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Few choreographers have had as profound an impact on American dance as Twyla Tharp. In these three astounding one acts, classical ballet mixes with modern forms, demonstrating Tharp’s mastery of movement. This breadth of style is supported by the melodies of Johannes Brahms, the chill vibes of 1960s beach rock, and the compelling modern aesthetic of Philip Glass.
Exhilarating with high energy and bravura steps, this ABT commission features thirty dancers powerfully immersed in choreographic counterpoint that fills the stage with activity, refracted and multiplied as in a kaleidoscope. Performed to one of Brahms’s personal favorites, Variations on a Theme by Haydn for Orchestra, Tharp’s inventive work reaches a new peak of the choreographer’s opus for large-cast classical ballets.
A groundbreaking work first presented in 1973, Twyla Tharp’s Deuce Coupe contrasts classical vocabulary with playful sounds of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Featuring music by The Beach Boys, Deuce Coupe juxtaposes the ballet vocabulary that has evolved more than 300 years with another movement vocabulary that is loosely based on contemporary social dances.
A ballet in nine parts, In the Upper Room is one of ABT’s most impressive performances. Tharp’s choreography calls for both raw power and extreme grace. Bold kinetic movements blend with Philip Glass’s propelling score, creating a transcendent experience for both audience and dancers.