MorDance 5th Season Celebrates The Centennial Of Leonard Bernstein

Mordance, in its mission to create modern, relevant movement that maintains the integrity of classical ballet, celebrates their fifth anniversary season this April at Aaron Davis Hall, April 27-28. Premiering two new works on an ensemble of nine, the season will honor the centennial celebration of the great Leonard Bernstein with a new work to a chilling score along side Arvo Pärt's Stabat Mater, inspired by a 13th-century hymn about the crucifixion of Christ. The company will also resurrect a work from their inaugural 2013 season.

Depths Entangled, originally set on 2 men and 5 women, will be reimagined for 4 men and 5 women this season, in an ongoing conversation of the collection of relationships a person builds in a lifetime. Over time, they begin to intertwine and overlap with one another, influencing feelings, thought and development from the obvious romantic or platonic connections, student, teacher, neighbor and stranger. Additionally, in creation for more than one year, the large and weighted score of Arvo Pärt's Stabat Mater explores Mary's mourning and sharing of sorrow following Christ's crucifixion. With focused lighting and raised structures, the illusion of silhouettes and shadows will create a vision of dancers floating and being supported by others, finding moments of rebirth and joy amidst the deep sense of grieving that the music portrays. Lastly, On The Waterfront will pay tribute to the great Leonard Bernstein, who would have been 100 years old this summer. The score, a chillingly beautiful concert suite that was composed for the 1954 film with the same title, is stark, yet lively and tender. In composing for film, Bernstein expressed his frustration in the manipulation and deletion of various parts according to scene and story, exemplifying two art forms hindering the expression of one another. In contrast, McEwen highlights the symbiotic relationship between dance and music, giving On The Waterfront a new wholeness that Bernstein craved.

"When I started this company five years ago I collected friends and dancers in a studio to begin to breathe life into my on- paper concepts, and explore some of the music I was connecting to" explains Morgan McEwen, Artistic Director of MorDance. In five years, taking the stage with our largest collection of artists yet, I have been given freedoms and opportunities I couldn't have ever imagined. A strong commitment to community outreach has given purpose to our mission, generous grants have given us space and time to explore stories and ideas, and audiences have shown us tremendous support and respect in allowing us to push boundaries and challenge old standards. To stand among a roster of female leaders in a male-dominated industry leaves me humbled and hopeful for all that will come after us."

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Season Five will take place on Friday, April 27 and Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 8:00 p.m. at Aaron Davis Hall. Ticket prices are $40, $30, and $20 for students and seniors, available online at http://bit.ly/Mordance5.

Aaron Davis Hall is located on the campus of The City College of New York, at West 135th Street and Convent Avenue (129 Convent Avenue). Convent Avenue is one block east of Amsterdam Avenue and the extension of Morningside Avenue beginning at 127th Street. Aaron Davis Hall is accessible by the 1, B, C, D trains.

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