The Paul Taylor Dance Company will present the premieres of “… Byzantium” and “Equinox,” plus four major revivals when the Paul Taylor Dance Company takes over the City Center stage, March 20 – April 15. During its four-week engagement the Company will present a total of seventeen works.
The Taylor Company’s opening night performance will be celebrated with the world premiere of “… Byzantium,” a darkly powerful probing of the decline of civilization that uses as its program note “Of what is past, or passing, or to come,” from Yeats’ “Sailing To Byzantium.” then revealing the with and sensuality of Mr. Taylor’s prodigious imagination, the Company will present “Airs,” “Big Bertha,” and the duet from “Lento” that same evening.
On March 28th the Company will present the New York City premiere of “Equinox,” which was given its first performance at the Kennedy Center on December 1, 1983. With a formality and exuberant musicality that distinguishes Mr. Taylor’s dancey dances, “Equinox” is romantic and deeply emotional in feeling. The music is Brahm’s String Quartet in F Major, Op. 88.
The costumes for both new works are by William Ivey Long. David Gropman, who designed the set for “Snow White,” will create the set for “… Byzantium.” Lighting for both works is by Jennifer Tipton.
Spanning twenty years of Taylor’s work, the Company’s City Center repertory will also include revivals of “Profiles” (1979); “Nightshade” (1979); “Big Bertha” (1970); and “Runes” (1975), plus performances of “Esplanade” (1975); “Arden Court” (1981); “Images” (1977); “Diggity” (1978); “Cloven Kingdom” (1976); “Snow White” (1983); “Duet” (1964); “Lost, Found, Lost” (1982); “Sunset” (1983); and “Mercuric Tidings” (1982).
Following its City Center season the Taylor Company will travel to Europe for six weeks of performances in Paris, Lyon, Madrid, and Barcelona. The Company will be abroad from June 4 – July 14.