Walter’s World: Weekend Picks Dance, Theater and American Folk Opera

By Walter Rutledge

This weekend dance, theatre, and American folk opera take center stage in the city that never sleeps. After presents have been opened and holiday meals devoured this may be a great time for family and friends to get out and enjoy the cultural gifts the city has to offer. Here are a few of the many events taking place.

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is now in the fourth week of their five-week season at The New York City Center (131 west 55th Street). Tickets start at $25 can be purchased online at AlvinAiley.org or NYCityCenter.org, by telephone 212- 581- 1212 and at the box office.

Friday December 23, 8pm. Home (Harris), Forgotten Time (Jamison), In/Side (Battle), Love Stories (Jamison, Battle, Harris)

Saturday December 24 2pm. Arden Court (Taylor), Cry (Ailey), The Hunt (Battle), Revelations (Ailey)

Saturday December 24, 8pm. Anointed (Huggins), Love Stories (Jamison, Battle, Harris), Revelations (Ailey)

Sunday December 25, 7:30pm. Streams (Ailey), Journey (Trisler), Minus 16 (Naharin), Revelations (Ailey). This performance celebrates former Ailey dancer Mari Kajiwara.

 

Stickfly is now at the Cort Theater, 138 West 48th Street, between 6th and 7th Avenues. Producer Alicia Keys, Director Kenny Leon and Playwright Lydia R. Diamond bring to the stage a glimpse of middle class black life. It was suppose to be a relaxing weekend on Martha’s Vineyard … until the baggage got unpacked. Meet the LeVays.  When two adult sons independently choose to introduce their girlfriends to the parents on the same weekend, sibling rivalries flare, opinions clash, class distinctions divide and family secrets unravel. For ticket information call: inside the NY metro area (212) 239-6200, 
outside the NY metro area (800) 432-7250 and at Telecharge.com.

The epic American folk opera Porgy and Bess returns to Broadway after more than a quarter century absence. The new production began preview performances on December 17 and will officially open on January 12, 2012. This new production has been streamlined to a two and a half hour and is now billed as a musical. The production stars four time Tony Award winning actress Audrey McDonald and Norm Lewis and includes David Alan Grier as Sportin’ Life, Nikki Renee Daniels as Clara and Phillip Boykin as Crown, and features the choreography of Ronald K. Brown. For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com. The Richard Rodgers Theatre is located at 226 West 46th Street.

As always thank you for letting me share my world with you.

Happy Holidays.

In Photo: 1) Phillip Boykin and Audrey McDonald in rehearsal for Porgy and Bess  2) Cast of Anointed 3) Cast of Stickfly 4) Cast of Porgy and Bess

Photo By: 1) Chad Batka 2) Ellen Crane

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One Response to Walter’s World: Weekend Picks Dance, Theater and American Folk Opera

  1. happy holiday season and all the best
    to everyone in this coming new year..
    remind yourselves today and forever more
    that the promise is already given
    the promise is already begotten
    and the freedom already rendered to
    this a “people” stand firm in freedom
    and take your rightful place .. this is from
    the creator .. whom creates all things and
    in the form of expression to the talents and
    the humaness . i thank you .. and let us
    all embrance freedom .. let freedom ring
    in your hearts .. it is done
    simple terms and no conditions
    from a faithful believer
    takle care and thanks agains!!
    PEACE brethren!!!

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