A highly anticipated event, the dynamic and captivating Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre company has returned again to Los Angeles for a limited time. With three distinct programs being featured this weekend, Wednesday night featured “Power of Ailey” which included “Episodes,” “Caught,” “Uprising,” and “Minus 16.” Unlike the other two programs, “Power of Ailey” did not feature Ailey’s most well-known work “Revelations,” which premiered in 1960 and explores the African American experience, remaining the most widely-seen modern dance work in the world.

The night began with the hauntingly beautiful piece “Episodes,” choreographed by Ulysses S. Dove to a percussive and industrial score by Robert Ruggieri. “Episodes” explores the many complexities that exist in human relationships including passion, power struggles, and pain. Belen Pereyra, with her long curly hair, stands out among the dancers as she beautifully embodies these emotions. As is typical of an Ailey dancer, Pereyra is both athletic and graceful, conveying a nuanced balance between strength and vulnerability throughout her performance.

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“Caught” was undoubtedly the crowd favorite, utilizing a unique and complex lighting design (by Howell Binkley) and a seriously powerful dancer (Kirven Douthit-Boyd). “Caught” achieves the impossible by creating a magical illusion onstage. Choreographed and conceptualized by David Parsons, “Caught” uses a strobe-light effect to capture split-second snapshots of movement much like a photographer would. The difference is, these are not photographs we are looking at, it is a dancer in real time moving to create this illusion. While “Caught” is a much shorter piece — likely due to its intense physical demand — it’s amazing ability to re-imagine space and time makes it the exceptional gem in an already exceptional program.

A company premiere, “Uprising” featured an all-male cast of dancers as they overtook the stage with an intense combination of sparring and bonding. Choreographed by Israeli-born Hofesh Shechter, “Uprising” is a particularly exhilarating piece, once again showcasing the incredible athletic abilities of the dancers as well as their power to be emotionally captivating.

The last performance of the night, “Minus 16” began during the intermission with a charmingly funny Samuel Lee Roberts as he discretely danced on the bare stage in his suit. As the last of the audience members shuffled back into the Dorothy Chandler, Roberts was joined by a few other dancers, also in suits, rocking out to the elevator-style music being faintly played in the theater. Suddenly the lights went out and “Minus 16” with the dancers, all in suits, sitting in a semi-circle on stage. Set to beautiful, traditional Israeli music, “Minus 16” is another wonderful work of art, with a heartwarming surprise ending for the audience.

With only five performances left, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will be one you won’t want to miss. As a dance ensemble based in New York, it isn’t very often that this spectacular company is able to share their work with the west coast. Whether you are a seasoned Ailey fan or new to the dance world, the work of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company is consistently inspiring and always breathtaking. 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will be performing at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (135 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles) through Sunday, April 19. Tickets are $34-$138. For more information visit www.MusicCenter.org/Ailey

Contact Theater Editor Savannah L. Barker here.

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