Last modified: Thursday, March 10, 2011
IU Auditorium presents world-class dance company the Joffrey Ballet
WHAT: The Joffrey Ballet
WHEN: April 5, 8 p.m.
WHERE: IU Auditorium
TICKETS: $10-$30 for IU Bloomington students with a valid ID, and $20-$35 for general public, on sale now. Individual tickets may be purchased online at IUauditorium.com, in person at the IU Auditorium Box Office, as well as through Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. The IU Auditorium Box Office is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2011
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Classically trained dancers from the Joffrey Ballet will perform their interpretations of classic and contemporary pieces at IU Auditorium on April 5 at 8 p.m.
This world-renowned group is known as "America's Ballet Company of Firsts" for good reason: It was the first dance company to perform at the White House, the first to appear on television, the first American ballet company to visit Russia, the first classical dance company to incorporate multimedia into its performances -- and the first, and only, dance company to be featured on the cover of Time magazine.
The company was founded by visionary teacher Robert Joffrey in 1956 and guided by celebrated choreographer Gerald Alpino from 1988 until 2007. While Joffrey remained in New York to teach classes (so he could afford to pay the dancers), Arpino led the troupe across America in a station wagon with a trailer attached, overseeing performances of the company's original choreography.
From the beginning, Joffrey and Arpino wanted a company that came out of their American roots; their youthfulness, original ballets and embrace of pop culture set them apart from other dance companies. Now the troupe resides in Chicago, where artistic director Ashley C. Wheater carries the late Joffrey's name forward. Wheater is teaching and coaching the company toward a widening repertoire that incorporates the best of the 20th century while continually breaking new ground.
The IU Auditorium performance will include "Reflections," with choreography by Gerald Arpino and music by Peter Tchaikovsky; "… smile with my heart," featuring choreography by Lar Lubovitch and music by Richard Rogers; "Sea Shadow," choreographed by Gerald Arpino with music by Ravel; and "Age of Innocence," featuring choreography by Edwaard Liang and music by Phillip Glass and Thomas Newman.
"The Joffrey Ballet's revolutionary style combined with unique and varied choreography -- and exquisite execution -- brought them to the forefront of the classical dance world," said Doug Booher, director of IU Auditorium. "These highly trained dancers move with unparalleled elegance, in a performance that will mesmerize our audience with its flawless beauty."
Before the performance at 7 p.m., there will be a special pre-show talk in the Neal-Marshall Grand Hall by Michael Vernon, chair of the Department of Ballet at the IU Jacobs School of Music.
Vernon, who studied at the Nesta Brooking School of Ballet and the Royal Ballet School in London, arrived in New York City in 1967. He will discuss his experiences with American dance and ballet companies, including the Joffrey Ballet. The talk is free and open to the public.
For more information on the Joffrey Ballet and all 2010-2011 season shows at IU Auditorium visit IUauditorium.com. The Web site features video clips and a selection of songs from this season's performances, in addition to a direct link to the IU Auditorium Facebook Fan Page and Twitter page, whose members receive exclusive benefits throughout the year.
Joffrey Ballet is sponsored by Limestone Grille. The IU Auditorium 2010-2011 season is presented by Curry Auto Center, B97, The Herald-Times, Indiana University Document Service Center, and Indiana University Residential Programs and Services.
