History meets dance as the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company performs “Serenade/The Proposition”, created in honor of the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, at the Israel Festival and the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center. Currently celebrating its 25th year, the company returns to Israel after a 14 year absence and will also perform “Between Us” at the Haifa Auditorium.
“Serenade/The Proposition” uses historical texts – speeches and other writings of Lincoln and his contemporaries, as a backdrop for a work that reflects on the relationship of past to present, and the individual to history.
Amid the settings of The White House, the Pantheon and the elegant ballrooms of Southern mansions designed by Bjorn Amelan, the multi-disciplinary work includes video art by Janet Wong. An original score inspired by Mozart’s Requiem, The Battle Hymn of the Republic and Dixie music by electric cellist Chris Lancaster, Juilliard’s Jerome Begin on piano and text sung by soprano Lisa Komara. Each performance will be preceded by a 6 minute documentary on the background and making of the piece and followed by a discussion with Bill T. Jones and the dancers. “Between Us” is a selection of works from the company’s repertory from the 80s, many of them duets. The work features a range of choreographic styles, body types and unconventional partnering.
Founded after 11 years of collaboration between Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane (1948 – 1988), in which they are said to have “redefined the duet form” through their inclusion of issues such as race, identity and sexuality, the company is celebrating its 25th Anniversary season. Internationally acclaimed choreographer Bill T. Jones has been the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Wexner Award, a MacArthur Fellowship and a Tony Award for his choreography of the musical “Spring Awakening” on Broadway. The 10 member company has performed worldwide in over 200 cities in 30 countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Africa and the UK. Today, the Harlem based company is recognized as one of the most innovative and powerful forces in the modern dance world.
Serenade/The Proposition
June 1 & 2 at 21:00 Israeli Opera House – Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center
19 Shaul Hamelech Boulevard, Tel Aviv, Tickets: 03-6927777
June 5 & 6 at 21:00 Israel Festival, Sherover Hall, Jerusalem Theatre
20 David Marcus Street, Jerusalem, Tickets: 1-700-70-20-15
Between Us
June 7 at Haifa Auditorium
138 HaNassi Boulevard, Haifa, Tickets: 04-8353555
