Ailey Theater Starts Season With Tribute to Founder
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NEW YORK — The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater opened its season at the City Center with a tribute to its founder, who died last Friday.
Wednesday evening’s program was remade so that all dances were choreographed by Alvin Ailey, ending with his early masterpiece, “Revelations.”
A large photograph of Ailey from his dancing days was projected behind the dancers as they did an encore. Then, people ranging from backstage crew to former stars, including Judith Jamison, walked on stage, piled flowers on the floor and exited, some waving a goodby.
The emotionally charged evening began with Roberta Flack, singing “Always” meaningfully, accompanying herself on piano.
Harold Levine, the chairman of the board of the 31-year-old company, said that the Ailey school, repertory ensemble and company will continue and that “generations to come will be thrilled and inspired.”
There will be an NBC-TV special by the company, hosted by Bill Cosby, on Christmas Eve.
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