Dance Theatre of Harlem is a Detroit favorite returning to the Detroit Opera House after their 2023 performances. Arthur Mitchell created the company in New York City after making history in 1955 as the first black principal dancer at New York City Ballet. He was also the famed protégé of George Balanchine, the “Father of American Ballet.” Their Detroit program will feature pieces created by Robert Garland, Jodie Gates and other iconic works.
- Artistic Director: Robert Garland
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PROGRAM
:
Nyman String Quartet No. 2
Passage of Being
- Intermission -
Take Me With You
Firebird
Choreography by Robert Garland
Set to Michael Nyman’s “String Quartet No.2,” DTH Artistic Director Robert Garland continues his signature exploration of the intersection of cultures that is contemporary America. Complex and witty, this sophisticated work shows off the unique capacity of the company’s artists to code-switch with abandon.
“This work is dedicated to the memory of two men whom I admire: John Wesley Carlos, former track and field medal winner at the 1968 Summer Olympics, well known for his triumphant salute upon the winners podium that year, and Dance Theatre of Harlem’s Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus, Mr. Arthur Mitchell (1924-2018)….” – Robert Garland
Choreography by Jodie Gates
Back by popular demand, Passage of Being premiered as part of the DTH’s 2025 New York Season. A circular, and physical work, Passage of Being unfolds in three cinematic movements set to the evocative music of Oscar-nominated composer Ryan Lott (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”). Shifting perspectives and the bittersweet beauty of time’s swift journey are brought to life through Gates’ expressive choreography and inventive lighting by Michael Korsch with elegant costumes by Martha Chamberlain. At its heart of this elliptic ballet is the majestic and haunting Son Lux song, “Don’t Say It’s Too Late.” Gates weaves these elements into a poignant reflection on love, connection, and the power of the present.
Choreography by Robert Bondara
A contemporary pas de deux set to the music of Radiohead. Robert Bondara on creating Take Me With You: The catchy percussion beat of the Radiohead song “Reckoner” became the first trigger and source of inspiration for movement language and choreography. Getting deeper into the creative process and vague lyrics of the song in a very personal way, the content of the choreography got closer to reflecting about our existence, our efforts to grasp the meaning of life despite “bittersweet distractors.” What is essential for the piece is metaphysical experience, an elusive atmosphere determining the relationship.
Choreography by John Taras
“Firebird,” where a Russian folk tale about the triumph of love over evil is reimagined in a luscious Caribbean setting. John Taras’ choreography, paired with Stravinsky’s iconic score, comes to life through the inimitable multihyphenated Geoffrey Holder’s vibrant sets and costumes. This production, a DTH signature classic, was first created in 1982 and captivated audiences when it toured across the world. “…it does one thing other versions do not – send its audience into a whooping spell of delirium.”
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