While this is a generalization, it’s safe to say the most hotly anticipated work of the night was Pite’s Polaris, set to Adès’ work of the same name.
Tag - Minus 16
"AP15, an award-winning work choreographed and danced by urban dance collaborators Sebastien Ramirez and Honji Wang, brought the other "wow" factor to Program 2."
Since becoming artistic director at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 2011, Robert Battle has been steadily mixing up the company’s repertory, adding works by choreographers beyond its usual range: Paul Taylor, Ohad Naharin, and Wayne McGregor, to name just three.
I have yet to see a less than full-throttle performance, even when a choreographer’s style does not quite fit the company’s technique...
The whole thing (Minus 16) wasn’t a piece of choreography so much as a choreographed event, and hands down one of the most delightful things I’ve ever seen.
Another surprising choice was Taylor’s Arden Court (1981), which opened Wednesday evening’s program. The dancers were simply stunning. I hate to say, but the parallel is that Miami City Ballet does Balanchine better than New York City Ballet. Not to denigrate Taylor’s dancers at all...