Doug Varone and Dancers Perform at The Joyce, Now thru 12/7

Applauded worldwide for its athleticism, kinetic artistry, and deep humanity, Doug Varone and Dancers returns to The Joyce Theater from tonight, December 2, through the 7th with a program featuring a world premiere, a beloved revival, and a new solo performed by Doug Varone himself.

A choreographer known for his carefully curated yet wildly diverse musical tastes, Varone drew upon the simultaneously elegiac and ravenous sound of Christopher Rouse's Pulitzer Prize-winning Trombone Concerto to inspire his newest work, Dome. Castles, now one decade old and largely regarded as one of the most important works in the company's repertory, returns to the stage for a highly anticipated revival - its first in NYC since 2006. Rounding out the program is The Fabulist, a work Varone choreographed for himself which premiered this past summer at American Dance Festival (ADF).

The World Premiere of Dome

Christopher Rouse's Trombone Concerto sets the tone for Dome, Varone's new work for eight dancers. Varone cites the score's incredible sonic diversity as a major source of inspiration, describing it as "lyrically mournful, then ragingly grotesque." The choreography responds to these musical fluctuations with emotional intensity to reflect Rouse's dynamic work.

The New York Premiere of The Fabulist

The Fabulist is a recent solo Varone created for himself commissioned by American Dance Festival's "On Their Bodies" program. Set to David Lang's achingly lovely vocal solo "Death Speaks," the work premiered at ADF in July of this year to great acclaim. Ever the storyteller (as the title suggests), The Fabulist is Varone's story of life's memories and the images they evoke, told with powerfully expressive movement. Varone himself returns to the New York stage for the first time in eight years to perform this poignant piece.

Revival of Castles

Since its premiere in 2004, Castles has been frequently referred to as Varone's seminal work, applauded by audiences and critics alike. Praised as "the best new dance piece I've seen in a long time" (Robert Gottlieb, The New York Observer), and a "masterpiece" (Tobi Tobias, Bloomberg News), Castles perfectly pulls together the demanding physicality, narrative elements, and sense of intrigue that have come to define Varone's canon. Set to Prokofiev's sweeping Waltz Suite Op. 110 (derived from his score for "Cinderella"), Castles, featuring a cast of eight dancers, alternately embraces and destabilizes the concept and imagery of a fairytale.

Performance Times: Tue-Wed 7:30pm; Thu-Fri 8pm; Sat 2pm & 8pm; Sun 2pm & 7:30pm. Following the Wednesday performance, there will be a post-performance conversation with Doug Varone. Sunday evening's performance celebrates dancer Eddie Taketa, honoring the culmination of two decades of artistry and commitment to the Company.

Single tickets start at $10. Call JoyceCharge (212-242-0800); visit the Box Office (Monday-Friday, 12- 6pm); or charge online at www.Joyce.org. NOTE: Ticket prices are subject to change. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street.