Elisa Monte Dance Premieres New Season At The Ailey Citigroup Theatre 2/25/2010

The internationally acclaimed Elisa Monte Dance will present another exhilarating season of dance featuring the World premieres of "Continuum," "By Your Side" and "Pockettangle" as well as revival performances of "Dreamtime" and "Absolute Rule," "Shattered," Treading," & "Hardwood" when the company bounds into New York City's The Ailey Citigroup Theatre (at the Joan Weill Center for Dance/405 West 55th Street at 9th Avenue) on Thursday, February 25th (8PM) with two programs of performances slated through March 7th. Celebrating 29 years of rich history, Elisa Monte continues to illustrate her intimate connection with many of the century's greatest masters such as Martha Graham, Alvin Ailey and Agnes deMille, while maintaining a fresh, vitality to her work that is widely respected for its emotional, sensual style and intricate technique.

The engagement's debut works reinforces Ms. Monte's commitment to creative collaborations by introducing composers to the dance world through the use of their work and commissioning new music for contemporary dance. "Continuum" is collaboration with contemporary composer Joe Dallarda and will explore the nature of ambiguity through high speed agility and sophisticated patterning. Unfolding as a kinetic stream of conscience, the new work will highlight the full company as it exposes the fragility of the community's structure and hence the elusiveness of ambiguity. Choreographed is by Ms. Monte.

Also premiering this season is "By Your Side" a new work which explores the interdependence of relationships, detailing how quickly seemingly simple tasks become insurmountable, and how we find ourselves looking for signs of help and hopefulness with music by CocoRosie and choreography by Tiffany Rea Fisher - (Associate Artistic Director) and "Pockettangle" which draws its physical inspiration from the dichotomous branching of plant stems, veins, and vines. An exploration of codependency, "Pockettangle" provides an intimate glimpse into a relationship born of instability. Music is composed by Another Electronic Musician with choreographed by company member Joe Celej. "By Your Side" and "Pocket Tangle" are made possible by the Junior Board of Elisa Monte Dance through their New Choreographers Fund.

The program continues with the revival of "Dreamtime," (1986) an epic dance work set to a commissioned score by composer David Van Tieghem. Centering on Australian Aboriginal rituals as a focus for the work, van Teighem and Elisa Monte envisioned a wild ride of music and movement for this piece which is highlighted with lightning speed and powerful virtuosity.

Featuring music by composer Peter Yagar, "Absolute Rule" (1992) is a collaborative duet choreographed by Elisa Monte and the acclaimed dancer/choreographer David Brown. The arresting work investigates the natural ebb and flow of various emotions during the course of a relationship. Elisa Monte describes it as a look into the "push and pull of emotional forces that surround the interaction of two people."

With choreography by Ms. Monte, "Shattered" (2000) captures the spirit and rhythm of Michael Gordon's music. The full company forcefully captures the essence and energy of the piece - an engaging, complex tour-de-force performed with lightning speed and intensity.

Monte's mesmerizing signature work "Treading" (1979), with music by Steve Reich, was originally commissioned by Martha Graham Dance Company as a part of a choreography initiative to develop new work from their artists. Hailed as hypnotic, ‘Treading' accentuates the artistry and technical virtuosity of this troupe and has been performed to critical and audience acclaim.

"Hardwood" (2006) is a 25-minute piece where male and female quartets travel and unite during anarchic and intricate partnering. Composer John King's music is at the center of this imaginative and visceral work that is both physical and playful while contrasting the differing energies of the male and female dancers.

The company will feature Liz Beres, India Bold, Joe Celej, Rachel Homes, Clement Mensah, and Alicia Pegues along with Sean Carmon and Stephanie Jeter. Lighting will be designed by Clifton Taylor and costumes will be designed by Karen Young.

Supporters of Elisa Monte Dance include The Harkness Foundation for Dance, the Shubert Foundation, and the Lila Acheson Wallace Theatre Fund.

The performance schedule in New York, at The Ailey Citigroup Theatre (405 West 55th Street at 9th Avenue) will be scheduled in two programs: Program A will be performed Feb. 25th-28 and include: Absolute Rule, By Your Side, Continuum, Treading and Dreamtime; Program B will be performed March 4th-7th and will include Hardwood, By Your Side Continuum, Pockettangle and Shattered. The playing schedule is as follows: Thursday, February 25th and Friday, February 26th at 8pm, Saturday, February 27th at 2pm and 8pm, Sunday, February 28th at 2pm, Thursday, March 4th and Friday, March 5th at 8pm, Saturday, March 6th at 2pm and 8pm, and Sunday, March 7th at 2pm.

Tickets are $39. For additional information and to purchase tickets, call at (212) 868-4444 or online: www.smarttix.com

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