LIMON AT THE JOYCE Begins 5/8- Season Includes Missa Brevis

The Limón Dance Company returns to The Joyce Theater with a major revival of Limón's magnificent "Missa Brevis," set to Zoltán Kodály's Missa Brevis in Tempore Belli, and joined by international guest dancers Carolina Avendano and Terry Springer from Venezuela's CoreoArte and Kirsten Foote and Julian Nichols from Canada; Limón's "The Unsung," for an all-male cast; Artistic Director Colin Connor's new "The Body is a House Without Walls," for an all-female cast; and three short works commissioned by the Limón Company by exceptional young choreographers Rosie Herrera, Adam Baruch, and Yin Yue.

Founded in 1946, the Limón Dance Company continues to give glorious expression to the resilience of the human spirit. Limón's unique social awareness is more relevant than ever, and the works selected for this season depict our searches for community. "Missa Brevis" is recognized as one of Limón's masterpieces, composed in 1958 after the Company returned from a tour of Europe sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Of the countries visited, Poland was one in particular that vividly bore the scars of war. The cities were still in ruins, yet the people had an optimism and hope about the future which both surprised and inspired Limón. "These people are vital and undefeated," he wrote. "They are without rancor, without hatred. They have a heroic serenity. I found this inspiring. I'm going to do a dance about it - in the ruins I found a dance."

For the music, Limón selected Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály's Missa Brevis in Tempore Belli (Mass in Time of War), completed while the composer was in hiding during the siege of Budapest.

Staging and direction for this revival are by Kristen Foote and Clay Taliaferro. Limón's "The Unsung," with staging and direction by Colin Connor, is a tribute to the spirit and nobility of Native Americans, and to the vitality and prowess of the male dancer.

Created for an all-male cast, the seven dancers represent Metacomet, Tecumseh, Pontiac, Black Hawk, Osceola, Sitting Bull, and Geronimo. Performed to no accompaniment other than the sounds of stamping, running, leaping, and breathing, the choreography is stunning in its invention and gripping in its impact.

"The Unsung" was first performed May 26, 1970 by the Jose Limón Dance Company at The Juilliard Theatre, NYC. Artistic Director Colin Connor has created a new work for an all-female cast.

"The Body is a House Without Walls," is set to music by Beethoven and driven by Adrienne Rich's statement: "Now that I watch you starting to give yourself away to the wind." Continuing its commitment to discovering and encouraging young choreographers, the Company will present works that were commissioned in 2017: "Querida Herida" by Rosie Herrera; "Conjurations" by Adam Barruch; and "No Room for Wandering" by Yin Yue.

PROGRAM A: May 8 & 9 at 7:30 PM; May 10 at 8 PM The Unsung The Body is a House Without Walls Querida Herida Missa Brevis

PROGRAM B: May 11 at 8 PM; May 12 at 2 PM The Unsung The Body is a House Without Walls Conjurations Missa Brevis

PROGRAM C: May 12 at 8 PM, May 13 at 2 PM The Unsung The Body is a House Without Walls No Room for Wandering Missa Brevis The Limón Dance Company has been at the vanguard of dance since its inception in 1946. It was the first dance group to tour internationally under the auspices of the State Department and the first modern dance company to perform at Lincoln Center in New York, as well as twice at The White House.

Thematically, founder Jose Limón possessed a social awareness that transcended distinct groups to address how we all search for commonality, earning him a special place in American culture.

With their arresting visual clarity, theatricality, and rhythmic and musical life, his works continue to influence the evolution of the art form more than 40 years after his passing. To complement the classic works by its founders, the Company has developed a repertory of unparalleled breadth.

This body of work represents new commissions and acquisition by over 45 choreographers, including Doug Varone, Donald McKayle, Lar Lubovitch, Murray Louis, Susanne Linke, Meredith Monk, Ji?i Kylián, and Kate Weare.

The José Limón Dance Foundation was awarded a 2008 National Medal of the Arts, the nation's highest honor for artistic excellence. www.limon.org.