October 28, 2010
Martha Graham Dance Company to appear at Meany Nov. 4-6
The Martha Graham Dance Company will perform as part of the World Dance Series at Meany Hall Nov. 4-6. All concerts are at 8 p.m.
Founded in 1926 by dancer-choreographer Martha Graham, the company is the oldest and perhaps most celebrated dance company in America. Under director Janet Eilber, the company continues to evolve and to present new work. Their last appearance in Seattle was in 2003.
The performance opens with Prelude & Revolt, a multimedia event that charts the era when Martha Graham discovered her revolutionary new approach to dance and theater. This suite of dances includes repertory from her Denishawn beginnings to the stark, explosive imagery of Steps in the Street from 1936 — a reaction to the rise of fascism in Europe.
The program will also feature Lamentation Variations, conceived in 2007 to commemorate the anniversary of 9/11. The piece is comprised of three new works created by contemporary choreographers in response to a film from the early 1930s of Martha Graham dancing movements from her iconic solo, Lamentation.
Maple Leaf Rag, Graham’s humorous and loving tribute to the choreographic muse rounds out the program.
Janet Eilber, artistic director of the Martha Graham Dance Company, will give a free pre-show talk each night. The talks begin at 7:10 p.m. in the main auditorium. There will also be a post-show lecture on Friday, Nov. 5 featuring Eilber and Dance Professor Elizabeth Cooper.
Tickets for the concerts are $46, $44 for faculty, staff and alumni and $20 for students. They are available at the Arts Ticket Office, 206-543-4880 or online at www.meany.org.
