Dance guide: A spring in their step
Credit: Donny Zaltzberg
MARCH
Love Songs – Danish Dance Theatre
March 16 and 17
Tsai Performance Center
685 Comm. Ave., Boston
$60-$75, 617-482-6661
www.celebrityseries.org
Denmark’s largest modern dance company visits just three cities on their U.S. tour this spring, and Boston made the cut. “Love Songs” mixes dance performance with jazz songs by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday.
‘The Sleeping Beauty’
March 22 through April 7
Boston Opera House
539 Washington St., Boston
$29-$137, 617-695-6955
www.bostonballet.org
It’s been an eventful season at the Boston Ballet. In November the company premiered a totally reimaged production of “The Nutcracker” with new sets and costumes that a Metro reviewer called “visually and technically breathtaking.” Ballet goers can look forward to equally enthralling design, choreography and execution at “The Sleeping Beauty.” The well-known story about a slumbering princess earned rave reviews when it was last produced in 2009.
APRIL
Spellbound Dance Company
April 5 and 6
Citi Shubert Theatre
265 Tremont St., Boston
$60-$75, 617-482-6661
www.celebrityseries.org
Boston hosts another European dance company, this time a leading Italian ensemble visiting during its first U.S. tour. The program will include “Lost for Words,” an abstract piece about the role of language in human relations.
‘In the Mind’s Eye’
April 5 through 21
The Sanctuary Theatre
400 Harvard St., Boston
$40, $617-354-7467
www.ballettheatre.org
Two minimalistic composers inspire the José Mateo Ballet Theatre’s production “In the Mind’s Eye.” “Streams” features music by Terry Riley, and John Adams provides the melody for “Fearless Symmetries.” Both scores inspire the dancers and the dancers, but they’re also meant to evoke individual audience interpretations.
Kate Weare Company
April 19 through 20
Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Ave., Boston
$40, 617-876-4275
www.worldmusic.org
Come to this Kate Weare Company show early for a pre-performance talks in the ICA lobby, or stay later for a Q&A afterward with these New York-based contemporary dancers.
‘Spring Works’
April 26 and 27
The Boston Conservatory Theater
31 Hemenway St., Boston
Free, 617-912-9260
www.bostonconservatory.edu
They’re not professionals yet, but the music, dance and theater students at the Conservatory are on their way to the big leagues. And tickets to their shows won’t break the bank. The school’s annual “Spring Works” performance features choreography by Dance Division students. Note: the show is free, but make reservations!
MAY
‘Tappin’ Thru Life’
May 14 through 19
Cutler Majestic Theatre
219 Tremont St., Boston
$25-$89, 617-824-8400
www.artsemerson.org
Dancer, actor and jazz singer Maurice Hines taps audiences through a 40-plus year career in show business, which includes a tribute to his former partner and younger brother Gregory.
Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theater
May 16 through 19
Citi Wang Theatre
270 Tremont St., Boston
$30-$90, 617-482-6661
www.celebrityseries.org
The Ailey company performs “Another Night” for the first time in Boston this spring. The work has deep roots: Choreographer Kyle Abraham was inspired by drummer Art Blakely, who was inspired by musician Dizzy Gillespie.
Prometheus Dance
May 17 through 18
The Boston Conservatory
Theater, 31 Hemenway St., Boston, $35, 617-876-4275
www.worldmusic.org
Mass.-based modern dance company Prometheus Dance celebrates its 25th anniversary with a world premiere, “Heart of the Matter.” The piece, the company’s fifth evening-length work, examines individuality in the face of societal pressure. Artistic directors Diane Arvanites and Tommy Neblette lead the ensemble. The company will stick around for a post-performance Q and A on May 17.
