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Diversity in Culture and Movement Lends Contemporary Visions to a Classical Form this Winter

NEW YORK, January 7, 2019 — Brooklyn Ballet, a unique and interdisciplinary dance company rooted in the classical idiom, presents Revisionist History 2, an unprecedented evening of dance that bridges diversity to classicism in a profound way, while exploring movement and its history. With 5 performances, February 13-16, Brooklyn Ballet’s Season takes place in The Mark O’Donnell Theater at The Actors Fund Arts Center in downtown Brooklyn.

On the heels of successfully executing New York’s first and only wholly culturally authentic Nutcracker production, Lynn Parkerson’s directorial interests continue to be woven into the company’s winter season with Pas de Quatre, a work that originally made its premiere in London in 1845, choreographed by Jules Perrot for four of the greatest ballerinas of the time. Adorned in white tutus, the work captured the essence of the Romantic style and demanded a clear execution of the ballet technique; adagio, petite allegro, fast footwork, elegant fluid arm movements, and graceful changes of position. Restaged in 1941 by Anton Dolin, Brooklyn Ballet sets Dolin’s version with a cast of 4 diverse and nuanced ballerinas coached by dance historian and winner of this year’s TanzPreis Munich, Claudia Jeschke. The costumes, designed by Sylvia Nolan, are a testament to the evolution of the 21st Century ballerina with tutus that reflect the dancer’s skin tones, yet stay true to the historical time period, while pianist Julius Abrahams plays Cesare Pugni’s score live. 

In a further exploration of Pas de Quatre, Parkerson previews Quartet, an original piece that mirrors the formations, dynamics and motifs of Pas de Quatre, but employ forms of Hip Hop like popping, flexing, and gliding, performed by four male hip hop artists. This work-in-progress, created in collaboration with Michael Fields, lends context to the mapping of the original ballet, with each hip hop dancer performing an individual variation or solo, in succession, between an opening and finale that are danced by all of the artists together.

Finally, integrating ballet and hip hop together at the same time, Parkerson premieres Intersection, a multi-genre dance for an ensemble of 9; 4 hip-hop dancers, and 5 ballet dancers. Parkerson has been creating integrated works since 2005, and this newest signature mixed-movement piece is created with longtime collaborator Michael Fields.  The music, a city soundscape complete with MTA announcements, is by Malcolm Parson of Turtle Island Ensemble and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. In Intersection the diverse artists of Brooklyn Ballet work together on the stage simultaneously, while furthering the overarching mission of the Company to challenge convention and defy expectations.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Thursday, February 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 14 at 7:30 p.m. Free Beer Friday!

Saturday, February 15 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with Q and A

Sunday, February 16 at 3:00 p.m.

TICKETS and VENUE INFORMATION

General seating is available for $25, student and senior, $15, and children under 12, $10. Premium reserved seating, $50, are available for all performances. 

Tickets available for purchase at https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/34418 or at 718-246-0146.

The Mark O’Donnell Theater at The Actors Fund Arts Center is located at 160 Schermerhorn Street, in downtown Brooklyn, accessible by A, C, F and G trains.

REPERTORY DETAILS 

Pas de Quatre (1845)

Choreography: Anton Dolin after Jules Perrot

Coached by: Claudia Jeschke

Music: Cesare Pugni

Costume Design: Sylvia Nolan

Cast:

Marie Taglioni: Paunika Jones

Fanny Cerrito: Miku Kawamura

Carlotta Grisi: Christine Emi Sawyer

Lucille Grahn: Courtney Cochran

A grand divertissement from eighteenth century, bringing together the four greatest ballerinas of the Romantic Age, the abstract piece honors the signature qualities of each dancer; vivaciousness, expressiveness, coquetry, and ethereal mystery with 4 variations performed in succession between an opening and finale.

Brooklyn Ballet’s Pas de Quatre is presented in partnership with the Sir Anton Dolin Foundation

Quartet | Work in Progress 

Choreography: Lynn Parkerson in collaboration with Michael Fields
Music: Mixed tape and Cesare Pugni

Cast:

Michael “Big Mike” Fields

James “J-Floats” Fable

Bobby “Anime” Major

Ladell “Mr. Ocean” Thomas

A look at 4 forms of hip hop, Quartet mimics the motif, formation and dynamics of Dolin’s eighteenth-century Pas de Quatre, including a solo for each male artist in their specialized style. 

Intersection (Premiere)

Choreography: Lynn Parkerson

Music: Malcolm Parson, cellist

Drummer: Killian Jack Venman

Intersection is an ode to the city, its repetition and routine. The exasperation of it all is apparent throughout, but the city’s energy, community, individuality and human connection shine through. Choreographic cross pollination between the two styles provides the vehicle for this redemptive cityscape. Composer and cellist Malcolm Parson plays live, joined by drummer Killian Jack Venman. 

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ABOUT BROOKLYN BALLET

Founded in 2002 by Artistic Director Lynn Parkerson, Brooklyn Ballet brings a contemporary vision to the treasured art form of ballet, with repertory and programs that revitalize and re-imagine the classical form. The first-of-its-kind in Brooklyn in more than 40 years, the organization is committed to artistic accomplishment, education and community engagement. In 2009, Brooklyn Ballet opened the doors to its first permanent home at The Schermerhorn— built and managed by Common Ground and The Actors Fund. The ground level space provides Brooklyn Ballet with a storefront dance studio, access to a 99-seat black box theatre, dressing rooms, and administrative space. As a community dance institution, the Brooklyn Ballet School offers youth and adult ballet classes, allowing dancers to learn and develop their skills alongside professionals of all backgrounds. Brooklyn Ballet’s Elevate in-school dance residencies offer children scholarships and opportunities to participate in the rigors of ballet training.

Brooklyn Ballet’s programs are made possible in part by The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in Partnership with The New York City Council; Council Member Alan Maisel, Council Member Stephen Levin, Council Member Mathieu Eugene, Council Member Robert Cornegy, Council Member Laurie Cumbo, Sills Family Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts, The Howard Gilman Foundation, Corcoran Cares, The Curtis W. McGraw Foundation, Mertz Gilmore Foundation, The John N. Blackman Foundation, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc., The Harkness Foundation for Dance,, Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation, Alloy, Park Avenue Charitable Fund.