Sony Centre tWelcomes Twyla Tharp's 50th Anniversary Tour Tonight

The iconic Twyla Tharp is celebrating the 50th anniversary of her 1965 choreographic debut of Tank Dive with an American tour that includes one special stop in Toronto at the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts. It has been over two decades since Twyla Tharp Dance last performed in Toronto.

With 12 new Tharp dancers, the choreographer will premiere a double bill of new works featuring the music of J.S. Bach, Henry Butler, Steven Bernstein, and John Zorn's vibrant introductory FANFARE. The first new dance, PRELUDES AND FUGUES, set to J.S. Bach's "Well-Tempered Clavier," radiates with Tharp's generous spirit and humanity. The wild and raucous humour that Tharp finds in the jazz of Henry Butler and Steve Bernstein runs rampant through YOWZIE, the second new dance.

An artist who has crossed over all dance styles and broken boundaries in the form, Twyla Tharp's signature style is an eclectic integration of classical discipline and vocabulary with avant-garde rebellion. She has choreographed more than 160 works for film, Broadway, Television, even the skating rink, and 129 dances for such companies as American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, New York City Ballet, The Boston Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, The Martha Graham Dance Company, Miami City Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and Canada's own Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Deuce Coupe, her ballet for The Joffrey set to the music of The Beach Boys, is widely-considered the first successful cross-over ballet and is a staple in the company's repertoire.

In 1976 Twyla Tharp choreographed Push Comes to Shove for Mikhail Baryshnikov, with whom she went on to share a long-time artistic partnership. In 1981 Tharp commissioned David Byrne to compose the music for her first Broadway production, The Catherine Wheel. In 2003 Tharp won the Best Choreography Tony Award for Movin' Out, which she set to the songs of Billy Joel. Tharp's Hollywood hits include Hair, Amadeus, and Ragtime with director Milos Forman.

For 50 years Twyla Tharp's singular imagination has been changing and shaping the American dance and entertainment canons. Today, Ms. Tharp continues to create.

Sony Centre For The Performing Arts presents TWYLA THARP 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR, October 30- November 1, 2015, playing Friday & Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 2pm at the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts, 1 Front Street East, Toronto. Tickets prices range from $55-$95 (Ticket prices do not include service and delivery fees)and can be can be purchased in person at the Sony Centre Box Office, 1 Front Street East,over the phone at 1-855-872-SONY (7669) or online at www.sonycentre.ca.

Sony Centre For The Performing Arts, Toronto's first performing arts centre, has played a defining role in the cultural life of Toronto for more than 50 years. Today, the Sony Centre's mission is to unite the global citizens of Toronto through great artistic experiences. @SonyCentreTO

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