Kinney's Expanded 'MARCH' to Debut at 'Prinz and Friends' Performance at Ailey Citigroup Theater 4/5

A One-Night Only Evening of Classic and Contemporary Dance including Choreography by Artistic Director John Prinz, Michael Chernov and Gelsey Kirkland, James Kinney, Vasily Vainonen, and staging by Elena Kunikova. 'John Prinz and Friends' will take place on Sunday April 5 at 7:30 PM at The Ailey Citigroup Theater/The Joan Weill Center for Dance, 405 W 55 St.

The program this weekend will feature a new piece by Broadway dancer James Kinney. The dancer/budding choreographer recently heard a recording of Stephen Sondheim's "Another Hundred People" from the modern master's iconic musical, set in New York City - COMPANY - and felt he had to stage it. The version that became his inspiration was recorded in 1987, in London, with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and conducted by the legendary Paul Gemignani, with an orchestration by Luther Henderson. 

Kinney debuted the original new dance work for DANCE TRACKS NYC with a hand selected group of 7 dancers at Lincoln Center's Clark Theater in January, 2009.

The performance generated audience excitement and positive critical feedback and Dance Tracks Director Pamela Pardi asked Kinney to continue fleshing out the piece and come back in April for another showcase at The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. He returns with his expanded piece, which now has a working-title of "March" and features 12 dancers, many of whom performed in the earlier work. The dancers featured are Greer Gisy, Kathryn Mowat Murphy, Ivory McKaye, Skye Mattox, Tim McGarrigal, LaMae Caparus, Keven Quillon, Jessica Dillan, John Alix, Brian Beach, Samantha Sturm, and Brandon Tyler Fields. The 12 minute piece will open ACT II.

James Kinney has been performing professionally since the age of 15. He grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and began his classical training with The Florida Ballet, later melding his training into Jazz and Musical Theater. His Broadway credits include: Fosse, Dance of Death, Barry Manilow's Harmony and the most recent revival of Sweet Charity, starring Christina Applegate, where he also served as the production's Assistant Dance Captain. He continued preserving the "Fosse style" when he became the Dance Captain for choreographer Wayne Cilento's First National Tour of Sweet Charity, starring Molly Ringwald.

Film and Television appearances include: "The Producers," "The Dave Chappell Show," PBS' "Dance in America," "Fosse," "Good Morning America" and "The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade." Tours and regional productions include: Oklahoma!, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Cabaret, West Side Story, 42nd Street, Phantom, and the legendary Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular. He has also performed at Carnegie Hall, at The White House and recently danced with Liza Minnelli on "Rosie Live" on NBC.

In addition, James has been teaching at Broadway Dance Center and is currently in preparatory stages, working with Donna McKechnie to create dances and musical numbers for this summer's production of GUYS & DOLLS at The legendary Hollywood Bowl, directed by Richard Jay-Alexander, with Musical Director and Conductor Kevin Stites leading The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

The evening's program will also feature these other exciting works:

John Prinz created a new choreography "Just For Me" on dancer Temple Kemezis

Michael Chernov and Gelsey Kirkland: two new pieces "Epiphany" and "Stealing Time"
danced by Teele Ude

L'Halaquinade, staged by Elena Kunikova danced by Rachel Piskin and Ralph Ippolito,
corps de ballet members of New York City Ballet

Pas de Deux from the ballet "Flames of Paris" choreography by Vasily Vainonen,
danced by Teele Ude and Albert Davydov, principal dancer with New Jersey Ballet

Thomas/Ortiz Dance will showcase three works from their repertoire:
"Undamely", "Frayed Ends" and "For Love or Grace"

Eidolon Ballet's "Apposition" with live modern jazz percussion

Kate Thomas' "Appalachian Suite"

DanceTracksNYC was founded in 1998 by producer Pamela Pardi, who has presented regular showcases in NYC, most recently at The Clark Studio Theater. The organization was founded to provide opportunities for ballet dancers to create and perform work, and does so by presenting an artful blend of classical and contemporary choreography by talented dancemakers.

John Prinz trained in his native Chicago and then as the first scholarship student at the Joffrey Ballet School in NYC. He continued his studies at SAB and joined New York City Ballet in 1963, rising quickly to Principal. In 1970, Prinz joined American Ballet Theatre as a Principal, partnering Natalia
Makarova, Gelsey Kirkland, Carla Fracci and Cynthia Gregory. Prinz' career has continued as teacher, Artistic Director, Ballet Master, and stager of Balanchine ballets, taking him around the world - to Spain, Zurich, Munich, England, around the U.S. - and finally back home to New York City.

Tickets: $40; $30 for students and seniors (10% of the proceeds will be donated to The Actors Fund for The Dancers' Resource Program) *Tickets sold at door are cash only.

Reservations: 212-533-7739 or at dancetracks@mac.com

For more information on DANCE TRACKS NYC please visit, www.dancetracksnyc.webs.com

Photos of James Kinney, MARCH Cast and LaMae Caparus courtesy of Uptown Specials.