The world-renowned Ailey company will stop in Chicago for a rigorous week-and-a-half of performances, allotting them time to showcase old and new, American and European, contemporary and modern, narrative and abstract, jazz, classical, gospel, pop and hip-hop. The programs slated for Ailey’s ten-day run are an ambitious collection of eight stylistically diverse pieces spanning decades and continents. Highlights? Hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris’ gospel-house scored “Home,” inspired by people living with HIV; the first performance of “The Lion King” choreographer Garth Fagan’s “From Before” by a company besides his own; and the first time the Ailey dancers perform “Petite Mort” by Jiri Kylian, the influential director of Nederlands Dans Theatre. The company will also reprise “Minus 16” by Ohad Naharin, which they danced with ferocity, playfulness and disarming wit last year. There’s a new one by up-and-comer Kyle Abraham, and old one by artistic director Robert Battle, a seminal piece by Ronald K. Brown and, of course, Ailey’s gospel masterpiece “Revelations,” which closes each night. (Sharon Hoyer)
At the Auditorium Theatre, 50 East Congress, (800)982-2787. Friday, March 8-Sunday, March 17. $32-$92.
