BWW Reviews: The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater Comes to Charlotte - Don't Miss It

THE Alvin Ailey AMERICAN DANCE THEATER is in Charlotte at Blumenthal Performing Arts, Knight Theater at Levine Center for the Arts, 430 South Tryon Street until Sunday, May 20, 2012. Tickets on sale now at the Blumenthal Box Office: 704-372-1000

I saw the program. It was inspiring and uplifting. The cohesive choreography included "Arden Court," "Home," "Journey" and "Revelations." The dancers performed with a controlled strength, gliding, leaping and soaring.

The program celebrates the power of dance including ballet, hip-hop and modern dance with an African-American soul including songs that sing spiritual and gospel. A side note, I would have appreciated live musicians interpreting the music. The program takes us through the recesses of our inner core, sometimes disquieting, sometimes ethereal. "Revelations," a program favorite (seen more worldwide than any other ballet,) shows the human spirit coming up from adversity. The staging and choreography are beautiful. "Take Me To the Water" with white costuming and blue streaming quivering silks, symbolize water, baptism and renewed spirit. In the yellow section in "Move Members Move," the women show strength; the men are proud.

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater started in the 92nd Street Young Men's Hebrew Association in New York, led by Alvin Ailey and a group of young African-American modern dancers. Over fifty years later, now led by Artistic Director, Robert Battle, Alvin Ailey Dance Theater has sustained a heightened relevance. Don't miss it!

Program Descriptions: May 17 at 7:30 p.m., Ailey's "Memoria"; Robert Battle's "Takademe" and "The Hunt"; "Revelations." ?May 18 at 8 p.m.: Ailey's "Streams"; Ulysses Dove's "Urban Folk Dance"; Ohad Naharin's "Minus 16"; "Revelations." May 19 at 2 and 8 p.m.: Paul Taylor's "Arden Court"; Rennie Harris' "Home"; Joyce Trisler's "Journey"; Ailey's "Revelations." May 20 at 3 p.m.: Ailey's "Memoria"; Robert Battle's "Takademe" and "The Hunt"; "Revelations."

Linda Ann Watt is a member of SAG, AFTRA and AEA and owns Corlin Productions, a union franchised production house. Through Corlin Productions, Watt has written and directed film, television, documentaries, commercials and educational programs with celebrity guests including Betty White, Nell Carter, Dom DeLuise, Aaron Neville, Tippi Hedren and Sid Caesar. Watt teaches two acting & scene study classes at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center—the Master Class using "Method" techniques and the Workshop Advanced for working actors, directors and writers. Watt has been a recipient of a Grass Roots Arts Project (GAP) Grant 2008-2012, awarded through the Union County Community Arts Council (UCCAC) and the North Carolina Arts Council for an Enrichment Arts Program teaching acting and filmmaking & editing to youth, coordinated though Union County Public School (UCPS). Watt produces lectures featuring entertainment industry and celebrity guests for the Charlotte community. As a past executive board member of Women In Film in Los Angeles, Watt chaired and produced the Academy Awards© Viewing Party four consecutive years, which became an annual top Hollywood event. Watt has appeared in movies, television stage and national commercials. Watt is presently in post-production with her children’s series for Funny Productions, a division of Corlin Productions and she has been asked to direct a feature film "Thirty Day Promise" in late summer. For more information: www.corlinproductions.com

More Articles by This Author...