Quick reviews of recent events
Submit your own review or commentary to Events@CoolCleveland.com

Alvin Ailey @ State Theatre Theatre 5/15

Imagine the nerve of a Black dancer/choreographer who, in the 1950s, at the height of segregation in this country, deciding to start a company whose purpose was to tell the story of African Americans. The person? Alvin Ailey. The results? A company that in 2009 is celebrating its 50th anniversary and is on an upward curve, while other arts organizations are withering on the vine.

The works of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre range from classical ballet, to jazz, to native American dance. Though Ailey died in 1989 at the age of 58, his hand-selected successor, Judith Jamison, took over the company and has helped it thrive.

Ask any of those who gave screaming curtain call after curtain call to the company in their recent State Theatre production, co-presented by Playhouse Square and Dance Cleveland, with sponsorship by Huntington Bank, and they'll tell you that they had just experienced a presentation of dance wonderment!

In the company's sixth Cleveland appearance, the program included 'REVELATIONS,' considered by many to be the best-known and most often seen modern dance piece. The program also included excerpts from 'BLUES SUITE,' one of Ailey's earliest works. Also showcased in the fourteen selection program, were a powerful rendition of 'STREAMS,' the engrossing 'MARY LOU'S MASS,' the beautifully performed, 'HIDDEN RITES,' the finely honed 'NIGHT CREATURE,' and the sensual 'PHRASES.'

The curtain call, the stirring 'ROCKS THE SOLE,' was a perfect ending to an outstanding evening dance which, on opening night of the three performance stand, was thoroughly enjoyed by the near sold-out audience.

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT: It is going to be interesting to see what happens as the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre confronts the future with the retirement of Jamison and a new, yet unannounced leader. Let's hope that whoever is selected has the insight and creativity of the two preceding bright lights of dance.

Roy Berko's blog, which contains theatre and dance reviews from 2001 through 2009, as well as his consulting and publications information, can be found at http://royberko.info

His reviews can also be found on http://www.coolcleveland.com and NeOHIOpal. To subscribe visit http://mailman.listserve.com/listmanager/listinfo/neohiopal. (:divend:)