Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to Chicago for three exhilarating performances March 7th – 9th, 2025, at the Auditorium Theatre at 50 E Ida B. Wells Drive in Chicago, Illinois.
On opening Night, March 7, 2025, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater astounded audiences with beautifully danced performances as they performed four programs: Grace, Finding Free, Cry, and Revelations.
Grace was previously performed in 1999. The new production choreographed by Ronald K. Brown featuring music by various artists, returned in 2024 with Consumes by Omatayo Wunmi Olaiya.
It was a compilation of house music with overtones of Caribbean beats, which added a unique cultural and rhythmic dimension to the performance. The costumes were beautiful and flowed effortlessly with the dancers’ movements. Grace is the perfect title because it is graceful, and the movement, along with the music, can become part of you and propel you to another dimension, enriching your cultural experience.
The second piece in the Program was Finding Free, choreographed by Hope Boykin, with music by Matthew Whitaker and costumes by Hope Boykin and Jon Taylor. Finding Free is a deeply moving and emotionally charged piece that addresses the constant plight of African Americans. The dancers did an excellent job translating the message, portraying the constant daily fear and burdens and the resilience and strength to survive.
The Third piece was Cry: A Tribute to Judith Jamison. This piece was an excerpt from the 1971 dance choreographed by Alvin Ailey. Music by Alice Coltrane, Laura Nyro, and Chuck Griffin. Costumes by A. Christina Giannini. This was a timeless piece, beautifully danced and heartfelt. Judith Jamison was part of the Alvin Ailey Dance for many years, choreographing and creating dances such as Forgotten Time, Hymn, Love Stories, and Among Us for the company. She passed away in New York City on November 9, 2024.
The show culminated with my personal favorite, Revelations. This Program takes you on a profound emotional journey, a story of hope, freedom, and the promise of better days. It’s a spiritual experience that resonates with all generations, leaving the audience deeply moved and connected.
As always, Alvin Ailey delivers solid performances that resonate with all generations. Their music and dance reflect a shared human experience, a testament to the universal appeal of their art, making everyone feel included in this shared cultural experience.
The Auditorium’s 2024-25 performance season features a dynamic mix of cultural events, from ballet to rock and roll and everything in between. More information on The Auditorium Theatre including a complete listing of events.
Run Time: 120 with intermission
Photo Credit: Paul Kolnik, Danica Paulos and Dario Calmese
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