered lots of praise three years ago, and this go round promises to be equally exciting.
Wendy Whelan and Brian Brooks in 'Some of a Thousand words;'
photo by Nir Arieli
Scottish Ballet has won The Joyce Theater's 2016 Rudolf Nureyev Prize for New Dance, and they celebrate with an early April residency and three New York premiers. Christopher Bruce's Ten Poems speaks of nostalgia to a reading of Dylan Thomas poems. Artistic Director Christopher Hampson's Sinfonietta Giocosa and Bryan Arias' Motion of Displacement also are on the bill for this anticipated Joyce-debut residency.
In March, The Hamburg Ballet also makes a Joyce debut with John Neumeier's Old Friends. Neumeier has created over 150 ballets since assuming his position with Hamburg in 1973, focusing on the preservation of ballet tradition in a modern, dramatic framework. Old Friends looks at changing relationships, set to the music of both Simon and Garfunkel and Chopin.
Other international companies play The Joyce including return visits by Sydney Dance Company (March), Compagnie CNDC Angers - Robert Swinston with works of Merce Cunningham (April), and Gauthier Dance//Dance Company Theaterhaus Stuttgart with the New York premiere of its full-length ballet, NIJINSKI.
Ivan Urban and Alexander Riabko of Hamburg Ballet in 'Opus 100;'
photo by Kiran West
A number of Joyce favorites return this season including Ballet Hispánico (April), Stephen Petronio Company (March), Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (April) and Limón Dance in May.
In June, Joyce Unleased returns. Inaugurated in 2014, Unleashed highlights emerging and experimental artists in interesting New York City locations.
Since its opening in 1982, The Joyce Theater has provided New York with fascinating programming in a delightfully personal setting. With 2017, this tradition clearly continues.
Visit The Joyce Theater for more information on the Spring 2017 season.
Cover photo: Sophie Martin and Victor Zarallo of Scottish Ballet in Bryan Arias' 'Motion of Displacement;' photo by Andy Ross.
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